Oh, in no case is it a fake - it is either a correct prototype/factory special or an aftermarket modification. I can't imagine anyone doing it for profit, but perhaps out of enthusiasm? Aftermarket PVD'ing of cases has been around for a good while, but I would imagine that it would be difficult to treat the bezel after assembly.

I think it looks pretty damn nice

I am desk diving with my DS-3 PH1000M on mesh today and yours would be... frighteningly cool on a black mesh bracelet.

 

Certina Alarm Automatic in blue

 

Now that is a ticker of many a box. Thanks for posting.

 

Indeed. That is a cool watch. Can you share a few more photos? Love the Rotring 600 with it - I love mine - vintage black - a gift from my uncle.

 

Damn, that blue dial is hypnotic. You don’t see many of these around. Lovely!

 

A few more quick iphone photos made during afternoon business call. The dial can be much brighter, but it is very hard to catch or can be almost black. The age of the watch is mostly visible on the index lumi dots. Two signed crowns - upper is for quick date and time setting, the lower one for setting the alarm and winding the alarm. Original bracelet is quite comfy. I have seen this model with silver and brown dial, but the blue one is definitely the most beautiful.
Additional information can be found for example here: https://www.vintagecertinas.ch/en/certina-alarm/

 

Nice camera/depth of field work there!

 

Here's a basic question: is Certina pronounced with an emphasis on the first or second syllable? Certain-a or Cer-teen-a?

 

I've always pronounced it as the latter. CerTEENa.

Added a second "coffin dial" to the collection. Bought the dial loose, had hands that are close enough to original to make it work, and already had a spare patent pending case and 25-45 movement. Fits right in with the rest of my "fancy" DS models.

 

Hi guys

I picked up this DS earlier in the week, although I was unsure as to whether the hands are original/correct for this watch. Any feedback would be much appreciated. It’s a 25-66 calibration. 5201-013 reference.

Regards
Chris

 

Ehm, perhaps?

There is a series of (mostly) manual wind DS' with pretty funky dials like this one where the hands seem to follow different rules than normal DS'. I have one with golden sword hands which aren't found on other references, so this one could be good? The seconds hand matches the blued indicies (first time I've seen that on a DS!), but the gold minute and hour hands seem a little out of place.

I wouldn't change them.

Incidentally, notice that there isn't a T after the SWISS MADE even though the dial and hands have luminous compound? This is the case with others of the "funky dial" type

Let me know if it comes up for sale at some point!

EDIT: Just noticed you called it a 5201-013... You mean -012, right?

 

Hi Troels

As ever, thanks for the feedback. The case back states -013. Does that arise any concerns?

 

Have this one in my collection af watches, and it's one of my favorite ones

 

Sorry, I got my references mixed up... I don't think there are any issues.

 

Hi guys
Just came across this Rodania watch for sale and saw it had the exactly same numbered indexes as an early DS. Is there any connection between the companies? Otherwise I gather it’s the same dial manufacturer that they’ve both used.

Regards
Chris

 

That case looks remarkably similar to one of my Certinas.

 

Hi Troels

These are the other pics that the seller has posted.

 

This is the first non-omega watch in my collection. It’s a crazy watch but quite wearable and very enjoyable. Bought it late last year and it’s now ready for the wrist after some TLC.

 

Such a cool funky watch.