Historic Swiss watchmaker Certina is strongly associated with sport, adventure and performance. Its activity in padel started quite naturally and has developed into a portfolio of partnerships.
The Padel Paper sat down with Certina CEO, Dieter Pachner, to talk about the brand’s connections with pro players and padel’s ever-expanding community.
What are the origins of the Certina brand?
Certina was born in Grenchen, Switzerland in 1888. From the very beginning, the focus was on precision, reliability and creating timepieces that could stand up to everyday challenges. This commitment is rooted in the ultra-robust DS (Double Security) Concept which revolutionized shock and water resistance in 1959. We’ve continued to build on that innovation ever since. Most recently, in 2025, we introduced the DS Concept Extreme Shock Resistance, taking durability even further and giving the DS Action collection an even higher level of protection.
©Alyssa van Heyst for KNLTB Padel
Certina is often found in extreme conditions – the cold of skiing and in the depths of the sea – what does this tell you about the brand, and why did you choose padel as your next sport?
Throughout its history, Certina has been closely associated with sport, adventure and performance. In that sense, padel came to us quite naturally. Initially, it was a request from our colleagues in Sweden back in 2020, where padel has been increasingly growing in popularity. So, we seized the opportunity to support this sport early on, as we anticipated its rapid growth and rising popularity across most of the markets where the brand is present.
In 2023, we partnered with Marta Ortega, the youngest No.1 in professional padel and one of the top Spanish players. We also collaborate with padel federations in Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Poland and Germany. So, we have different partnerships all over Europe in padel and this is only the beginning.
It’s really the perfect sport for us. It’s quite easy to learn compared to other racquet sports and it’s very dynamic and fast. It also attracts a younger audience which is key to our brand.
Certina is also seen a lot elsewhere in the European padel market, with different partnerships for different tours and tournaments. What do these range of partnerships mean for the brand?
For us, it’s about being part of the wider padel ecosystem, not just one tour or one event. By partnering with different tours and tournaments, we are able to reach diverse audiences across different markets, reinforcing Certina’s position as a watchmaker that’s invested in padel’s growth. It also means Certina can maintain a consistent presence throughout the calendar and across Europe, helping the brand connect with both pro players and the rapidly expanding fan community.
How is Certina involved in these events, including the Pro Am Padel Tour?
We’re involved in padel on a number of different levels. As well as supporting high-quality tournaments and events like the Pro Am Padel Tour, we’re also proud to serve as the official timekeeper for organisations such as the National Federation of Padel in the Netherlands and Swiss Padel.
What does the partnership with the Pro Am Padel Tour mean for the brand?
The Pro Am Padel Tour is a great fit for Certina because it brings together everything we value in sport – performance, passion and a strong sense of community. It’s a professionally run series that attracts talented players while also creating an inclusive and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
For us, the partnership is about more than brand visibility. It’s an opportunity to be part of the sport’s continued growth and to support events that are helping to raise the profile of padel. We want to be present where players and fans come together, creating meaningful connections with the community and demonstrating our long-term commitment to the game.
Presumably padel is a useful market to be in currently given its rapid growth? What are the growth objectives for Certina in the next five years and how will your presence in padel help achieve that?
As one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, padel is attracting a new generation of players and fans, so it’s a very exciting space for us to be part of. The sport has a unique energy and sense of community, and it allows us to engage with people who share our values of performance, precision and an active lifestyle.
Over the next five years, one of our key ambitions is to continue growing awareness of Certina among younger audiences while reinforcing our position as the original sports watch brand. Sport has always been part of our DNA, and padel is a natural extension of that heritage.
Do you believe that padel will become a truly global sport? Will it make the Olympics?
It’s exciting to see the sport continuing to grow in new markets around the world but whether it ultimately becomes a truly global sport or joins the Olympic programme is difficult to say, and I wouldn’t want to speculate.
As a brand which sells a range of watches for different purposes, styles, and for both men and women, padel must appeal due to the fact everyone can be involved?
Absolutely. One of the things that makes padel so appealing is its accessibility. It is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, genders and experience levels.
Finally, what is the perfect Certina watch for a padel player and why?
The DS Action family is a great choice for padel players because it combines a sporty, contemporary design with the robustness and reliability that Certina is known for. Padel is a fast-paced sport with a lot of movements, quick reactions and intense rallies, so players need a watch that can keep up with the demands of the game. It is also extremely resistant to shocks thanks to Certina’s DS Concept Extreme Shock Resistance, making it a reliable partner on and off the court.
