Mido Ocean Star: The Born of The Sea Master

Introduction: About Mido

Mido has more than a century of watchmaking knowledge. At that time, it built a reputation for creating high quality watches at affordable prices. However, the brand has frequently flown under the radar throughout its history, tacitly setting achievements with releases like the original Multifort Automatic in the 1930s, which was one of the first watches to combine water and shock resistance with anti-magnetic and self-resistance winding motion.

Today, Mido's flagship line is the Ocean Star and has been a cornerstone of the company since its launch in 1944. The collection consists of a wide variety of dive watches, equipped with features to cater to both amateur and professional divers as well as professional divers. who just appreciate the aesthetics of a dive watch. The revolutionary GMT with local hands, both of which easily retain the look and feel of a classic dive watch, are recent additions to the Ocean Star collection. After the huge success of the Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 Limited Edition earlier this year, we are excited to welcome the expanded Mido Ocean Star collection to the Gnomon store.

(Multifort line marked another milestone in the history of MIDO watches. Photo credit: midowatches.com)

A Little Backstory About Mido

Mido's roots are traced back to 1918 and watchmaker Georges Schaeren. After the Armistice officially ended World War I on November 11, Schaeren decided it was time for a fresh start - the same day, he founded the Mido brand. He closed a modest finishing shop, trademarked under the name "MIDO," and entered into a partnership with a businessman named Hugo Jubert. Next to Schaeren and Juburt is Schaeren's younger brother, Henri. He was responsible for drafting the name Mido from the Spanish phrase yo mido or "I measure" and later joining his brother as a partner after five years serving as head of sales for OMEGA. For the next four decades, the company remains a family business.

At that time, Mido made several impressive achievements. By the 1930s Mido had made interesting developments in waterproof technology. This invented "Aquadura", a unique crown sealing system consisting of a cork that prevents water and dust from reaching movement through the crown. Soon after, the brand launched the Multifort Automatic in 1935, after two years of research and development. This model was one of the first watches on the market to incorporate four main elements. It offers water resistance, magnet resistance, shock resistance and automatic movement.

Ultimately, these characteristics will become the guiding principles for the Mido brand and lead it to growth and success. Since then, its mission has been simple: to make watches that are straightforward and practical with automatic movements that are highly resistant, even in the most extreme conditions.

The following decade, Mido had another first opportunity with the introduction of the Multicenterchrono in 1941. This model marked the first chronograph to display time measured using an indicator in the center of the watch as opposed to a sub-dial. The design offered optimal time measurement readability and was then used by a group of pilots who set new records for round-the-world flights. Finally, in 1971, the Schaeren family would sell Mido to General Watch Co. Ltd (GWC), a holding company owned by ASUAG, which later became the Swatch Group.

Origins Of The Ocean Star Collection

At the southernmost point of Europe stands an important monument called the Europa Point Lighthouse. Since 1841, this structure has watched over the Strait of Gibraltar, emitting a powerful beam of light that guides sailors through the rough waters between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Mido takes inspiration from this 179-year-old lineage for his flagship collection Ocean Star.

Its roots are traced back to 1942 when the brand marked its famous starfish trademark at its crest as a symbol of its advances in waterproof technology. Two years later, he registered another trademark, the name "OCEANSTAR," and thus officially started the foundations for one of Mido's most iconic collections. The Ocean Star line is renowned for its reliability, as is the Europa Point Lighthouse.

The name Ocean Star has always represented a strong lineup of watches. However, it took decades before it developed into the diver's tool we associate with its current collection. This evolution was marked by the release of the brand's first decompression timer in 1961: the Powerwind 1000 ref. 5907. This model introduces a more robust set of technical features, particularly for diving, including water resistance up to 1,000 feet and a combination of a rotating bezel and multicolored dial indicating decompression stop. 

If this sounds familiar, it's because the concept serves as the basis for the latest 'Rainbow Diver' that was introduced at the Gnomon store this summer. However, it is important to note the importance of this model in the historical context of Mido and the Ocean Star line in order to understand Mido's conscious attempt to represent his past in his modern watch.

Mido Ocean Star Tribute Blue Ref. M026.830.11.041.00

"Completes 75th Anniversary Of The Iconis Collection."

Seventy-five years after the launch of its first Ocean Star, in honor of this iconic set, recognized since the 1940s for its relentless water resistance, MIDO is launching a special edition set. 

These two Ocean Star Tributes are amazing contemporary reinterpretations produced in the 1960s of diver's watches. 

The Ocean Star is a marine watch collection brand consisting of the most modern Swiss Made divers in various color variants and strap combinations. Every piece of this collection is modernly designed both inside and out, to this day where Mido takes on the bold challenge of reviving a resonant part of his watchmaking legacy in the form of the Ocean Star Tribute Blue M026.830.11.041.00 we face. to introduce. The design cues closely mirror the vintage MIDO SkyDive Diver and 37mm Scuba Diver, while the resemblance is closer to the latter for its hour markers.

The Ocean Star Tribute is sized for modern tastes with a casing 40.5 mm in diameter and 13.4 mm in height. The archetype that has characterized the world of diving watches since its success in the 60s for recreational diving is a straightforward and robust design. The Ocean Star Tribute further carries the iconic straight lugs center case design with a blend of high finishes on all sides to complete the watch face of the 60s.

The finish here is, frankly, almost perfect, lifting the extravagant side of the image. The bezel has a blue-blue hue, and is narrow as it should be, rotating with 60 clicks sharply counterclockwise. The back case has a lovely surprise in storehouse - decorated with a polished relief of a starfish, a historical symbol of the Starfish.

Let's admit it a little here, we are at Gnomon Watches and we bet many of you really appreciate the incredible vintage re-edition, wait, we mean anything, to be nicely done up in today's Swiss Made luxury standards! Kudos to Mido that Ocean Star Tribute fulfills this level continuously.

Pioneer of waterproof cases in the early 30s, Mido is water resistant to 20 bar (200 m / 660 ft), an essential feature of any diver's watch, while most of us probably take it to the beach to sunbathe with the kids. our child, or to the office behind our desk to "dive in."

Now let's move on to what lies beneath a very durable square sapphire crystal. The block-shaped hour marker is beautifully painted on the blue and blue dial, with hashtags in between for a more precise reading, The orange seconds hand is right here while enhancing readability for the wearer. All of these traits are the definition and nod to a 60s dive watch. Oh, to ensure perfect readability, whatever the circumstances, Super-LumiNova® is added to the index and hands. 

Lastly, a multi-link mesh band made of steel in the same impeccable finish, gives the Ocean Star Tribute the extraordinary retro look that was responsible for the success of the original model. The signed buckles have a diver extension that allows one to adjust easily.

Until recently the look and vibe of what a diver of the 60s should have been, this move shifted things to the modern side - the 80 caliber of the MIDO based on the ETA C07.621 with a full 80 hours power reserve. The Caliber 80 is considered in-house because MIDO is part of the Swatch group family, and the modified ETA CO7.621 features a Nivachoc balance spring with its frequency reduced to 21,600 Hz for and increased mainspring capacity. The 80 caliber inside the Ocean Star makes it especially valuable as it covers one of the highest quality movements of today for an incredible price.

An additional strap comes with Ocean Star Tribute Blue - a matching blue technical fabric strap that can be tailored to any occasion or wish. 

The Ocean Star Tribute Blue M026.830.11.041.00 celebrates their Ocean Star diver's 75th birthday. With a strong vintage vibe that pays homage to their own 1960s vibe, Mido Ocean Star Tribute Black is tailored for modern and nostalgic tastes while displaying the historically accurate traits that today's watch enthusiasts are looking for. What's more, the caliber of 80 inside the tough diver feels more than enough to justify this Ocean Star for its value proposition.

Mido Ocean Star Tribute Blue M026.830.11.041.00 is an excellent choice for divers or collectors with ocean at heart. Come check on the Gnomon store for the full specification. 

Mido Ocean Star GMT Blue Ref. M026.629.17.051.00

It has been 76 years since the launch of the first Ocean Star watch and today Mido amazes with timely updates such as incorporating the coveted GMT function into this popular collection. Introducing Ocean Star GMT Blue, a handsome new addition that displays two distinct time zones, origin and local time, prominently with the addition of a blue GMT hand. With this GMT dive watch, the ease of operation of this feature allows for more flexibility as you explore the wonders of nature.

Beautiful inside and out, this timepiece flaunts a beautifully decorated Elaboré class automatic movement known as the Mido Caliber 80 (base ETA C07.661), which has an impressive 80 hours of power reserve. The phenomenal movement made by Mido allows this watch's crown to set the main hour hand in one hour increments instead of the GMT hour hand, commonly seen on "pure" GMT watches and highly valued by most watch enthusiasts.

Furthermore, this movement is made with 25 gems and operates at 21,600 BPH (3 Hertz). If you've ever caught a glimpse of the heart of this dive watch, you'll be amazed by the amount of detail that goes into the manufacture of this movement, down to its oscillating weight embellished with Geneva stripes and the Mido logo.

Ocean Star GMT Blue measures 44mm, 13.28mm high and has a lug to lug length of 50mm. Made from 316L stainless steel used exclusively by this Swiss brand, the case exudes a sleek brilliance. This casing material is not only corrosion resistant, but also offers excellent durability and is non-magnetic. Admire the contrast of the satin finish side of the case with the polished top that gives the watch a sporty masculinity look.

Admire the intricate time zone engraving on the back of the case and the unique serial number that distinguishes each watch. In addition to the screwed back case, the Ocean Star GMT Blue is constructed with a screw signed crown that allows 200m water resistance. This dive watch is protected with a flat sapphire crystal having anti-reflective treatment on both sides which not only offers good readability in any lighting condition, but also complements the elegant watch design. Strong and shock resistant, these crystals will maintain excellent transparency over the years.

The dial of this watch is classic matte black featuring applied index with silver metal trim. What characterizes Ocean Star GMT Blue is the repetition of two tones indicating the second time zone. This ingenious design of black and blue flanges sets the daytime hours against a dark blue background and the nighttime clocks on a black background, a seamless reflection of the sky colors.

To allow for increased readability of the dual time displays of this watch, this Swiss watchmaker has differentiated its handsets according to their functionality. This diver exhibits a diamond-cut silver hour and minute hands, a second hand with a blue lacquer tip and a matching blue lacquered GMT 24 hour hand that shows the time in a second time zone by pointing to the circle of the hour (24 hour format) on the two flange. the dial tone.

Filled with a white Super-LumiNova that glows bluish green in the dark, this handset and index watch allow a time readable display in the dark. The oceanic tone of the dial is further complemented by the bezel rotating in the direction of the blue ceramic which allows tracking of elapsed time. In addition, the fluting on this ceramic bezel makes it easier to operate and is very resistant to scratches and wear.

This extraordinary timepiece comes with a smart blue fabric strap with a rolled edge that conforms to the GMT hands and ensures a comfortable wear while enduring the toughest conditions. The strap has flawless white stitching on the lugs and features a creased buckle marked Mido that is polished with a full gloss finish.

Much like how the Europa Point Lighthouse has watched the Strait of Gibraltar since 1841, guiding sailors in the often bumpy waters between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, Ocean Star GMT Blue watches over you and is your perfect ally for any kind of adventure. With a glimpse of two time zones, this astonishing timepiece lives up to its name as the sparkling ocean star, revealing a world of wondrous sailing and amazing nautical discoveries.

Mido Ocean Star GMT Blue Ref. M026.629.17.051.00 is a must-have for watch diver-watch collectors. Check out one now from the Gnomon store!

Mido Ocean Star Captain Black - Rubber Ref. M026.430.17.051.00

"The Technological Distillation In Swiss's Amazing Watch"

The Ocean Star is a marine watch collection brand consisting of the most modern Swiss Made divers in various color variants and strap combinations. Seventy-five years after the launch of its first Ocean Star, MIDO has worked to improve its line of diving watches. After decades of research and development, Ocean Star has become the modern mechanical watch they are today. Durability and toughness both inside and out, known since the 1940s for its continuous water resistance.

To this day, Mido takes on a bold challenge from an echoing piece of his watchmaking prowess in the form of Ocean Star Captain Black on Rubber M026.430.17.051.00 which we will introduce. The design cues closely reflect the MIDO SkyDive Diver and Diver Scuba, while pumping the technology distillation inside, allowing it to explore the depths of the ocean (up to 600m).

The Ocean Star Captain is sized for modern tastes in a casing 42.5 mm in diameter and 11.75 mm in height. The archetype that has characterized the world of diving watches since its success in the 60s for recreational diving is a straightforward and robust design. The Ocean Star Captain furthermore features the iconic straight lugs center-case design with a full satin brush finish with a polished bevel to complete the watch face of the '60s. The finish here is, frankly, almost perfect, lifting the extravagant side of the image.

Let's admit it a little here, we are at Gnomon Watches and we bet many of you really appreciate the incredible vintage re-edition, wait, we mean anything, to be nicely done up in today's Swiss Made luxury standards! Kudos to Mido that Ocean Star Captain does fulfill this level continuously.

The diver-oriented bezel features black and is filled with Super-LumiNova, rotates at 120 clicks sharply counter-clockwise and locks into position. The back case has a lovely surprise in storehouse - decorated with a polished relief of a starfish, a historical symbol of the Starfish.

The pioneer of waterproof cases in the early 30's, Mido got water resistance up to 20 bar (200m) of pressure, a feature that was overworked on any diver's watch, while most of us probably took it to the beach to sunbathe with our kids. , or in the office behind our desk "dives".

Now let's move on to what lies beneath a flat, highly resistant sapphire crystal. It features a stick-style applied index with the same Super-LumiNova paired with a luminous handset that reads and contrasts well. The Mido logo and Ocean Star Diver description are all balanced from top to bottom in relief, which is a nice touch. The matte black background seems to improve the readability of the handset and markers in most environments. The used orange tip looks right here, meanwhile, enhancing the readability for the wearer by means of the brand color. All of these features are the definition and appreciation of the watch fons et origo dive.

Lastly, the integrated waterproof black rubber strap injects a healthy sporty style, giving the Ocean Star 600 an extraordinary watch face. Its light weight, comfort, and built-in water resistance naturally make it a must-have dive watch. The signed buckles have a diver extension that allows one to adjust easily.

Mido doesn't stop at the exterior. Beating the inside is the built-in automatic Mido Caliber 80 - Based on the ETA C07,621, offering a powerful 80 hour power reserve ticking at 21,600 vibrations per hour. The 80 caliber inside the Ocean Star makes it especially valuable as it covers one of the highest quality movements of today for an incredible price.

The Ocean Star Captain Black on Rubber M026.430.17.051.00 celebrates the evolution of their Ocean Star diver. With a strong over-the-top build that is more than it looks like, the Mido Ocean Captain is tailored for modern and adventurous tastes while displaying the historically accurate traits that today's watch enthusiasts are looking for. What's more, the caliber of 80 inside the tough diver feels more than enough to justify this Ocean Star for its value proposition.

Mido Ocean Star Captain Black on Rubber M026.430.17.051.00 is a valuable collection for those who enjoy the beauty of a Swiss watch. Get one now on Gnomon store! 

Mido Ocean Star Diver 600 Blackout Ref. M026.608.37.051.00

The Swatch Group's Mido has been very aggressive lately, releasing many discreet and quite affordable watches - watches like the Multi-function Chronometer and the Commander's Big Date. That's good news for all of us because God knows we need watches that are more affordable to attract more people to this hobby. Mido has just unveiled a new dive watch with several features just in time for the holidays, which will make dive watch enthusiasts happy. Introducing the new Mido Ocean Star Diver 600.

The Mido Ocean Star Diver 600 is the company's first 600m dive watch. Also, while not officially certified, it is made to meet ISO 6425 dive watch standards. If you know anything about dive watches, you know that there really aren't many dive watches that meet ISO 6425 requirements. other dive hands are inferior, but it's nice to know that Mido has designed it with the right standards in mind.

There are two models of the Mido Ocean Star Diver 600: one with a blue dial and one with a blue bezel with a stainless steel case and bracelet, the other with a black dial and one with a black stainless steel PVD case and a black rubber band. Both variants feature a sturdy 43.5mm stainless steel case with a thickness of 14.05mm with a mix of satin finish and mirror paint.

The thick continuous bezel is also satin and mirror polished and features a ceramic bezel insert with large engraved numbers filled with a special kind of luminous material called Super-LumiNova Grade X, which lasts longer than your standard Super-LumiNova. At 9 o'clock, there is a small cut in the case which drains excess water and prevents corrosion of the bezel mechanism. Lastly, at 3 o'clock, you have a large screw knob signed with the Mido logo.

The dial is lacquered and has a clean, fuss-free layout. The applied large hour index is filled with Super-LumiNova, as well as the hour and minute hands, which are diamond cut and satin finish. The arrow-tipped second hand is also filled with Super-LumiNova. The entire dial is very legible and looks like it will be just as legible in low light situations too. Also very few text ways. By 12 o'clock, you have the Mido logo and "auto" text; and at 6 o'clock you have the name "Ocean Star Diver", a depth rating, and the words "Chronometer Si". My only doubt about the dial is the date window at 3 o'clock. Seems a tad too small compared to the breadth of the dial.

It is a COSC certified chronometer and also has a silicone component in motion. The movements inside are of the Mido 80 Si caliber, which is based on the ETA C07,821. This gesture also sees action on other watches in the Swatch Group. It has silicon balance springs, ELINFLEX mainspring, beats at 3Hz, and has a power reserve of 80 hours. The finish is industrial but has blue screws and rotors emblazoned with the Côtes de Genève and the Mido logo. Unfortunately, you can't see the movement because the Ocean Star Diver 600 has a solid back case. If you want to entertain, the back of the case features a polished starfish relief, which is symbolic of the Mido Sea Star collection.

The Mido Ocean Star Diver 600 is a beautiful diver with characteristics that will please dive watch enthusiasts - features such as a ceramic bezel with etched markings, a water resistance rating of 600 m, and a silicon balance springs and long power reserve COSC approved movement. Regardless of the aforementioned date window sizes, I really like the Ocean Star Diver 600's style. In short, the Mido Ocean Star Diver 600 has hassle-free styling and highly capable movement - everything you want from a solid diving watch.

Mido Ocean Star Diver 600 Blackout Ref. M026.608.37.051.00 is available on Gnomon Store. Get yours today!