Certina Caliber 25-682: Enhanced Day-Date Movement from a Legendary Swiss Line

The Certina Caliber 25-682 is a refined automatic movement with day and date complications, developed as part of Certina’s iconic 25-series. This caliber served as an evolution of the earlier 25-681, with minor upgrades and part optimizations aimed at increasing durability, improving calendar function performance, and aligning with Certina’s “Double Security” (DS) system.

Manufactured during the late 1960s through the mid-1970s, the 25-682 was featured in a range of Certina models, especially in DS and DS-2 lines, which were known for their shock resistance and practical engineering. This movement is still praised today for its long-term reliability and mechanical simplicity, despite lacking quickset features.

Technical Specifications

While similar to the 25-681, the 25-682 includes slight modifications in some internal parts and often improved alignment between components, making it mechanically smoother and easier to regulate.

Movement Features and Calendar Design

The 25-682 continues Certina’s trusted engineering practices seen throughout the 25-series:

• Lever escapement

• Bi-directional winding rotor

• Full metal bridges for stability

• Central seconds hand

• Dual calendar (day and date)

The calendar system operates via a 24-hour wheel that gradually advances the date and day discs, with the mechanism built into the dial side of the movement. This mechanism, while mechanically elegant, must be used cautiously—owners should avoid setting the calendar during the danger zone (approx. 9 PM–3 AM) to prevent gear damage.

Use in Certina Watches

Watches powered by the 25-682 were usually mid-sized men’s automatics that balanced function with style. They catered to a growing market of consumers who wanted durable Swiss timepieces with more than just a time display.

Common characteristics of watches using 25-682:

• 34–38 mm cases (often steel or gold-plated)

• Screw-down casebacks in DS models

• Dials with day-date windows at 3 o’clock

• Branded “Certina Automatic” or “DS-2” on the dial

• Lume-filled baton hands and printed minute tracks

• Acrylic or mineral crystal depending on model

These watches were often marketed as sporty but elegant, meant for daily wear by professionals, travelers, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Servicing and Watchmaker’s Perspective

The 25-682 remains straightforward to service, especially for horologists already familiar with Certina’s 25-series. Its lack of a quickset mechanism is offset by a dependable calendar system and logical part layout.

Service tips:

• Inspect the calendar jump springs and cams for wear.

• Use Moebius 9010 for pivots and 9415 on the escapement and calendar slide surfaces.

• Clean and oil reverser wheels and the rotor axle to maintain winding efficiency.

• Ensure the day and date wheels are centered post-reassembly to avoid drag.

Expect a healthy movement to beat at ~18,000 vph with amplitude between 270–300°, and deviation well within ±15 seconds/day after full regulation.

Collector Appeal and Wearability

The 25-682-powered watches are a favorite among collectors who want something durable, affordable, and practical. These movements are:

• Mechanically reliable

• Easy to regulate

• Readily serviceable

• Found in aesthetically classic Certina designs

For those who don’t mind the lack of a quickset and want a dependable vintage piece, the 25-682 is an excellent choice. It also provides a cost-effective entry into vintage Swiss automatics with dual calendar functionality.

Conclusion

The Certina Caliber 25-682 is a shining example of 1970s Swiss craftsmanship, blending precision, reliability, and functionality into one movement. Whether inside a rugged DS case or a clean dress model, this caliber continues to offer trustworthy timekeeping for today’s enthusiasts. With proper care and regular service, a 25-682 watch will easily keep ticking for decades more—proving Certina’s commitment to “Double Security” was far more than just a marketing slogan.