The Watch
Certina was originally founded by the Kurth brothers in 1888, and the manufacturer first produced movements, and later watches, under the name Grana. The name was changed to Certina in 1939, and they quickly started producing automatic watches in the 1940s, eventually introducing the DS series in 1959.
In a world before the iPhone alarm was ubiquitous, the wrist alarm was one of the most practical complications a watch could offer. Vulcain's Cricket found a massive market in the 1940s; it was not long before brands like Certina had developed their own. Where the Cricket is very '40s feeling, Certina's example is very much of the '70s.
The A. Schild ebauche movement inside this Certina is notable as unlike JLC's Memovox alarm caliber, for example, the self-winding rotor winds both the timekeeping barrel as well as the alarm barrel – one in each direction of the rotor. Setting and arming the alarm is all done through the lower crown near four o'clock. Pulling it out all the way allows for the alarm time to be adjusted, indicated by the arrow on the inner disc, and leaving the crown out arms the alarm. All winding and time-setting is done through the more conventional-looking crown at two o'clock.
Specific Information
Object nr: 309
Brand: Certina
Model: Alarm (Automatic)
Reference: 681 3750 41
Year: 1970's
Movement: Certina, self-winding, caliber 189 (A. Schild 5008)
Material: Stainless steel
Original crown: Yes
Dimensions: 41mm height, 39.5mm width, 13.8mm thickness
Strap/Bracelet: Brown leather strap
Lug Width: 20mm
Box/Papers: No/No
Serviced: Yes, the watch have been professionally serviced and is under warranty until 23-06-30
The Condition
This Certina is in an overall very good condition. The case shows some light surface scratches and light nicks on the edges, but it's generally sharp. The caseback has a few scratches.
The dial is nice even if it got some patina and small marks at the inner alarm circle. The lume on the dial as well as on the hands has turned creamy in varying degrees of patina. The hands and hour markers themselves have developed slight patina.
The dial, case, and movement are signed by Certina. The crowns are correctly unsigned and of the correct shape.
Sold as "Serviced”!
The pictures is a part of the description, study therefore the pictures carefully!