⏱ 5-7 min read
đź“… Updated Oct 2026
🔍 1 Watch Reviewed
This guide covers the specs, design, movement, durability and price, and who this watch suits.
Don't miss out on seeing how affordable Certina DS Action Diver wristwatch can be! Head over to Amazon to check out the current price and promotions.
Price on Amazon
đź“… Updated Oct 2026
🔍 1 Watch Reviewed
Disclosure
Small dive watches are having a moment. After years of oversized divers, many buyers now want a watch that fits a wide range of wrists without giving up real performance. The new Certina DS Action Diver 38 mm in black PVD-coated stainless steel (reference C048.807.33.051.02) is aimed at exactly that group. It is an automatic, Swiss made, ISO-certified diver at a price that stays below four figures.This post contains affiliate/sponsored links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps us run this website. As an Amazon Associate, Swiss And Vintage earns from qualifying purchases.
This guide covers the specs, design, movement, durability and price, and who this watch suits.
Quick Specs at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Reference | C048.807.33.051.02 |
| Case size | 38.00 mm diameter, 13.22 mm height |
| Lug width | 19 mm |
| Case material | 316L stainless steel with black PVD coating |
| Bezel | Ceramic with PVD-coated steel |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Dial | Black with Super-LumiNova® |
| Movement | Automatic Powermatic 80.611 |
| Power reserve | Up to 80 hours |
| Balance spring | Nivachron™ |
| Water resistance | 300 m, diver’s watch per ISO 6425:2018 |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Price | ~$1,050 (CHF 865, recommended retail, VAT included) |
Design: A Stealth Diver Built for Action
The all-black look is the first thing you notice. The 316L steel case is finished in black PVD, and the dial, ceramic bezel and luminous markers follow the same dark theme. The result is a tool-watch look that works with a wetsuit, a gym kit or jeans and a T-shirt.
At 38 mm across and 13.22 mm thick, the watch is compact for a 300-metre diver. That makes it a good fit for smaller wrists, and many people with larger wrists also prefer a vintage-proportioned diver. Certina describes the unisex DS Action Diver 38 mm as part of its “modern sports watch philosophy: engineered to perform, designed to stand out and built for action.”
The 19 mm lug width is a slightly less common size, so check strap compatibility before planning aftermarket swaps.
Sporty DNA With a Padel Connection
The DS Action line is closely tied to racquet sports. Certina notes that padel is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, and that it has been a natural fit since 2021, when Certina became the first watchmaker to actively invest in and support it. The DS Action collection reflects that active identity: bold colours, robust construction and practical wearability.
Movement: Powermatic 80.611 With an 80-Hour Power Reserve
Inside is the Powermatic 80.611 automatic calibre, which is the main reason this watch punches above its price. Certina’s own comparison is that most mechanical timepieces offer a power reserve of around 38 to 42 hours, while the Powermatic 80 offers up to 80 hours, almost twice as long.
In daily life, that means you can take the watch off on Friday evening and put it on Monday morning with it still running. For anyone who rotates between several watches, that is a real convenience.
Nivachron™ Balance Spring
The movement also has a Nivachron™ balance spring. This is a titanium-based alloy developed in collaboration with the Swatch Group. According to Certina, Nivachron™ springs are highly resistant to magnetic fields, shock, ageing and temperature fluctuations. This helps with precision and everyday reliability, and magnetic fields from phones, laptops and speakers are part of modern life.
Built to Take Punishment: The DS Concept
Certina’s reputation for toughness rests on its DS Concept, which stands for “Double Security.” The brand says every Certina watch has at least one or more of these features:
- Sapphire crystal, or domed sapphire crystal, which is extremely scratch-resistant
- O-ring seal on the setting stem
- Reinforced case back
- Ultra-thin seal dial support
- Screwed movement holder
This model also carries the newest iteration of the concept, the “DS Concept Extreme Shock Resistance.” Certina says it is the product of intensive research into the shock resistance of wristwatches, using cutting-edge equipment and extensive testing, and that it combines the proven qualities of the classic DS Concept with three extra features.
For a watch designed around an active lifestyle, that matters. Sport, travel and daily knocks are what this watch is built for.
300 m Water Resistance: A Certified Dive Watch
Many watches are labelled “water resistant” in a vague way. This one is a diver’s watch rated to 300 metres according to ISO 6425:2018. Certina says it tests each of these timepieces in water for three hours, as the standard requires.
To officially be called a diver’s watch under ISO 6425, a watch must meet a long list of criteria, including:
- A device for preselecting a period of time, such as a rotating bezel
- Readability from 25 cm in complete darkness
- Proper functionality in water
- Straps, crowns and other components resistant to external forces, salt water and thermal shock
- Antimagnetic properties
- Water resistance to the stated diving depth plus 25%
- Shock resistance
In practice, whether you snorkel, swim laps, surf or simply dive into a pool, you are covered well beyond typical recreational needs.
Materials That Make a Difference
316L stainless steel: Certina notes this steel is extremely resistant, corrosion-resistant and hygienic. It contains only a very small proportion of nickel, which is not released when worn, so it should not trigger nickel allergies.
PVD coating: Physical vapour deposition transfers a material to the steel in vapour form. Certina describes the result as resistant, corrosion-resistant and very hard. It is what gives this watch its black finish.
Ceramic bezel: Certina’s ceramic is hardened in a firing process at more than 900 °C. It resists scratches and keeps its colour and shine for a long time. On a dive watch, where the bezel gets the most contact, that is a real advantage.
Sapphire crystal: Made from aluminium oxide heated to over 2,000 °C, sapphire is extremely scratch-resistant, shock-resistant and very transparent.
Super-LumiNova®: Certina uses the BG W9 type, which glows with a bluish shimmer in the dark. It recharges automatically when light hits it, so legibility in low light is built into the design, as ISO 6425 requires.
Who Is the DS Action Diver 38 mm For?
This watch suits several kinds of buyer:
First-time automatic buyers. A mechanical movement, 300 m rating and sapphire crystal at CHF 865 is a strong entry point.
Smaller-wrist wearers. At 38 mm, it sits comfortably where many 42–44 mm divers feel oversized.
Active people. Padel players, swimmers and travellers benefit from the shock resistance and durable materials.
Collectors looking for a “beater.” A tough, attractive watch you do not need to baby.
Couples or shared-collection buyers. The unisex sizing and all-black look suit many wearers.
Price and Value
The Certina DS Action Diver 38 mm (C048.807.33.051.02) has a recommended retail price of ~$1,050 (CHF 865, VAT included). It comes with a 2-year warranty and is Swiss made, from a brand that is part of the Swatch Group.
If you want a lighter option, the DS Action Diver 38mm Titanium is listed at ~$1,120 (CHF 925) in black, blue and grey versions. Compare it with the PVD steel model on weight, finish and budget. The collection also includes other colourways and related DS Action models if black is not your style.
Don't miss out on seeing how affordable Certina DS Action Diver wristwatch can be! Head over to Amazon to check out the current price and promotions.
Pros and Cons
Pros
+ Compact 38 mm size with 300 m ISO 6425 certification
+ 80-hour power reserve from the Powermatic 80
+ Nivachron™ balance spring for magnetic resistance
+ Scratch-resistant ceramic bezel and sapphire crystal
+ Distinctive all-black look
+ Accessible price for a Swiss automatic diver
Considerations
- At 13.22 mm thick, it wears with some presence despite the small diameter
- Black PVD can show wear over years of heavy use, as any coating can
- The 19 mm lug width narrows strap choices slightly
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the reference number of this watch?
C048.807.33.051.02.
How big is the Certina DS Action Diver 38 mm?
It is 38 mm in diameter and 13.22 mm in height, with a 19 mm lug width.
Is it a real dive watch?
Yes. It is rated to 300 m and meets the ISO 6425:2018 diver’s watch standard.
What movement does it use?
The automatic Powermatic 80.611, with up to 80 hours of power reserve and a Nivachron™ balance spring.
Is it suitable for women?
Certina lists it as a unisex watch, and its 38 mm size suits many wrist sizes.
Does the watch have a sapphire crystal?
Yes. Certina uses sapphire crystal to protect the dial on all its models.
How much does it cost?
Approx. price is $1,050 (CHF 865 recommended retail price, VAT included). Prices vary by market, so check your local retailer.
How long is the warranty?
Two years.
Final Verdict
The Certina DS Action Diver 38 mm in black PVD is a practical, good-looking answer to the question “what should my first serious dive watch be?” It combines an 80-hour automatic movement, a magnetism-resistant Nivachron™ spring, a ceramic bezel, a sapphire crystal and a genuine 300 m ISO rating in a compact size. Its sporty character is backed by real engineering rather than marketing language.
If you want a rugged, wearable Swiss diver that does not demand a luxury budget, put this watch on your shortlist. Use the Certina store locator to see it in person, since a 38 mm watch can feel quite different on your own wrist.
[photo credit: www.certina.com]
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