Certina Shoot-Out : PH200 v PH500

[OrangeSport]

I'm lucky enough to have two divers from Certina's Heritage range: the DS PH200M and the DS Super PH500M. On the face of it they're very simar, but actually they're really quite different.

Both are available in a couple of versions (strap / colour variations) so I'll concentrate on the versions I have.

The 200 has an MSRP of £680 with the Milanese and NATO straps and the 500 is £795 on the rubber strap.

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The 500 is only a little bigger, 43mm by 14.95mm compared to 42.8mm by 12.9mm, but it feels more substantial. You really notice the height difference. Both are very comfortable but the cases are completely different shapes.

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Where the 200 is brushed, the 500 is polished. Both have very nicely finished case backs. My particular version of the 500 is a special edition so has the VDST case back.

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The faces are similar designs, with the same lume performance, date widow at 3 (balanced with a smaller hour marker) and cross hairs. These are very retro looking watches. The sword hands give excellent legibility and the black face of the 200 seems to contrast the lume better in mid to low light than the orange face on the 500. In the dark they are identical.

The bezels are very different. The 200 has an aluminium 60 click item which clicks into place firmly but has more play than the 500's. The 500 also has an aluminium bezel, but it is 120 clicks and it must be pushed down to turn it. It's a very nice system.

The 500 has a standard Saphire crystal, the 200 has a lovely domed Hesalite item with scratch resistance which gives some lovely distortion and feel. That adds some interest to the dial, whereas the 500 has more natural depth as it's, well, deeper...

The rubber strap on the 500 is lovely, it's converted me to rubber straps. The Milanese on the 200 is also great, but I've not tried the NATO which came with it. It looks high quality though, and comes with a spare set of quick release spring bars.

The crown on the 200 is easier to operate. The 500's is a bit more tricky to grip.

The movements are almost identical. Automatic and slowed to 6 beats per second to achieve 90 hours power reserve. The 200 appears to be running spot on so far, whereas the 500 is a couple of seconds fast per day. The 500 has an antimagnetic balance spring.

Overall these are both great watches but they feel surprisingly different. The best way I can describe it is that the 500 has joined the watches which live in the safe when off my wrist but the 200 is in a watch box in the bedroom. The 500 just feels a bit more special and has a bit more presence in my opinion.

Both highly recommended though and represent amazing value for money. Thanks for reading...

[hobbit712]

Nice comparison. Love both of them.

[alund]

I like both of them, Nice job on the comparison

[aikiman44]

Great post and Certinas.

[djh1201]

Nice! Couldn't agree more - I've owned both, was initially surprised how different they are.

[OrangeSport]

Thanks for the comments everyone

[BacoNoir]

Great write up. I’d love a 200 ND version.

[hoppyjr]

Nice write up. I had the 200 and quite liked it. I would own another. I also considered the 500 twice now, but I would wear it on a Zulu strap and I think that would just make it too tall.

[OrangeSport]

Nice write up. I had the 200 and quite liked it. I would own another. I also considered the 500 twice now, but I would wear it on a Zulu strap and I think that would just make it too tall.

It would be tall on a Zulu. Too tall? I would guess it would be OK with a T-Shirt / short sleeves..

It does come on with the
black dial..

[OrangeSport]

Great write up. I’d love a 200 ND version.

ND version?

[hoppyjr]

Great write up. I’d love a 200 ND version.

ND version?

I believe he’s saying he would like a no date version of the 200. I would too.

[BacoNoir]

Great write up. I’d love a 200 ND version.

ND version?

I believe he’s saying he would like a no date version of the 200. I would too.

Yep

[OrangeSport]

Oh yes!

Always they best option if it’s available

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Sorry, didn’t click for some reason... still early here !!

[mattcantwin]

Great to see a comparison, with pictures, of the two watches; thanks.