Certina DS Action Diver 38 vs. Tudor Pelagos 39

That’s odd, I just took a break from reading that article to see what was going on here. I’ll let you know what I think when I finish reading, but the short answer is the Certina isn’t going to “kill” the Tudor.

EDIT: well, I think the article nailed it. Comparing watches on specs only works when the perception of the two brands is roughly equal, and here that’s not the case. This looks like a really interesting watch, but it can’t compete with the perception of luxury the Tudor has. Plus, I don’t think many people will be in the market for a Tudor then buy a Certina.

For me, it hasn't really worked out with Certina yet. The 38mm divers look good on paper, but the previous models never convinced me when I tried them on. But I'm looking forward to the new Titanium 38mm. Overall, the models (especially chronographs) are much too big for my wrist 😭 So far, practically all Tudor models have convinced me, except the Royal (I thought it was brilliant until I tried it on, it just doesn't fit for me) and the Pelagos, where I definitely prefer the BB.

I would take the Certina for the following reasons:

1. The price, though still expensive, is something I could see myself paying if I had the money to spend on it freely.

2. I find the snowflake hands of Tudors ugly, so I probably wouldn't get a Tudor of any kind even if they weren't so ridiculously expensive.

Certina for the look and the price.

The Tudor is without a doubt a great watch but :

-I really dislike snowflake hands, square indexes

-I find it way too often in the articles/top charts/recommendations, that make me run the other way

-Too Expensive (In my terms of expensive)

Own a Certina DS two-tone 38 STC special edition. Wearing it today. Own the Tudor 58 925. Love both.

The Titanium Certina is on my wants list and will buy without trying it on. Have actually already spoken with an AD in the Middle East as there is no AD in the US and I am not buying from the Donkeys. Once the demand cools down, I will get a discount offered to me from the out of country AD.

The Pelagos 39 is also on the to buy list. Why not have both?

Funnily enough I've been after a tough GADA watch I can take on holiday that can go from serious adventure sports to a nice meal out (so something a bit posher than a G-shock). I wanted a quartz and was actually debating between a TAG aquaracer and a Certina. Settled on a Certina DS action diver in the end. It just looks like a really gorgeous watch. Solid build, DS system, 300m WR, Precidrive quartz, COSC and got it for £380 new.

I just couldn't justify paying £1700 for the equivalent in a TAG, which doesn't even match those specs.

Certina suffers from lack of advertising. If they got some decent brand embassadors and, ironically, raised their prices, I actually think people would start to look at them more.

10-20 years ago, I thought there was too much overlap between Certina and Tissot. Certina's brand identity (divers, COSC-Quartz drive, etc.) has certainly improved in the meantime. For me, the size of the watches often speaks against the brand.

I also thought about an Aquaracer for a long time. But I just can't put it in relation to the price... there is simply too little offered.

Up to now, I have had a DS Podium Square (dress watch) and a Nautic (inherited from my grandfather) from Certina.

If perception is what elevates the Tudor over the Certina and is worth 4 times what better spec is worth, then would not an Omega Planet Ocean 600M 37.5mm in titanium at a mere twice the price of the Tudor be the best bet? Better specs and without the perception that you can't afford the Rolex you really want.

Yea, I fully realize that to enthusiasts it doesn't necessarily have that perception, but the enthusiast also doesn't have the perception that Tudor is better than Certina just due to the name on the dial. Due to better finishing, better bracelet, better movement? Sure, but not just the name.

That said, I voted for the Certina based purely on aesthetics.