The Swiss Just Made a Better Seiko Turtle.

The Certina PH1000m is an impressive dive watch, but can it dethrone the Willard from my collection?

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[davidmwatches]

I own the Certina PH1000m and love it. A lot of people here are saying the orange minute hand on the yellow dial creates a contrast issue--that's exactly the point. In the Tektite II Program, they found this yellow-orange dial provides the best visibility underwater. The lumed hands are meant to be viewed against that dial underwater. The contrast is seen underwater, which how you know this is a true mechanical dive watch, and a great reissue. Hurry if you want one of these--they are selling out fast!

[gregalonzo]

While on active duty in the Marine Corps I picked up a Willard. The watch did serve its purpose, I found it to be just OK. Since retiring to Europe I have become a big fan of Certina, Alpina, and and Squale. You also mentioned Doxa. Also one of my favorite brands.

[MbTrojansurgeon]

Fun fact: the Certina does have some serious military history behind it…NZ and Aussie divers and special forces were issued the Turtle (among a few others as well).

HELSON watches, made a near exact recreation of the Turtle for a while. The early Helson/Certina homage pieces were limited and had an incredible spec and build quality-using the ETA 2892. I’m extremely happy with mine, and will definitely be adding the Certina to my collection soon as well.

[THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR]

Oh hell no Max ……. Hell no they didn’t !!!

[luckie]

Actually this Certina has quite interesting history, it was used during Tektite II program in the 70s, co-funded by NASA with 5 Aquanauts living & researching in a small space under water. it was also issued to Royal Australian Navy in the 70s, so there you go, pretty solid heritage.

[ams]

It's my understanding that watches don't need helium escape valves to go ANY DEPTH. They need them for saturation divers, who wind up in depressurization chambers. The expanding helium from those chambers would make the crystals pop off. We associate He valves with watches that go deep, but that's a mistake. They're also on Omega SMPs, and those don't go especially deep. Because depth isn't what they're for.

[raffaeltondeur]

Would choose the great Certina DS PH1000M, which was used in the Tektite II (NASA) and by the Australian Navy.

[charles_the_elder]

To meet current ISO specs to be a "Diver" watch there needs to be a lumed marker at 3 (as of 2021). The Seiko has one, but the Certina doesn't. Why would Certina go to the trouble of building a spec monster watch and miss the one step that would make them an ISO certified diver? I like the Certina, but I love the Seiko.

[Msgt_Slim]

Speaking as a certified Swissophile, I wouldn't never kick The Willard out of bed for this Certina. It's a great watch, but it ain't no Willard.

[figodwnnieto]

You totally ignored the fact the Certina watches also have a military background.

[jrgdrumsandwatches]

Certina makes the best divers for the pricerange and this one is a true no nonsense tool diver. It's built like a tank and it probably will survive you. I own the black dial one and it's hands down the best diver I ever had (and thats including the Submariner and Seamaster)

[Xyrium]

Great take on these two pieces. I've come to the same conclusion as you, Willard gets the nod. Still Certina is doing some truly great work under 1k.

[mitchmatic]

The Willard. I have the same one. Love it. Perfection.

[nikkolomakaveli]

Love me some Seiko designs but that bezel issue lends credit to Certina being superior in my mind I’m gonna give this to Certina

[ProfessorPesca]

Definitely the right answer here. That Willard case is just so snug on the wrist, I also love the massive contrast between the matte bezel insert and the shiny sapphire when you hold it at an angle. I was tempted by the Certina definitely, but there’s just something off about the dial design for me. The best looking bit of it is that conical bezel though, wow.

[MokChweeSeah-vv]

I personally think so based on your video presentation. Better movement & Swiss made. Certina sits under the swatch umbrella now & Certina has it own history as well for narrative. 😊

[rjeepster]

I think you need to look at your Willard again. It’s a semi flat. It has a slight dome to the crystal, which makes for a vintage aesthetic that you can’t do without.

[Cmdtheartist]

I wore my friend's mini turtle for a week and it was pretty sweet. I'm sure Certina does a good job, though.

[RobbyWheelerGuitar]

I also own the spb237 and I'd pick it over this certina every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Just way more character imo

[alwayspooh]

The yellow Certina does it for me. Great video Max, as always!