Category: CERTINA

We are five days away from Christmas and we asked members of our team to present us with suggestions for watches for three different budgets, the only condition we set was that they all had to be 2023 releases and that each brand could not be more than once suggested. 

We define a friendly budget that goes up to €1,000, a commitment budget between €1,001 and €5,000 and a lifetime budget starting at €5,001 and with the sky’s limit. 

And today we start with the Friendly Budget, with five suggestions that we now present: 

Baltic HMS 002 Gold PVD

A few weeks ago, Baltic presented a trio of three watches that came with a steel case with gold PVD and a glossy black dial. We don’t know if it was already thinking about this festive season, but if it wasn’t the truth is that it fit like a glove. The three models chosen were the beautiful and elegant MR 01, Bicompax 002 and the HMS 002 and to tell the truth it was difficult for us to choose one as our favorite, my personal choice was the HMS 002. 

The watch comes with very moderate dimensions of 38mm in diameter, 13mm in thickness and 47mm lug-to-lug distance (ok, here it could come with shorter lugs), hesalite glass (sapphire would sound better), open back case , black dial with gilt accents, Arabic numerals and three central hands. Powered by the Miyota 8315 automatic movement that offers up to 60 hours of power reserve, the watch arrives on a black leather strap. 

What captivated me most about the watch is its retro appearance substantiated by the sector dial, which is joined by a modern and reliable mechanical movement and which is now joined by a classic touch produced by the case in golden tones matching the accents on the black dial. All this for less than €500 sounds like a bargain. 

Duarte Camacho

Certina DS Super PH1000M

Certina is one of those brands with a huge history of quality dive watches at unbeatable prices, one of its latest launches based on models from the 70s was the new DS Super PH1000M, which arrived in two variants, one with a black dial that went being part of the regular collection and another with a beautiful orange dial in a limited edition of 1,000 pieces. 

The watch wears a 42mm diameter steel tonneau case and only 43.50mm lug-to-lug distance which makes it adjustable even on smaller wrists, diving bezel with a diameter smaller than the width of the case, sapphire crystal, screw-down crown and case back, and an impressive 1,000m of watertightness. On the dial applied rectangular hour markers which, like the hands and pip-lume on the bezel, are filled with Super-LumiNova and also a date window at 3 o’clock next to the crown. Inside runs the reliable Powermatic 80 automatic movement which, as the name suggests, offers up to 80 hours of power reserve. 

My favorite is undoubtedly the limited edition, whose orange dial transports us to other eras of underwater exploration and is in my opinion one of the best releases in its category for around €860 in the regular version and €910 in the limited edition, a great value for the money. 

Ricardo Amaral 

Timex Marlin Automatic x Peanuts Gang’s All Here

The Timex Marlin first appeared in the 60s and as an economical alternative to dress watches, it took more than half a decade for the elegant watch to be reborn, with its relaunch arriving in 2017. Since then, many variants have been presented and all with mechanical movement, first with a manual movement in a 34mm case and more recently with a 40mm automatic movement. 

Among our favorites are some models that come adorned with the ‘Peanuts’ cartoons and with emphasis, of course, on their central figure, ‘Snoopy’, this year we were treated to the automatic 40mm ‘Peanuts Gang’s All Here’ model that brings together all the family in color on a silver dial, to which some interesting details are added, such as the back glass that is painted with many of the Peanuts figures and the leather strap that holds the watch engraved with ‘Woodstock’ in action . 

The watch may fit a little big on smaller wrists like mine, but it is still elegant and at the same time fun, capable of making us smile, and for just €269. 

Inês Dias 

Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 35MM

It was undoubtedly one of the most anticipated launches of the year and we can see why, as despite this year we have seen countless watch alternatives with an integrated bracelet arrive on the market inspired by Gerald Genta’s design between the 60s and 70s, the Tissot PRX continues to offer one of the most beautiful designs at an unbeatable price. 

The new Tissot PRX in 35mm, apart from the automatic movement and the aesthetic details on the dial, brings absolutely nothing new other than a new size that already existed with Quartz movement. 

This version undoubtedly raises the bar as, in addition to the unmissable automatic movement owned by the Swatch Group, the dial is much more elegant, materialized in a waffle pattern, a date window that now comes with a silver frame matching the hands and hour markers, and the inscription ‘Powermatic 80’ just after the ‘PRX’ which gives greater balance to the dial. The same can be said in relation to the four initial color variants on the dial in black, blue, green and white mother-of-pearl, which have now been joined by two others in light blue and full gold PVD. 

My favorite is undoubtedly the white mother-of-pearl for its versatility and because it isn’t just in white, with prices ranging between €745 and €875 (gold PVD version). 

Nuno Sampaio 

Seiko Presage Cocktail Time Irori Moments SRPK50J

The Cocktail Time line included in the Presage collection has always accustomed us to beautiful textured dials inspired by Japanese spirit drinks, and this latest addition I would say is the cherry on top of the cake. A beautiful textured gold-tone dial that intensifies from the center outward and matches the rose gold plating of the case and accents on the dial. 

The watch is presented in a polished round case with dimensions of 40.50mm in diameter (needless to say, we would have liked it much more if it was a 38 or 36mm before), 11.80mm thick and 47mm lug-to-lug distance, hardless glass (it’s a shame), signed crown, open case back that highlights the golden rotor of its 4R35 automatic movement that offers 41 hours of power reserve and for an approximate value of €720. 

Unfortunately, it is a limited edition of 1,000 units and exclusive to the Australian market, which made us wonder if we should bring it here, but like all good things, it should be made known. Who knows, maybe you might be the one who knows a local resident who can help you get one. 

Bruno Lopes