Ocean Star Captain 2-Tone Ref. M026.430.22.051.00

"A DISTILLATION OF TECHNOLOGY INSIDE AN EXTRAORDINARY SWISS DIVING WATCH"

The Ocean Star is the brand's nautical dive watch collection that consists of the most modern Swiss Made divers in different color variants and strap combos. Seventy-five years after the unveiling of its very first Ocean Star, MIDO has sought to improve its dive watch line. After decades of research and development, the Ocean Star has become their modern mechanical dive watch it is today. Durability and robustness both inside out, which they are known since the 1940s for its unfailing water-resistance.

Until today, Mido took up the bold challenge of a resonating part of its watchmaking prowess in the form of the Ocean Star Captain Two-Tone M026.430.22.051.00 that we are about to introduce. The design cues strongly reflect on its MIDO SkyDive Diver and Diver Scuba, while pumping a distillation of glamourous two-tone charm of the 80s that was recently brought back.

Mido Ocean Star Captain 2-Tone Ref. M026.430.22.051.00

The Ocean Star Captain sized for modern tastes at a 42.5mm diameter case with a height of 11.75mm. The straightforward and robust design, which was archetypal that stamped the world of dive watches since its popularity of recreational diving in the 60s. The Ocean Star Captain furthers bears their iconic straight lugs mid-case design with full satin-brushed polishing with polished bevels to enhance the tool-watch of the 60s look. The finishings done here, to be honest, is almost impeccable, elevating luxurious sides out from its shadow.

Let us confess a little bit here, we at Gnomon Watches and we believe a lot of you do appreciate an excellent vintage re-issue, wait, we meant any, to be well finished in today's Swiss Made luxury standard! Kudos to Mido that the Ocean Star Captain does meet this level through and through.

Tribute to its 60s Diver Scuba

The PVD rose gold coated diver-oriented bezel features a black tone with rose gold colored markings, and the pip at 12 o’clock be filled with Super-LumiNova, rotating at 120 clicks crisply in an anti-clockwise direction and locks into its position. The case back has a beautiful surprise in store- decorated with a polished starfish in relief, the historical symbol of the Ocean Star.

The pioneer of the water-tight case in the early 30s, Mido, gets the water-resistance up to a pressure of 20 bars (200m), an over-built feature of any diver's watch. At the same time, most of us might most probably bring it to the beach for some sun-tanning with our children, or at the office behind our desk "diving" away.

Caliber 80 based on the ETA C07.621

Now let's move on to what's underneath the ultra-resistant flat sapphire crystal. It features baton-style applied indexes gilded in rose gold-tone as well, with the same Super-LumiNova paired with a legible, well-contrasted luminous handset. The Mido logo and the Ocean Star Diver description are all balanced from the top down in relief, which is a nice touch. The matte black background seemingly enhanced the legibility of the rose-y handset and markers in most environments. A second-hand orange tip is spot-on here while it, too, improves readability for the wearer with the brand’s colorway. All these traits are the definition and tribute to dive watch fons et origo.

Finally, the integrated two-tone bracelet injects a healthy dose of sporty style, giving the Ocean Star 600 the superb tool watch-look. It's robustly built with comfort and innate water-resistance naturally lends it to a must-have for dive watches. The signed clasp features a diver extension that allows one to adjust with ease.

SuperLuminova for Superb Glow In Dark

Mido did not stop on the exterior. Beating inside is the in-house automatic Mido Calibre 80 – Based on the ETA C07.621, boasting a robust 80-hour power reserve that beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour. The caliber 80 inside the Ocean Star makes it so value-driven as it hoods one of the highest-quality movements today at an exceptional price point.

The Ocean Star Captain Two-Tone M026.430.22.051.00 celebrates the evolution of their Ocean Star diver. With it's strong over-the-top built that one is more than meets the eye, Mido Ocean Captain is sized for both modern and adventurous tastes while featuring historically accurate traits and two-tone charm that watch enthusiasts seek today. What's more, the caliber 80 inside the robust diver feels more than enough to justify this Ocean Star for its value proposition.