Certina’s new DS-X is one of the best affordable adventure watches around

I love an adventure watch. The Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition, Seiko Alpinist, Bremont Terra Nova – anything that looks like it belongs on a compass-wielding wrist halfway up a mountain. Never mind that I’ve never actually used a compass bezel for its intended purpose. I just like knowing it’s there…

Certina clearly gets that. Its new DS-X collection isn’t some heritage reissue or military throwback – it’s a fresh, modern tool watch that looks built for the wilderness.

At the heart of the DS-X GMT is a neat dual-bezel setup: one is a proper compass bezel (yes please), while the other is a 24-hour fixed ring for tracking multiple time zones. The GMT hand adds a third if you’re that kind of traveller.

At 41mm across, it strikes a wearable balance – rugged without overdoing it. It’s rated to 200m water resistance, with a screw-down crown and the brand’s new “DS Concept Extreme Shock Resistance” system. That means it can handle the kind of real-world knocks and drops you’d expect during outdoor use, whether you’re scrambling over rocks, slipping on a trail, or just banging your wrist on a doorframe.

Certina says it exceeds ISO 1413 shock standards, helped along by its HeavyDrive tech, which counters knocks with some clever internal wizardry. If the watch experiences a shock – say, it’s dropped or hit – HeavyDrive actively stabilises the seconds hand to stop it from jumping or misaligning.

And the lume? Super-LumiNova. Of course.

There are five versions at launch. The standout might be the white dial with turquoise rubber strap and a blue/orange day-night bezel – it’s equal parts explorer and summer holiday.

The rest are moodier: grey dials, black or steel bracelets, green or red accents depending on the bezel. Each GMT hand matches the colour pop – a nice touch that keeps the design tight.

Available now on Certina’s website, prices start at just £480 (approx. US$650) on rubber, or £500 (approx. US$700) with a steel bracelet. For a Swiss-made GMT with proper travel-ready specs, that’s hard to argue with.

Will I actually use the compass bezel to navigate my way out of the woods? Probably not. But I like the idea that I could – and that’s what watches like this are really about. The DS-X GMT is built for adventures, real or imagined. Either way, it’s one of the best value options out.

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Spencer Hart Buying Guide Editor

About

As Buying Guide Editor, Spencer is responsible for all e-commerce content on Stuff, overseeing buying guides as well as covering deals and new product launches. Spencer has been writing about consumer tech for over eight years. He has worked on some of the biggest publications in the UK, where he covered everything from the emergence of smartwatches to the arrival of self-driving cars. During this time, Spencer has become a seasoned traveller, racking up air miles while travelling around the world reviewing cars, attending product launches, and covering every trade show known to man, from Baselworld and Geneva Motor Show to CES and MWC. While tech remains one of his biggest passions, Spencer also enjoys getting hands-on with the latest luxury watches, trying out new grooming kit, and road-testing all kinds of vehicles, from electric scooters to supercars.

Areas of expertise

Watches, travel, grooming, transport, tech