The rumor mill is abuzz with news of an uprising within the Swatch Group. With Omega reaching higher ranks, it’s a race between Tissot and Longines to take up that position. However, Mido Watches offers great luxury watches that are still hidden among these ranks. We think that the Mido Ocean Star collection deserves more recognition, considering the bang for the buck it offers.
History Of Mido Watches
A Swiss watch brand founded in 1918 and part of the Swatch Group since 1985, Mido has produced innovative watches. Some of the high-quality watches can even be justified as pioneers in the industry. In 1930, Mido developed the “Aquadora” sealing system by placing a watertight cork gasket between the crown and the case. This was one of the first solutions for making waterproof watch cases back in the time.
The brand released the Mido Multifort watch in 1934, which became the first automatic anti-magnetic watch in history. The series remains popular to this very day. Then, the Mido MultiCenter Chrono, released in 1945, became the first chronograph watch featuring a central display for elapsed time. Again, in 1954, Mido introduced the Powerwind automatic winding system with a reduced number of parts in its mechanism for increased efficiency.
Introducing The Mido Ocean Star Collection
The Ocean Star collection, introduced in the late 1950s, was designed to cater to professional divers. Upon release, this Mido dive watch series initially used the brand’s “Aquadora” waterproofing system. Combined with the noteworthy single-shelled case, the Ocean Star Mido watches instantly became one of the most notable dive watch series within the whole Swatch Group at the time.
Through continuous improvements over the decades, the series has improved its performance significantly. They have upgraded the water resistance bar, incorporated high-tech materials into the build, and added many functions. Notable models in the series also use advanced ETA movements, which are also used by high-end brands like Omega, Tag Huer, Hamilton, and others. All these combined have evolved the Mido Ocean Star collection into one of the perfect luxury dive watches in the market today.
Key Models In The Mido Ocean Star Collection
Today, before settling for Tissot or Longines, we believe one should check out the vast options within the Mido watches Ocean Star series. These six remarkable models stand out the most among the collection.
Mido Ocean Star 600 Chronometer
This is the flagship model of the collection, featuring a COSC-certified chronometer movement and pried a little steep between $1500-$2000. The Ocean Star 600 Chronometer offers an impressive 600 meters of water resistance. Also features a unidirectional rotating bezel with a ceramic insert and a helium escape valve; it’s the ideal choice for professional divers. Plus, the hands and markers are coated with Super-LumiNova providing excellent legibility underwater. It also has the Caliber 80 Si movement and includes a silicon balance spring, keeping the time more accurate and resistant to magnetic fields.
Mido Ocean Star Tribute
Paying homage to the original Ocean Star models, the Ocean Star Tribute edition, at around $1000, combines modern features with a vintage look. The watch is powered by the Caliber 80 movement with an 80-hour power reserve. Its retro-inspired design includes a gradient dial, complete with a domed sapphire crystal and a bidirectional ceramic rotating bezel. The model is water-resistant up to 200 meters and is perfect for serious diving as well as everyday wear. It’s everything you need if you love a touch of retro in your wardrobe.
Mido Ocean Star GMT
Designed especially for globetrotters, the Ocean Star GMT combines all the features of a dive watch with a dual-time zone function. The sleek stainless steel case with scratch-resistant sapphire crystal design makes it sturdy and comfortable to wear for frequent travelers who need to keep track of multiple time zones. The perfect combination of diver and traveller watch all under $1500. It’s also equipped with a 200-meter water resistance, and Super LumiNova coated hands and indices so that you can easily take it underwater. Our favorite Mido Ocean Star GMT model has to be the M026.629.22.051.00, with its rose gold PVD coating. A real looker!
Mido Ocean Star 200 Automatic
This is probably the most basic model within the whole series, with a 200m water resistance. It’s a classic diver watch without too many complications. This makes it perfect for first-time buyers who are still figuring their way out in the world of dive watches. It has an aluminum bezel with a stainless steel body and a traditional diver design. The watch uses the well-known Powermatic 80 movement, which is based on the ETA CO7.611. It provides an extended power reserve of 80 hours and ticks at 21,600 vibrations per hour. Previously called the “Captain,” it’s priced around $1000, with the closest companion being the Mido Ocean Star 200C.
Mido Ocean Star Decompression
This is undoubtedly the perfect piece if you want to stand out with your dive watch! The Mido Ocean Star Decompression’s colorful and historically inspired dial stands out. Its vibrant, colorful dial with concentric rings and a notched rotating bezel is hugely inspired by the classic 1961 “Rainbow” diver. But that’s not all, the inner multicolored sectors also serve as a decompression scale designed to help divers track decompression stops. The bezel combines a 60-minute dive scale with the names of 24 world cities, each representing a different time zone. It’s easy to line up the city ring with the central GMT hand and the outer 24-hour ring to see the time anywhere in the world. The Mido automatic watch features the ETA C07.661 movement with GMT and an 80-hour power reserve. For being priced under $1500, it offers a lot of things that similar watches simply can’t.
Mido Ocean Star 200C
Now, this is a significant improvement over the previous Mido Automatic watch. Both the pieces offer 200m of water resistance and the same kind of movement, so what makes this one different? Well, consider these reasons. In this watch, the “C” in its name stands for ceramic and points to the superior ceramic engraved bezels. Whereas the Automatic version, the Tribute, and the Decompression models feature classic or vintage looks inspired by the 1950s – 1980s, this one has a much more contemporary and bold look. The dial is beautifully textured, resembling ocean waves, and the markers are much round with skeletal hands. The models in this collection range around $1000 and even have a lightweight titanium body and bracelet version on the market. Just the perfect modern kick that this series needed!
Mido Ocean Star Comparison: Tissot Seastar, Certina DS, Longines Hydroconquest
While we acknowledge that each brand from the Swatch group has its own unique strengths, Mido watches also hold a solid position in several key areas. Here’s a detailed comparison of our favorite Swatch brands.
Tissot Seastar
Tissot is superior when it comes to the water resistance department with all the base Seaster models having 300m of water resistance compared to Ocean Star Mido’s 200m. However, both brands have a 600m water resistance bar when it comes to their highest models, namely the Tissot Seastar 2000 and the Mido Ocean Star 600.
Both the watches are robust and high-performance. Tissot has a few Seaster models with quartz movements, while Mido uses a superior Automatic ETA movement for its dive watch series. Many models in the Mido watch lineup are inspired by retro looks, while the Tissot watches look completely modern.
Where the Mido truly excels is in its refined finish and sleek case design, with the use of superior materials like ceramic and titanium. The attention to detail, such as Omega-esque design elements and vintage-inspired models like the Ocean Star Tribute, give it a distinct edge in terms of style. Additionally, the Mido Ocean Star’s blend of sporty and dressy style makes it truly diverse, transitioning seamlessly from casual to formal settings, a versatility that the Tissot Seastar often lacks.
Certina DS Action Diver
Both the Mido Ocean Star and Certina DS Action Diver are celebrated for their excellent build quality and durability. The Certina DS (Double Security) system is highly regarded for its added protection against shocks and water infiltration, making it a great choice for active use. However, the Mido Ocean Star offers a wider variety of models, including those with ceramic bezels and titanium cases. These features make it sturdy and also provide a premium, luxurious feel for the user.
Mido is often highlighted for its stylish design elements, such as gradient dials and Super-LumiNova markers, which feature additional functions like GMT and look amazing. This design versatility makes the Mido dive watch a more attractive option for those who value both durability and style
Longines HydroConquest
The Longines HydroConquest features the exclusive L888 movement, known for its precision and slightly higher power reserve compared to the Mido watch’s Powermatic 80. Despite this, the Mido’s movement is highly regarded for its 80-hour power reserve and reliability, making it a strong competitor. Users often note that while the Longines HydroConquest may have a marginal edge in finish quality, the difference is minor.
Both watches are well-built, but the Mido watch frequently provides better value for money. The brand offers high-quality features at a more accessible price point. Additionally, the Mido Ocean Star models are praised for their comfort, making them perfect for everyday wear as well. Some users find the Longines HydroConquest to be slightly bulkier, making it difficult to maneuver all the time. Meanwhile, the Mido maintains a perfect balance of form and function.
Mido Watches Review: Why Should You Choose Them?
Diver watches are one of the most expensive watches in the world, but you can’t deny that they are multi-purpose. Hence, choosing a diver watch for yourself consists of looking at factors like performance, design, and affordability. Let’s see how the Mido Ocean Star collection measures up to these qualities.
Great Water Resistance:
The Mido dive watch collection is specifically designed for diving, with models offering water resistance up to 600 meters. The brand once pioneered one of the first watch waterproofing systems in the world. They have improved their Aquadura cork-crown sealing system since and are using it. The system ensures that these watches remain watertight under extreme conditions, a feature particularly beneficial for divers and water sports enthusiasts.
Powermatic 80 Movement:
The Powermatic 80 movement, found in many Ocean Star models, provides an extended 80-hour power reserve, while most other watches only provide about 40 hours of power reserve. This allows the watch to run for over three days without needing to be wound. This movement includes a Nivachron balance spring, which offers enhanced resistance to magnetic fields, thereby improving the watch’s accuracy and reliability. This makes the watch series dependable and precise under any condition.
Lightweight Titanium Build:
Certain models in the Ocean Star collection, such as the Ocean Star 200c Titanium, utilize titanium for their case construction. Titanium is known for its excellent strength-to-weight ratio, making these watches both lightweight and comfortable to wear while keeping the robust build. Titanium also offers superior corrosion resistance and is hypoallergenic, which is ideal for prolonged exposure to seawater.
Ceramic Bezels Resistant To Scratch:
The Ocean Star 200C and other models feature ceramic bezels, which are highly resistant to scratches and wear. This material not only enhances the longevity and durability of the watch but also maintains its aesthetic appeal over time. The ceramic bezel’s resistance to UV light prevents fading, ensuring that the watch retains its sharp and clean look.
Excellent Value For Money:
The Mido Ocean Star offers exceptional value compared to other luxury dive watches. With prices often below $1,500, these watches provide high-end features such as advanced water resistance, durable materials like titanium and ceramic, and the reliable Powermatic 80 movement. This makes the Ocean Star a cost-effective choice without compromising on quality or performance, offering features that are typically found in more expensive brands.
Our Opinion On The Mido Ocean Star Collection
After exploring the collection thoroughly, we’ve come up with a list of positive and negative aspects of the series that will guide you further. Here’s our opinion on this underrated Swatch series.
Positives
The best thing about the Mido Ocean Star collection is the variety of models. There’s something that caters to different preferences, from professional divers to vintage watch enthusiasts. These features further solidify our love for the brand.
1. COSC-Certified Chronometer Movement:
The top model of the collection, the Mido Ocean Star 600 Chronometer, features a COSC-certified movement. This certification is awarded to movements that pass stringent testing by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). It’s very difficult to come by and is awarded after vigorous testing of the watch. This ensures a higher level of precision overall.
2. Unique Decompression Scale Dial:
One of the models in the collection, the Mido Ocean Star Decompression features a distinctive decompression scale dial, which is both functional and visually appealing. This dial is designed to help divers track their decompression stops during ascents, a crucial aspect of safe diving. The decompression scale is color-coded and easy to read, allowing divers to reference necessary stops quickly. This unique feature sets the particular model apart from other dive watches on the market.
3. Double-Sided Anti-Reflective Sapphire Crystal:
All the current models in the Mido Ocean Star collection are equipped with a sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating on both sides. Sapphire crystal, being one of the hardest minerals in the world, is highly impact and scratch-resistant under the toughest conditions. The crystal also ensures maximum clarity and legibility, whether in bright sunlight or underwater. Sapphire crystal also maintains the watch’s pristine appearance over time, enriching your experience with it, even after many years.
4. Titanium Case Options:
Certain models in the Ocean Star collection, such as the Ocean Star 200C, offer titanium case options. As mentioned in this article before, this is a huge point in favor of Mido watches. Titanium is known for being super strong and lightweight, which makes the watch both tough and comfortable to wear. It’s also hypoallergenic and stands up well to seawater corrosion, so it’s perfect for dive watches.
5. Retro-Inspired Designs:
The Ocean Star Tribute models perfectly combine modern functions and features, all while paying tribute to the glorious past (1960s – 80s). The design has a funky vibe all over with gradient dials, domed sapphire crystals, and vintage-style markers and hands. They are a homage to the original Ocean Star designs from the 1960s. At the same time, features like the Caliber 80 movement and improved water resistance make it one of the best modern luxury dive watches as well.
Negatives
On the flip side, if you are looking for more affordable options, looking at Japanese watch brands may be more helpful. However, among the Swatch Group, Mido is considered a mid-range luxury watch brand. Somewhere, we know that Mido still has an extra mile to go before it reaches true elite status as a swatch.
1. Limited Availability Of Certain Models:
Some specific models or limited editions within the Ocean Star collection can be hard to find, making it challenging for collectors to acquire them. People may find it frustrating to locate highly sought-after models, particularly those produced in limited quantities.
2. Thickness And Size:
Some users find the watches, particularly the more robust diving models, to be relatively thick and large, which might not be comfortable for all wrist sizes. While the size and thickness enhance durability and water resistance, if you have a smaller wrist or if you just prefer sleeker watches, you may find them cumbersome. Ultimately, it depends on your preference.
3. Acrylic Crystals in Vintage Models:
One of the most sought-after vintage models of the series, released in the 1980s, the Commander Ocean Star Datoday combines the Ocean Star with the highly popular “Commander” series. However, the model features acrylic crystals, which are more prone to scratches compared to modern sapphire crystals. While enthusiasts appreciate the historical authenticity of acrylic crystals, they also acknowledge the higher maintenance required to keep the watch looking clear and scratch-free.
4. Bracelet Comfort And Fit:
Some users have reported issues with the fit and comfort of the metal bracelets, particularly those with mesh designs. Adjustments can be challenging, and the clasp mechanisms may feel stiff or difficult to use. Although the bracelet design is appreciated for its aesthetic value, it just doesn’t feel as practical and comfortable as straps or bracelets.
5. Non-COSC Certification In Some Models:
While many Mido watches feature precise movements, not all Ocean Star models are COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres) certified, which is a standard for Swiss chronometer accuracy. Watch purists and those highly focused on precision might prefer models with COSC certification. Hence, the absence of this certification in some models is a drawback despite the general reliability of Mido’s movements. Mixed reviews much?
Conclusion
We know that, from a closer look, Mido watches do have some drawbacks. But let’s be honest, who doesn’t? If your favorite watch brand offers all the features, then they are going to charge a fortune. Similarly, if you settle for a budget, you may miss out on cool features. So, looking at the features and the variety, we can attest that Mido is a great brand that offers you a luxurious feel and top-notch features at a reasonable price.
The Mido Ocean Star can be compared to similar dive watches in this forte, and we think given the price, they deserve a chance among top collections like the Seastar and Action Diver. So, next time you’re in the market for a dive watch, be sure to look through the versatile selection of Ocean Star models. We bet out of them, you’ll be compelled to take one home.
FAQ
In our opinion, Mido watches have a great value-for-money potential among the Swatch Group ranks. The brand has everything, from heritage, history, and innovation to versatility, that makes it is an entry-level luxury swatch brand. However, this is not to say that they won’t rise in rank to one of the top positions in the group.
Mido watches are renowned for their high-quality movements, some of which are COSC-certified. These movements are reliable for both everyday wear and professional diving.
The Mido Ocean Star series is one of the best luxury Swiss dive watch series in the market right now. They have a good review, and users have no complaints about their underwater performance. Plus, the watches are easy to go, whether you’re dressing up or dressing down.
