The Certina DS-1 Day-Date is a 40 mm automatic steel watch distinguished by its weekday display at 12 o’clock and date at 6. It joined the DS-1 family in 2024; “affordable” describes its launch pricing, not a guarantee of today’s price or availability. Certina’s Irish collection page showed €875 for a DS-1 Day Date when accessed on 8 October 2026, while its Danish page for reference C029.430.16.011.01 says that exact product is no longer available.
What changed in the DS-1 Day-Date?
Certina’s DS-1 family already included time-and-date, skeleton and Big Date models. The 2024 Day-Date addition puts the weekday in an arched window at 12 o’clock and the date in a separate window at 6. That symmetrical arrangement is its defining difference from the family’s other versions, as described in Monochrome Watches’ 12 July 2024 first look.
The styling remains conventional: faceted indexes, dauphine-style hands and a slightly curved dial sit in a 40 mm case with curved lugs and a mix of brushed and polished surfaces. An exhibition caseback shows the automatic movement.
Movement and operation
The watch uses the automatic ETA 2834-2, also identified on Certina’s Danish product page for C029.430.16.011.01. Monochrome reports a 4 Hz beat rate, 42-hour power reserve and 25 jewels. It also notes hacking seconds and rapid correction for both day and date. These additional movement details are reported by Monochrome, rather than listed on the official product page.
#1 Best Overall
- Case Size: 40.00 mm, Band Width: 20.00 mm, Case Thickness: 11.53 mm
- Swiss Automatic movement, Index dial type, Day-Date
- Band Type : Milanese mesh, Band Length: 170.4 mm
- Water-resistant up to a pressure of 10 bar (100 m / 330 ft): suitable for short periods of recreational swimming and showering, but no diving or snorkeling.
- 2 Year International Warranty
Case, materials and water resistance
Certina’s Danish specification for reference C029.430.16.011.01 gives a 40 mm case diameter, 11.53 mm height and 20 mm lug spacing. The case is 316L stainless steel, with a sapphire crystal treated with anti-reflective coating on one side. The page also describes a reinforced case back and gasket features as part of Certina’s DS Concept.
The stated water resistance is 10 bar (100 m). Certina’s general guidance on that page says it does not recommend wearing watches rated below 10 bar while swimming or diving. A 10-bar rating is not, by itself, evidence that this DS-1 is a certified dive watch.
Rank #2
- Case Size: 40.00 mm, Band Width: 20.00 mm, Case Thickness: 11.53 mm
- Swiss Automatic movement, Index dial type, Day-Date
- Band Type : Leather, Band Length: 178.7 mm
- Water-resistant up to a pressure of 10 bar (100 m / 330 ft): suitable for short periods of recreational swimming and showering, but no diving or snorkeling.
- 2 Year International Warranty
Dial and strap variants
Monochrome lists three references for the Day-Date:
| Reference | Dial | Strap or bracelet |
|---|---|---|
| C029.430.16.011.00 | Silver | Blue leather strap |
| C029.430.11.051.00 | Black | Milanese mesh bracelet |
| C029.430.16.011.01 | Two-tone | Grey leather strap |
The official Danish page for the last reference specifies a quick-release leather strap. Its 20 mm lug spacing is useful when comparing strap options, but verify compatibility with the exact reference and attachment before buying an aftermarket band.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteRank #3
- Case Size: 40.00 mm, Band Width: 20.00 mm, Case Thickness: 11.53 mm
- Swiss Automatic movement, Index dial type, Day-Date
- Band Type : Leather, Band Length: 178.7 mm
- Water-resistant up to a pressure of 10 bar (100 m / 330 ft): suitable for short periods of recreational swimming and showering, but no diving or snorkeling.
- 2 Year International Warranty
When choosing among the listed versions, consider dial contrast and whether you prefer leather or mesh, then verify the full reference suffix. The sources do not establish wrist-size fit or a comparative comfort advantage, so case diameter and lug spacing are the available fit dimensions rather than a guarantee of how it will wear on a particular wrist.
How much does the Certina DS-1 Day-Date cost?
Monochrome reported July 2024 launch prices of EUR 850 / CHF 755 for leather versions and EUR 890 / CHF 790 for the bracelet version. Those are dated launch figures, not confirmed current prices.
Rank #4
- Case Size: 41.00 mm, Band Width: 20, Case Thickness: 11.90 mm
- Automatic movement, Powermatic 80, Nivachron, Index dial type, Date, Special Edition, Special watch box
- Stainless steel Milanais bracelet, quick release bracelet, Push Button Deployment Clasp
- Water-resistant up to a pressure of 10 bar (100 m / 330 ft): suitable for short periods of recreational swimming and showering, but no diving or snorkeling.
- 2 Year International Warranty
Certina’s Irish DS-1 collection page listed a DS-1 Day Date at €875 when accessed on 8 October 2026. That is a regional collection-page listing, and it may refer to a different variant from the Danish exact-reference page. The two snapshots should not be treated as a single universal price or as proof that every reference is currently sold.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is the DS-1 Day-Date still available?
Availability depends on market and reference. Certina’s Denmark page for C029.430.16.011.01 says the exact product is no longer available, while the Irish collection page showed a DS-1 Day Date listing when accessed on 8 October 2026. Check the local Certina site or an authorized retailer for stock and the price of the specific suffix you want; the collection listing alone does not establish availability of all three references.
Best Value
- Case Size: 11.96 mm, Band Width: 41.00 mm, Case Thickness: 41.00 mm
- Swiss Automatic movement, Stainless steel case, DAY/DATE, Blue band
- Band Type : Synthetic, Band Length: 190mm
- Water Resistant: Up to a pressure of 20 bar (200m)
- 2 Year International Warranty
Who should consider it?
The Day-Date makes sense for someone who wants a traditional steel automatic with weekday and date displays, rather than a more elaborate skeleton or Big Date presentation. Its core dimensions are 40 mm across and 20 mm between the lugs, with 10 bar water resistance. The practical comparison points are the day-date layout, dial color, strap or bracelet, exact reference and local stock—not an unverified claim of superior comfort or value against competitors.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
