Certina DS vintage

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LakeHuron

·Sep 26, 2026

Just bought a 1959 model that is on its way and was wondering if folks know the lug size? Anyone know definitively? I think it is 19 mm. Keen to order one to have it ready to wear.

 

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gatorcpa

·Sep 26, 2026·ΩF InvestiGator

My DS is 18mm.

Not sure if it is the same as yours.
gatorcpa

 

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LakeHuron

·Sep 26, 2026

Thanks @gatorcpa Mine looks similar but has what I think is a two piece dial. Will post a picture when it arrives . Does yours have a plan back or the turtle back? Apparently the plain backs are older. Nice NATO!
Jeff

 

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Duracuir1

·Sep 26, 2026·Never Used A Kodak

18 is good Jeff. Just like my Seamaster. And go Gators.

 

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Spruce

·Sep 26, 2026·London sunburst dial fan

Hi Jeff,

As @gatorcpa says, 18mm lugs.

I’ve put mine on a bracelet and, because it’s an automatic (25-651) it has the larger turtle caseback.

Manual DSs have the smaller turtle - and this is from a 25-661 I used to own

 

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gatorcpa

·Sep 26, 2026·ΩF InvestiGator

LakeHuron

Does yours have a plan back or the turtle back?

Turtle.

Yours is probably a bit older.

First thing I did was get rid of the NATO. Didn’t want any extra wear on the back.
gatorcpa

 

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Eve

·Sep 27, 2026

The majority of the DS that i own have a lug width of 18,5mm.

Some have lug width of around 18mm, some closer to 19mm. Obviously the variation can be due to wear or bent lug or production variances.

 

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Leeroy

·Sep 27, 2026

I always wore mine on 19's as I prefer a bit of a squish over a gap.

Luckily I picked up this old Certina strap that fits perfectly 👍

 

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Eve

·Sep 27, 2026

Leeroy

I always wore mine on 19's as I prefer a bit of a squish over a gap.

Luckily I picked up this old Certina strap that fits perfectly 👍

I have 18mm leather straps that i slightly stretch with my fingers by bending the end. Then they fit perfectly without gap.
I also use 19mm straps.
And even a 20mm nato works sometime.

 

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Duracuir1

·Sep 27, 2026·Never Used A Kodak

Spruce

Hi Jeff,

As @gatorcpa says, 18mm lugs.

I’ve put mine on a bracelet and, because it’s an automatic (25-651) it has the larger turtle caseback.

Manual DSs have the smaller turtle - and this is from a 25-661 I used to own

These casebacks are fantastic.

I would consider stealing Spruce’s photo to resurrect the « Case Back thread » but

1) I cannot find that thread when I do a search.

2) Theft would require me to consult my lawyers (Spruce and Gbesq)

 

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Spruce

·Sep 27, 2026·London sunburst dial fan

You’re welcome to use my photos whenever …. 😁

https://omegaforums.net/threads/show-us-your-casebacks.134035/

Thread 'Show us your casebacks' ·

Brief story: Took my watch off and was happily surprised by the caseback. I had forgotten that it had this cool caseback.

Made me wonder about all the other interesting...

pdxleaf · Jul 12, 2021