Mido watch company is a strong contender in affordable luxury. If you’re considering buying one of its designs, read this introductory guide.
Have you heard of the Ocean Star? How about the Multifort or the Baroncelli? These are all popular watches by an international name in Swiss watchmaking: Mido.
You’ll be familiar with Mido if you have a penchant for collecting and learning about timepieces. Maybe you’re at that point where your taste in luxury watch collecting is leading you down bolder routes.
Maybe your wrist lacks something unique and a little “off-the-wall.” A Mido watch could be what you need.
The Le Locle-based company has been around for over 100 years and has some notable achievements. In this article, I’ll outline everything you need to know before buying a Mido watch. But first, a quick look at the brand and what it stands for.
A Brief History of Mido Watch Company
Even from the very start, Mido has been synonymous with technical innovations and intriguing designs. The Swiss brand has been around since 1918 and, within three short years, began advancing in colored enamels.
Some of the company’s earliest designs flourished in the automotive market. Some even took inspiration from radiator grills from Ford and Bugatti cars.
In the 1930s, Mido put itself on the map for its innovative water-resistant cork-screw sealing system, the “Aquadura.”
This decade also gave birth to the Mido Multifort watch, which is anti-magnetic, water-resistant, and shock-resistant, powered by automatic movement.
In 1959, Mido released the Ocean Star, which had a single shell case design for optimum water resistance. Together with the Aquadura crown, it could withstand some of the most extreme external conditions.
A little less than a decade later, Mido broke a record. It produced the smallest assembly line-manufactured ladies’ automatic watch.
In the 1980s, Mido began tapping into the sporting world. Bjorn Borg, symbolizing the relationship between watchmaking and tennis, was welcomed as a brand ambassador.
Towards the end of the 1990s, Mido’s Bodyguard watch, equipped with a security alarm, began garnering attention. The same goes for its Worldtimer watch for keen travelers.
Over the past twenty years, the company has focused on designs inspired by architecture and music. Some examples include timepieces that pay homage to the Great Wall of China and Rome’s iconic Colosseum.
Since 2016, the brand has specialized in COSC-certified movements with silicon balance springs. For its 100th anniversary, Mido launched the Big Date and later became involved with the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series.
Things You Should Know About Mido Watches
Before you rush in and buy a Mido watch, you’ll probably want to get a feel for what the brand offers. First of all, prices.
At the bottom end of the price scale are models like the Commander 1959, a simple time and date model with an automatic movement. These can cost around $500-750. The mid-range models are the Baroncelli and Multifort, which cost around $1300-1500.
At the top end of the scale, Mido watches like the Ocean Star can set you back around $1500-1700.
Mido uses tried-and-tested ETA movements for its timepieces. The COSC also tests and certifies all the brand’s chronometer timepieces. These movements promise superior accuracy and reliability and come with a five-year warranty.
Above all, Mido watches come in many different styles. I’ve chosen a few key designs below so you can get an idea of the selection available.
Mido Watches Ocean Star
The Mido watches Ocean Star collection features chronometer-certified dive watches inspired by the Europa Point Lighthouse. Some standout designs include the Ocean Star 39, with a two-tone wave-effect dial.
The display’s blue southern hemisphere and black northern hemisphere coincide with the bi-color 60-minute dive scale.
Other good examples include the Ocean Star 600 Chronometer. This model features a blue-black gradient dial and 600-meter water resistance for serious divers.
On the other hand, the Ocean Star GMT has a vibrant red and blue 24-hour scale for tracking a second time zone. Eighty hours of power reserve and 200-meter water resistance are other valuable features.
There’s also the technical-looking Ocean Star Decompression Worldtimer, which is a real eye-catcher. Its pastel rainbow-colored decompression scales sit inside a 24-hour scale, while the world cities sit around the edge.
Moreover, Mido equips this watch with a glass box sapphire crystal top to create a vintage-esque feel.
Mido Commander Watch
The Mido Commander watch collection’s models are inspired by the Eiffel Tower. They are distinctively elegant designs with a day-date complication at 3 o’clock or a chronograph.
Baton hour markers and straight hands help retain a minimalist and clean look across these dials. Some key designs from the collection include the Commander Gradient, particularly this reference with a denim-inspired fabric strap.
The model’s transparent dial is a quirky feature that allows you to view the date ring under its surface.
Behind this feature is an automatic movement, which the brand shows through a sapphire crystal glass caseback.
Mido Multifort Watch
You may not know it by looking, but the Sydney Harbour Bridge inspires the Mido Miltifort watch. It’s yet another design that incorporates architectural influences from iconic buildings worldwide.
The Mido Multifort watch’s origins date back to the 1930s. Thanks to its all-terrain design, it has a sporty aesthetic and robust case designs that resist the adverse effects of magnetism and shock.
One of the most distinctive designs from this collection is the Multifort Big TV Date. Its dynamic retro-inspired design features a stripe-effect dial and squared watch face with rounded corners.
Plus, it houses the latest generation movement with a Nivachron balance spring.
Another cool option is the stealthy Mido Multifort Chronometer 1, which has a sleek black PVD-coated case.
The model delivers precision timekeeping via a chronometer-certified movement and provides 80 hours of power reserve. It also features a vertically striped dial design.
Mido Dive Watch
If you want to add a dive watch to your collection, the Ocean Star series is the place to look. It was one of the first water-resistant watches to emerge during the heyday of the dive watch.
As I mentioned, some Mido dive watches feature a chronometer-certified movement to guarantee greater accuracy.
As one of the oldest and most successful models in Mido’s catalog, you know what you’re getting with an Ocean Star watch. The single shell case and cork-screw crown design offer up to 600 meters of water resistance.
Thanks to its 600M rating, the Ocean Star 600 is a build for serious divers. Mido specialists also equip it with a helium escape valve to prevent pressure damage.
Other features, like luminous-coated markers topped with sapphire crystal glass, enhance legibility, even in the most challenging conditions.
Mido Classic Watches
You can browse Mido classic watches via a drop-down box selection on the brand’s website. It reveals a selection of elegant timepieces for all occasions.
Examples include the Commander Big Date with a sizeable double aperture at 6H or the timeless Baroncelli Signature Gent. This dress watch presents the time via a three-dimensional dial effect with opulent stick hour markers and tapering hands.
Complications like the Baroncelli Chronograph Moonphase are more expensive options from the collection. It comes in a steel or rose gold PVD option and a resolutely sporty option with a blue and yellow striped canvas strap.
FAQs
You may have questions, and we have them covered. Here are some of the most common queries regarding Mido watches.
Are Mido Watches Good?
Mido watches are a good option for anyone wanting the reliability of a Swiss movement combined with classic aesthetics.
Is Mido a Good Watch Brand?
Mido is a good watch brand with solid values that promise affordability and quality. Its watches range from around $750 to $1700.
Do Mido Watches Hold Value?
Like many mid-range watch manufacturers, Mido watches don’t hold their value well on the pre-owned market. However, that often means you can pick up a second-hand model for a great price. Simply put, a Mido watch is worth what its buyer is willing to pay.
Are Mido Watches Luxury Watches?
The quality of a Mido watch aligns with luxury standards in many ways. Although not the most expensive, collectors consider Mido watches affordable luxury timepieces.
Wrapping Up
Mido watch company makes well-made, affordable watches, some of which are quirky. The brand draws inspiration from architecture and music when creating many designs. Above all, they promise exceptional value for money.
The catalog is diverse, covering chronometer-certified dive watches to classic dress watches. Therefore, they offer a little something to everyone.
If you own a Mido watch or are considering buying one, we’d love to hear from you. Let us know your favorite design in the comments below!
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