The year was 1995.
Internet shopping had just begun with Amazon’s first book sale; 'Toy Story’, the first fully computer-animated film, hit cinemas; ’Gangster’s Paradise' topped the charts (what a song), and me? I was still five years away from being born.
It was a year of innovation, change, and a bit of edge. This is where the outlandish Certina DS Cascadeur first comes in…
Fast forward to today and we’re seeing plenty of brands digging into the archives to reintroduce and revamp their greatest hits. TAG Heuer with the Formula 1 Solargraph, IWC with the Ingenieur, and Cartier with the Tank à Guichets, just to name a few. Now, Certina are throwing their hat into the ring and 30 years after its original release, like a ’90s boy band on a reunion tour, the Cascadeur is back.
Plenty of the original design elements have been carried through to this reissue, but they’ve been modernised and refined. The standout design cue is undoubtedly the 'Power Bars' that cut across the dial and crystal. Borrowed from the original, their orientation has been switched from horizontal to vertical — and honestly, I prefer it. It flows better visually, with the lines leading neatly into the lugs and strap rather than jarring against them. Not only do they look tough and purposeful, but likely also add some genuine protection for the crystal.
Between those bars, the case features a PVD coating that complements the monochrome palette and gives the whole watch a stealthy, rugged vibe. It almost feels like the dial continues seamlessly onto the bezel, something I’ve not really seen before. While I love the look, I do wonder how well the coating will hold up after years of outdoor escapades. Then again, a bit of real-world patina would only add to the character.
The dial itself keeps things simple; matte black with sandblasted hands and minimal text. It’s clean and legible, and the application of Super-LumiNova on the hands and at every hour marker (bar those obscured by the mighty 'Power Bars') ensures great visibility in low light. A personal favourite detail: the use of green for the 'Limited Edition' text. It gives me Rolex 126710GRNR 'Bruce Wayne' vibes, where the GMT Master II text pops in a similar shade of green against the black dial. Subtle flex.
I’m also a fan of the date window at six o’clock, it keeps the dial symmetrical, and let’s face it, a 3 o’clock date would be completely obscured by the 'Power Bars' anyway. Good call, Certina.
The 316L stainless steel case is sandblasted, measuring in at 40.5mm wide and 12.6mm thick. It’s got that sporty wrist presence but remains wearable, even for those of us with slightly smaller wrists. The crown is well-sized and easy to grip whether you're wearing gloves or just battling numb fingers on a cold day out in the wild.
On the caseback, you’ll find Certina’s turtle emblem, a nod to the brand’s heritage and its 'Double Security' (DS) system, which includes a reinforced sapphire crystal and water-resistant seals. The turtle shell originally inspired this protective case structure, and the animal has become a lasting symbol for the brand.
Powering the Cascadeur is the ETA-developed Precidrive quartz movement, boasting an impressive accuracy of +/- 10 seconds per year. It’s also shock-resistant and anti-magnetic. For a watch that’s likely to live in a collection and get pulled out for camping trips or fancy dress parties with a ’90s twist, this movement is bang on. Reliable, rugged, and ready to go when you are.
The watch comes on a rubber strap, perfect for adventures. Quick-release spring bars mean you can easily swap it out, and with that monochrome aesthetic, it’ll suit a whole range of strap combos — from nylon to leather to something a bit more colourful if you fancy mixing it up.
It’s limited to 1,995 pieces (which feels nicely intentional), but something tells me this won’t be the last retro revival we see from Certina.
All in all, the DS Cascadeur is a fitting tribute to the original, bringing the bold design and unique features back to life, while giving it the durability and refinement today’s wearers expect from a true sports watch.
What do you think? Are you into these modern reissues, or do you prefer brands to keep pushing forward with fresh designs? And are you vibing with the DS Cascadeur’s design language, or is it a bit too out there for your taste? Let me know in the comments!
Certina DS Cascadeur
Technical Specifications
- Brand: Certina
- Model: DS Cascadeur
- Reference: C046.410.27.051.10
- Price: £440
- Case Material: 316L Stainless Steel
- Case Size: 41.5mm
- Case Thickness: 12.65mm
- Lug-to-lug Distance: 20mm
- Movement: Precidrive Quartz
- Complications: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
- Water-resistance: 200m
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal
