Certina was founded in 1888 by Adolf and Alfred Kurth in Grenchen, Switzerland. Originally a movement and supplies factory, Certina did not start producing complete watches until several years later. Their first brand name was Grana, named after the Latin name of Grenchen.
The name Certina first came into use in the 1930s, and was officially registered in 1939. Ten years later, it became the company’s sole brand name in 1949.
Swatch Group
Certina joined the then-newly founded SMH Group in 1983, which was eventually renamed the Swatch Group Ltd. in 1999. Other brands currently owned by the Swatch Group include Blancpain, Breguet, Glashütte Original, Hamilton, Longines, Omega, Rado, and Tissot.
Official Timekeeper of Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing
According to information provided by Certina, the Swiss brand became the Official Timekeeper of Grand Prix motorcycle racing in 1995. The Certina logo appeared on track side billboards and sometimes digitally above the leader board graphics during TV broadcasts until the end of the 2000 season.
While there appears to be no direct connection with the world championship series, it’s worth mentioning that the DS Cascadeur line was also launched in 1995. Early models featured bracelets that notably resembled a motorcycle chain.
500cc World Champions: Mick Doohan and Àlex Crivillé
Along with Official Timekeeper duties, Certina also began sponsoring then-reigning 500cc World Champion Mick Doohan in 1995. Rider edition timepieces were made for both Doohan and Àlex Crivillé.
Adrian Bosshard
Former 500cc rider Adrian “Adi” Bosshard was also sponsored by the watch brand during the 1995 and 1996 seasons. After his retirement from racing, he began working as a salesperson for Certina before becoming CEO of the brand in 2003.
Thomas Luthi
Former MotoGP Marc VDS rider Thomas Luthi has also enjoyed Certina sponsorship during the early part of his racing career from 2001 to 2007. The span of time covered his entire 125cc career, plus his first year competing in the 250cc World Championship.
Sete Gibernau
While no signature timepieces appeared to be involved, Certina has also been associated with MotoGP race winner Sete Gibernau during his time with the Telefónica Movistar Honda team.
Sauber F1
With Bosshard at the helm, Certina entered Formula One as an official partner the Sauber-Petronas Formula One team in 2005 and carried over to the newly rebranded BMW Sauber F1 team in 2006. Several Sauber F1 limited edition models were produced over the years. 2007 saw the first of several Robert Kubica edition chronographs, as well as the DS Podium Limited Edition Pedro de la Rosa in 2010. Certina remained with Sauber until 2015.
Stéphane Kox
Certina began sponsoring Dutch racing driver Stéphane Kox in 2012. Kox would go on to become the first Dutch woman to drive a Formula One car in 2023 when she tested an Alpine-liveried Lotus E20 at Circuit Paul Ricard.
References
https://www.certina.com/en/since1888/history
https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/certina-ref-8050-8051-michael-doohan-lot-357-60
https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/certina-chronograph-special-edition-michael-doohan-3026-c-0014b40a1c
https://timeandtidewatches.com/rado-ceo-adrian-bosshard-interview/
https://www.speedweek.com/motogp/news/93312/Adrian-Bosshard-Ex-Rennfahrer-als-Certina-Praesident.html
https://www.automotivpress.fr/revue-des-manufactures-horlogeres-en-championnat-du-monde-2015-de-formule-1/
https://www.f1network.net/main/s491/st153430.htm
https://www.europastar.com/news/1004085097-certina-launches-new-limited-edition-ds-podium.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20110210203951/http://www.certina.com/News/News/Press-conference-with-Pedro-de-la-Rosa.aspx
https://www.yournewwatch.com/news/certina/certina-introduces-podium-limited-edition-pedro.htm
https://masterhorologer.com/2018/06/28/certina-swiss-watches-brand-details-company-history-watch-collections/
https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/exclusive-movement-certina-ds-podium-automatic-chronograph.952908/
https://tendancehorlogerie.com/certina-ds-action-chrono-limited-edition-robert-kubica/
https://www.omroepbrabant.nl/nieuws/4350371/stephane-is-de-eerste-nederlandse-vrouw-die-in-een-formule-1-auto-rijdt