The Star Everlasting Love Contest - Certina Swiss Timepieces Giveaway

I received a couple of e-mails from fellow readers asking if this was my first Certina timepiece and what motivated me towards the purchase. Well, frankly, I must say that the timepiece was more of a belated Valentine's gift of love and it wasn't from my spouse.

(NB : Under normal circumstances, an admission like this would have earned me the right to kneel down on durian shells... just kidding there :)

No, do you remember that The Star ran the Everlasting Love Contest which had Certina Swiss timepieces as its giveaways as per the following :

Grand Prize x 1:
Certina DS1 (couple watch) worth RM5,120

1st Prize x 1:
Certina DS Eagle worth RM4,460

2nd Prize x 1:
Certina DS Action worth RM2,870

3rd Prize x 1:
Certina DS2 worth RM2,280

Consolation Prize x 13:
Certina DS Podium worth RM1,750 

http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/SME/2014/02/12/Swiss-brand-makes-a-strong-return-to-Malaysian-shores-marks-anniversary/

"ALTHOUGH Certina has been in the watch industry for more than a century, the Swiss brand is making a stronger presence than ever in the Malaysian market.

“We have been around for a long time,” said Certina vice-president Bryan Ho.

Ho said the watches were sold in Malaysia back in the 1970s, until the brand became a member of the Swatch Group in 1983 and it then focused on the European region.

About six years ago Certina returned to Malaysia with vim, signing sponsorship deals with major sporting events.

Certina is currently the premium partner of the Swiss Sauber F1 Team, official partner and timekeeper for the FIA WRC World Rally Championship as well as supporting Norwegian biathlete Ole Einar Bjørndalen, who is also their brand ambassador.

Ho said 70% of the Certina range today comprises sporty watches, catering to its male market.
“Our customers lean towards sporty designs that often come with rubber straps that are lighter and can can be worn every day for all occasions,” he said.

He was quick to add that the brand also has a ladies’ range incorporating diamonds and a collection of timepieces with leather straps or stainless steel bracelets, which are dressy and elegant for a dinner party.

Certina, according to Ho, has a strong following among young working adults because it is Swiss quality at an affordable price.
 
The latest from the brand — DS Action, DS Eagle, DS Podium GMT and DS Prime Lady Chrono — come with its new logo of a turtle on its caseback.

“We were using the turtle as our logo back in the 1960s and we are now bringing it back to replace the Certina brand name on the caseback,” said Ho, adding that the turtle symbolises long life and served as a good reminder of the brand’s history.

To celebrate its 125th year in the watch industry, Certina came up with the DS-1 Automatic Anniversary Edition.

The designs, for men and women, come in a retro case reminiscent of the first 1960 DS‑1 modelsIt houses a new and original dial in sport-classic design, complete with an elegant silver-shaded sunray finish.

Its transparent caseback lets watch connoisseurs admire the finely crafted movement,

There are only 1,888 pieces of the DS-1, which is only available as a couple set.

The number “1888” marks the year Certina was founded by brothers Adolf and Alfred Kurth.

This Valentine’s Day, The Star is organising the “Everlasting Love” that offers readers the chance to win the limited-edition Certina DS-1 Automatic Anniversary Edition."

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2014/03/15/Everlasting-love-etched-in-time-Valentines-Day-contest-winners-bring-home-Certina-watches/ 

(From left) Star Publications (M) Bhd Advertising and Business Development general manager Chin Seow Ping, Ho, Certina assistant marketing and merchandising manager Cassandra Yaw, and Star Publications (M) Bhd Advertising Sales and Business Development manager Phua Yen Li showing the watches for the contest winners.

"WINNERS of a Valentine’s Day contest themed “Everlasting Love” took home timepieces from Swiss watchmaker Certina.

The contest, organised by The Star, required contestants to come up with creative and interesting captions for a drawing of a couple on the contest form.

During the prize-giving ceremony, the winners came with their loved ones as well as family members."

Well, from the above, I guess that it was somewhat conclusive that the Certina DS Podium Chronograph GMT that I have was one of the pieces coutersy of The Star's Valentine's Day contest and winners all recently received their prices. In fact, the GMT could be one of the pieces held by Certina's Ms Cassandra Yeow or The Star's Ms Phua in the picture above. 

I have yet to utilize and therefore review the watch (it was still sitting pretty in its box in my watch cabinet), but I'll come along to the GMT soon enough...