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The Davosa Ternos Ceramic GMT is one of the most popular models of the Swiss brand. Sure, a good GMT diver with the iconic red-blue bezel is always an eye-catcher. But is the Ceramic GMT worth it away from the Pepsi design? I recently tested it. The result is quite impressive…

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Who needs Rolex? Davosa Ternos Ceramic GMT Pepsi Diver – UNBOXING – Test

Ternos – Davosa’s diving classic

Within the Diving division at Davosa, the Ternos name is a staple of the watch brand, whose tradition dates back to 1881. However, not all Ternos are created equal. At its base, each of the sub-collections is based on a typical diver’s watch case with rotatable high-tech ceramic bezel and easy-to-read dial. Depending on budget and preference, the customer can then select their desired watch from one of the sub-categories. While the Davosa Ternos Sixties is already at just under 800 euros, other series can well exceed the 1400 euro mark.

The Ternos collection explained

Davosa Ternos Ceramic GMT Pepsi Diver
Photo © 2022 by WATCHDAVID® David Drilling – All rights reserved

The Ternos Ceramic GMT is located in these regions. Like other watch brands, Davosa has recognized the popularity of world time watches with GMT hands and combined the function with the advantages of conventional diving watches. Offshoots with GMT function are now available in the Ceramic and Professional subclasses. Right up front, the info: Despite these “class differences”, the world time watches with two-tone bezel are very similar. The biggest difference between Ceramic GMT and Professional GMT is the case diameter. Ceramic watches are slightly more compact. However, a ceramic bezel can also be found on Professional models. Likewise, the appendix “TT”, which stands for Two-Tone, is missing on the Ceramic models. All this may be a bit confusing, which is why I sort the series in such detail at the beginning. I hope it makes the buying process easier for you in the end.

According to Davosa, the Ternos Ceramic GMT with the reference number 161.590.60 and the TriaLink bracelet is one of the most sought-after watches from the diving division. Its trademark is the two-tone bezel in blue and red, which fans also like to nickname the “Pepsi” bezel. Three other color variations are also available. An iconic GMT design, Swiss quality and an automatic movement – what more could you ask for? 

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Unboxing 

Davosa Ternos Ceramic GMT Pepsi Diver
Photo © 2022 by WATCHDAVID® David Drilling – All rights reserved

The Davosa Ternos Ceramic GMT is delivered in a black box. The manufacturer has not skimped on the protective film – which in turn saves you from annoying micro-scratches. A user manual explains the setting of the clock and world time in a very informative way. 

Fascination GMT – why hybrid watches are must-haves

Photo © 2022 by WATCHDAVID® David Drilling – All rights reserved

I already described it in the introduction. Ever since Rolex introduced the Submariner GMT with a red-blue bezel, the design, known simply as “Pepsi” in fan jargon, has been cult. The similarity to the logo of the American soft drink giant is self-explanatory. However, quality doesn’t have to cost 10,000 euros or more. At a price of 1,458.00 euros, the Davosa Ternos Ceramic GMT is much more compatible with the wallet and still promises good quality. Visually, the compact Ternos is immediately appealing. While it doesn’t set off a design revolution, it exactly matches what you’d expect from a Pepsi GMT diver. The similarities to other GMT models available on the market cannot be denied.

This opens up a wide range of possibilities, as the Davosa Ternos Ceramic GMT proves to be a true daily rocker. It’s not without reason that diving watches with a world time bezel and GMT hands are becoming increasingly popular. Who doesn’t want to quickly check on a business trip to make sure you don’t wake up your partner at home and jump into the pool right after work? Consequently, a sporty, timeless hybrid watch belongs in every watch collection, not to mention Daily Rocker qualities… Compared to monochrome bezels in black or dark blue, the reference 161.590.60 looks much more playful, lively and yet timeless, classic and sporty on the wrist. Who would have thought that a diver’s watch could have so many facets?

The Davosa Ternos Ceramic GMT on the wrist

Davosa Ternos Ceramic GMT Pepsi Diver
Photo © 2022 by WATCHDAVID® David Drilling – All rights reserved

The only thing you should pay attention to is the case size. With a diameter of 40 millimeters, the Ternos Ceramic is relatively compact and rather reminiscent of historical diving watches of the 20th century. The advantage: the model is also perfectly suitable as a ladies’ watch. So whether you should buy the Davosa Ternos Ceramic GMT is not a question of gender. However, if you prefer it a size larger, you should go for the Ternos Professional TT GMT. This is 2 millimeters larger in diameter and, at 15.5 millimeters, slightly thicker than the Ceramic. Otherwise, the watches are very similar.

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The case in detail

Photo © 2022 by WATCHDAVID® David Drilling – All rights reserved

When we talk about the case, we first have to look at the rotating GMT bezel. On the basis of this, the second time zone can be read. The two-tone design is not just decorative. It marks the night half in blue and the day half in red. In the manufacturing process, the bezel is made of high-tech ceramic, which makes it less sensitive to scratches. Davosa also highlights the corrosion and heat resistance. Unlike other competitors, the GMT bezel is unidirectional instead of ambidextrous. This means it can still be used by ambitious divers. 

The case midsection blends into the lugs with a curved shape and measures 47.9 millimeters in length. Just these dimensions are more important to many than the diameter, as the watch should fit comfortably on the wrist with its horns. Each case is made of stainless steel, whose workmanship leaves nothing to be desired. This is premium quality that inspires. All surfaces are both satin and polished. 

An internal anti-reflective coating improves the readability of the dial through the sapphire crystal. This is flat. In cross-section, it is topped by the cyclops magnifier, which sits above the date window at 3 o’clock and is meant to improve its legibility. The magnifier is often the subject of discussion and polarizes. Personally, I really like its use in the Davosa Ternos Ceramic GMT. Davosa claims a maximum water resistance of 200 meters. The value is fine, even though hardly any of us are likely to ever wear the watch at such depths. The caseback was screwed down.

Davosa’s DAV 3032 and what’s behind it

Photo © 2022 by WATCHDAVID® David Drilling – All rights reserved

Davosa’s DAV 3032 caliber is not an in-house creation, but rather an “alias”. The Swiss brand traditionally uses movements from well-known Swiss manufacturers. In this case, we get a SW330-1 from Sellita, which is quite respectable. Among other things, it collects plus points with its power reserve of 42 hours. As far as I’m concerned, Davosa could do without its own designation in the future. A Sellita SW330-1 doesn’t scare me personally. On the contrary, it is a reason to buy!

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Davosa Ternos Ceramic GMT dial and bracelet

Davosa Ternos Ceramic GMT Pepsi Diver
Photo © 2022 by WATCHDAVID® David Drilling – All rights reserved

There is a reason why diving watches have been equipped with the characteristic dial again and again for 60 years. The arrangement of the indices appears harmonious, the readability unsurpassed. This is also the case with the Davosa Ternos Ceramic GMT. Hands and indices are covered with BGW09 SuperLuminova and shine brightly and evenly. Its red marking visually highlights the GMT hand, which makes the dial even clearer. Intermediate conclusion: you can find your way around here right away!

Photo © 2022 by WATCHDAVID® David Drilling – All rights reserved

Davosa equipped my Ternos Ceramic GMT with a strap called TriaLink for this watch review, which is probably what the majority of customers will choose. Alternatively, a PentaLink strap is also available, which seems a bit more upscale and less sporty. The quality of the links is also convincing here. This also applies to the wearing comfort. The lug width is 20 millimeters. 

My conclusion about the Davosa Ternos Ceramic GMT

Photo © 2022 by WATCHDAVID® David Drilling – All rights reserved

So slowly, Davosa is becoming the price-performance king. I don’t want to claim that the Ternos Ceramic GMT is cheap with a price of 1,458.00 Euro. But it is definitely good value for money. This is due to the quality level, which the Swiss manufacturer puts on the day. Be it the ceramic bezel, the well-made case or the built-in Sellita caliber. The Davosa Ternos Ceramic GMT simply does not make any mistakes.

This good overall impression is garnished by a look that does not revolutionize watch design, but appears rock solid. The manufacturer’s motivation is understandable. Watches like this Pepsi GMT are what customers want to wear. After all, the evergreen in red and blue is always a good match. For this reason, I can also highly recommend the Davosa Ternos Ceramic GMT. 

By the way, we recommend the Davosa Vintage Diver Pepsi GMT to beginners. This model convinces with the same concept. You can buy it for a few hundred Euros. All important links can be found below.

More about Davosa and the Ternos Ceramic GMT

Here you can find the watch in the store

The whole collection at a glance

My Davosa watch reviews

GMT watches in my blog

Watch photography

Gallery

Technical Details

NameTernos Ceramic GMT

Reference number161.590.60

BrandDavosa

Categorydiving watches / GMT watches

Price from1,458.00 Euros

Warranty2 years

Case Material316L stainless steel

Diameter40.00 mm

High12.20 mm

Watch Glassanti-reflective coating / Sapphire Crystal

Watch TypeAutomatic

Waterproof20 bar (200 m / 660 ft)

Movement NameDAV 3032 (based on Sellita SW330-1)

Power Reserve42 hours

Functionsdate / GMT / hour / Minute / second

Dialblack

Indicesdots

Special FeaturesBGW9 Super Luminova

BezelGMT function / Pepsi-Design

Bracelet Colorgrey

Bracelet Material316L stainless steel

Clasp316L stainless steel / folding clasp

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