Vintage Certina?

the mark by the balance tells the maker.

Thanks for your reaction. I can't seem to find the certina markings, do you reckon it's fake?

https://mitka.co.uk/certina-serial-number-by-year/#:~:text=Date%20your%20Certina%20by%20looking%20at%20the%20serial%20number.

this is an ETA 2879.

yours looks legit. Mumbai specials usually end up with Miyota 8xxx series movements

Nice! That's good news. I still can't find the actual serial number but I'm confident enough to make an offer

Here's an (incomplete) listing of Certina movements.

Certina definitely used 2781 and 2789 ETAs as base movements so a 2879 (identical to the 2789 in all dimensions other than depth) isn't out of the question.

Cool. Thanks for your reply!

look for serial between the lugs

I definitely wouldn't call myself an expert but I collect and know a reasonable amount about vintage Certina.

I have never come across this particular ref.

Certina created their last in-house movements in '76 (the 919 / 920 series) and after production ceased they used ébauche movements - mostly from ESA/ETA but also from AS and Valjoux, Lemania etc.

Your watch looks like it's from an era where an ETA movement is appropriate and details of exactly what Certina produced towards the end of the 70's / start of the 80's aren't easy to find.

My gut is telling me Franken. Vintage Certina quality was no joke - they were very well made watches and always carried a deciferable serial number. Something about your watch looks a little … off (sorry, but you asked! 🤷🏻).

What does the underside of the case back say?

Where did you buy it and did it come from a trusted seller with a history of selling genuine vintage Certina and other brands?

Is your comment about Indian frankens a joke or is it actually from India?

The answers to these questions often tell you a lot. ☻

If it's a genuine Certina case (I'm unsure that it is) there should be a 7 digit number (first 2 numbers are the calibre, second 2 the case material and last 3 the ref number) somewhere on the caseback, but these numbers are hard to trace / decifer from the mid 70's on, hence the number of Certina frankens from the era.

The dial looks a little off too tbh.

Here's a link to known Certina serial numbers:

https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/certina-serial-number-system.982877/#post-7369910

Hope this helps. As far as I know everything I've said is more or less accurate - but most of it is from memory and I don't consider myself an expert. For someone who is a legit expert hit up the forums. Someone will know!

Good luck.

The seller is actually pretty respected with 150 reviews and a 4,5/5 stars. However, I couldn't find a serial number and when the price looks too good to be true... I'm still torn if I should just bite the bullet because I actually like the look of it and it has a great movement to my knowledge 🤷. Vintage watches really feel like a minefield. Im thankful for your expertise!

Expertise is probably too big a word for it, but you're welcome. ☻

I think there's merit in 'I just like the watch' tbh. One of my favourite DS's was cobbled together from parts with a freshly serviced movement and all new seals - so the WR and shock resistance is as it was from new. I'll take that over originality sometimes if the price is right and I can wear it without worry.

This hobby can be so frickin serious - it doesn't hurt to roll with the punches every now and then, at least imo.

And there's the distinct possibility that I'm wrong and it is 100% legit. As you said - vintage is a minefield and this era of Certina is particularly difficult to place.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

☻

Truer words have never been spoken. At the same time, it feels a bit scammy to not say it is Franken IF he is aware that it is. Thanks for your input, I'll decide today!

Beautiful - Certina's now get more wrist time than Seiko's for me recently (dont wven know how many Seiko's I own), ❤️ the Certina DS Multi 8 is close to watch perfection for my daily needs (one of my few non wind up watches I own ironically).