Certina Chronolympic

The Chronolympic models were Certina’s best-known and most successful line of chronographs, and featured a lot of interesting and beautiful pieces. The first Chronolympic models (Ref. 8501 503) came to the market at a time when chronographs were becoming popular again at the end of the 1960s. Manual winding movements like the Valjoux 232, 234 and 726 were initially used, before an automatic version with the Valjoux 7750 (Ref. 674 3559 41) was launched in 1975. Models similar to this reference were also available from Longines, Mido, Rado and Technos. Those brands were consolidated into the GWC (General Watch Co.). The models vary primarily in their different dial designs.

In the same year, the reference 749 3754 41 with the tuning fork movement ESA 9210, became available. This movement – licensed from Bulova – was also used in the Omega Speedsonic and the Longines Ultronic.

In 1970, Certina equipped a Japanese expedition team with five DS-2 Chronolympic watches (Ref. 8501 800). Certina had also previously supported a Swiss expedition. The goal of this Japanese expedition was Mount Everest. In the course of this tour, after having climbed 7,986 metres within two months, Yuichiro Miura (see photo right below) strapped the skis to his feet and dashed down the slopes reaching speeds of up to 160 km/h, slowed only by the use of a brake parachute.
Miura, who became world-renowned for his daring ski run, was stopped after 2 minutes and 20 seconds having covered a descent of 2,000 metres. He lost control on an icy patch, tumbled and was seriously injured sliding down the slope for several hundred metres.

The exceptional ski run is documented in the movie, “The Man Who Skied Down Everest,” which won the Oscar for best documentary film in 1976.
According to some reports, the Certinas endured this expedition very well and met all demands despite the adverse conditions.

Yuichiro Miura set another record in 2003 by becoming the oldest man to climb to the top of Mount Everest at the age of 70 years and 222 days.

	Model	Reference no.	Calibre	Dimensions mm	Comments
	Chronolympic	8501 503	Certina 29-062 Valjoux 726	38 x 43.5 x 13.5 LW: 18	Manual winding. No date Blue dial, 3 white sub dials About from 1968 to 1972
	Chronolympic	8501 503	Certina 29-062 Valjoux 726	38 x 43.5 x 13.5 LW: 18	Manual winding. No date White dial, 3 blue sub dials About from 1968 to 1972

Model	Reference no.	Calibre	Dimensions mm	Comments
DS-2 Chronolympic	8501 300	Certina 29-052 Valjoux 72	42.5 x 47 x 16.5 (13) LW: 20	Manual winding. No date DS-2 case Black dial, 3 white sub dials About from 1968 to 1970
DS-2 Chronolympic	8501 800	Certina 29-053 & 29-062 Valjoux 23 & 726	42.5 x 47 x 16.5 (13) LW: 20	Manual winding. No date DS-2 case Cremfarbenes ZB, 3 black sub dials About from 1970 to 1974
DS-2 Chronolympic	8501 800	Certina 29-053 & 29-062 Valjoux 23 & 726	42.5 x 47 x 16.5 (13) LW: 20	Manual winding. No date DS-2 case Blue dial, 3 white sub dials About from 1970 to 1974
DS-2 Chronolympic	8501 800	Certina 29-053 & 29-062 Valjoux 23 & 726	42.5 x 47 x 16.5 (13) LW: 20	Manual winding. No date DS-2 case Black dial, 3 white sub dials About from 1970 to 1974
DS-2 Chronolympic	8601 800	Certina 29-0531 & 29-0631 Valjoux 232 & 234	42.5 x 47 x 16.5 (13) LW: 20	Manual winding. Date on 6 DS-2 case Grey dial, 2 dark blue sub dials About from 1970 to 1974
DS-2 Chronolympic	8601 800	Certina 29-0531 & 29-0631 Valjoux 232 & 234	42.5 x 47 x 16.5 (13) LW: 20	Manual winding. Date on 6 DS-2 case Cream-coloured dial, 2 black sub dials About from 1970 to 1974
DS-2 Chronolympic	8601 800	Certina 29-0531 & 29-0631 Valjoux 232 & 234	42.5 x 47 x 16.5 (13) LW: 20	Manual winding. Date on 6 DS-2 case Blue dial, 2 white sub dials About from 1970 to 1974
DS-2 Chronolympic	8601 800	Certina 29-0531 & 29-0631 Valjoux 232 & 234	42.5 x 47 x 16.5 (13) LW: 20	Manual winding. Date on 6 DS-2 case Black dial, 2 white sub dials About from 1970 to 1974

	Model	Reference no.	Calibre	Dimensions mm	Comments
	Chronolympic “Regatta”	8701 504	Certina 29-064 Valjoux 728	40 x 44 x 14 LW: 22	Manual winding. No date Center Chronominute and -seconds hour counter at 6 From 1971

	Model	Reference no.	Calibre	Dimensions mm	Comments
	Chronolympic Hungarian Airforce	487 3904 41	Certina 29-062 Valjoux 726 (Partially labeled as 728)	45 x 40.5 x 14.5 LW: 20	Manual winding. No date. Red bezel. Case from Eterna. Specially made 200 pcs. for Hungarian Air Force 1974

	Model	Reference no.	Calibre	Dimensions mm	Comments
	Chronolympic	674 3559 41	Certina 674 Valjoux 7750	43 x 43 x 14 LW: 22	Automatic. Day and date Blue dial, 2 white sub dials Sweep second at 9 with Certina logo Identical models from Rado, Technos From 1975
	Chronolympic	674 3559 41	Certina 674 Valjoux 7750	43 x 43 x 14 LW: 22	Automatic. Day and date White dial, 2 blue sub dials Sweep second at 9 with Certina logo Identical models from Rado, Technos From 1975

	Model	Reference no.	Calibre	Dimensions mm	Comments
	Chronolympic C-Tronic	749 3754 41	Certina 749 ESA 9210	39 x 46 x 14 LW: 20	Tuning fork movement “Mosaba” (montre sans balancier). Date and day (digit 1-7) Blue dial. Sweep second at 12 with Certina logo From 1975 to 1976
	Chronolympic C-Tronic	749 3754 41	Certina 749 ESA 9210	39 x 46 x 14 LW: 20	Tuning fork movement “Mosaba” (montre sans balancier). Date and day (digit 1-7) Black dial. Sweep second at 12 with Certina logo From 1975 to 1976

Model	Reference no.	Calibre	Dimensions mm	Comments
Chronolympic DS Quartz	780 1420 41	Certina 780-24 ESA 934 711	36 x 40 x 10	Quartz movement 12 functions From 1977
Chronolympic DS Quartz	787 1420 41	Certina 787 ESA 934 712	36 x 40 x 11.5	Quartz movement 16 functions From 1977
Chronolympic Quartz	787 3001 4166	Certina 787 ESA 934 712	38 x 40 x 10	Quartz movement 16 functions From 1977
Chronolympic Quartz	787 3002 04	Certina 787 ESA 934 712	36 x 39 x 10	Quartz movement 16 functions Bezel also available in gold From 1980

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