Just When I Thought I'd Seen It All From Mido...

So I am, more often than I care to admit, conflicted by my watch collection. I don't own anything to rival many of my colleagues in the Fourth and Fifth Estate, and I take some personal pride in that. The quality of a watch, and therefore one's watch collection, shouldn't be solely dictated on the retail price tag.

I don't go full "shock value" in terms of aesthetics, but I get bored pretty quickly by the "codes" insisted upon by many. How many black and blue dialed diver and chronographs can one person own? Don't answer that one ; )

One particular avenue that I keep going back and forth on is the Mido Commander. Most specifically the sub grouping referred to as the Mido Commander 1959. I finally bought a brand new one in Zurich back in 2021. I have worn it semi-sparingly, and keep toying with the idea of buying another. As I was making my semi-annual perusal of the collection on Mido's website, I came across this -

Courtesy of Mido

Mido describes the dial this way:
Printed "Pixel" pattern garnished in Super-LumiNova®

And I have to say, gentle reader, I am now officially a little obsessed. The Commander, for many, is far from an obvious choice. That is part of its attraction for me. Pretty much all of the Commander 1959 family is static - stainless or gold PVD with one wild-card in (I believe) black PVD. And that's okay. But just as Ralph Lauren shook up fashion with pairing seemingly unlikely themes such as formal and western, this Mido Commander has taken a classic (and sometimes dated feeling) design and pumped some much needed some mojo into it.

Courtesy of Mido

Now I fully get that this might not be everyone's jam, and that's okay (meaning there will hopefully be one available after I conduct negotiations with my piggy bank). In the end, unless we are talking about watches purchased to stick in a safe never to be seen until an estate sale once the owner has slipped off their mortal coil, a watch should solely speak to the wearer. We spend far too much of our lives trying to please and impress others, when we might be happier if we also considered (at least in terms of what we wear on our wrists) what pleases us.

So, if you are an unwitting member of the Henki Tribe and find yourself also pulled to this version of Mido's Commander 1959, here are some pertinents -

The case is of stainless steel, and I believe still utilizing the monocoque design and construction, less the much vaunted (and missed) Aquadura cork seal for the crown. It measures 37 mm in diameter. The bracelet is Milanese mesh. The movement is listed by Mido as Mido Automatic ETA. No day or date for this version of the Commander 1959 which I presume is owning to limitations of the dial's materials.

Priced fairly at $740.00

Mido fans here in the lower 48 are aware of the challenges of finding a Mido retailer, let alone one with this unique piece, but it might be worth the search!

Fathers, Sons, And All That Comes With It

If there were a Facebook section for father-son relationships, my status would read:

"It's Complicated..."

I made my debut in Zanesville, Ohio back in the summer of 1968. The day before I dropped, my grandfather presented my anxious soon-to-be father with this -

I had it for a good while, and then I passed it on to my niece who now has a son of her own.

While I don't regret passing it on, I would be less than forthright if I didn't admit to a pang of loss. And in truth, not for the object itself, but rather what that Mido represented.  When I think about my relationship with my father, it is in many ways a play in three acts. The first act would be happiness, growing up in a small town. The second act would struggle as we tried (often unsuccessfully) to maintain a positive relationship after he remarried. The third would be acceptance, as we grew further apart in terms of geographic distance, but reconnected now and again and tried to focus on the positive memories that we shared. 

In truth, this type of evolving relationship is not unique, we all go through it in our own way with our families and relationships. And to some extent, I always connected that first, "happy" period with his/then my/now my niece's Mido. I tried to recapture the feeling with other vintage Midos, but it was really never the same. It almost felt as if I was trying to channel my memories through someone else's horological talisman.

I recently found myself face to face with a relative of my father's Mido, and decided it was finally time to buy one for myself. I waffled back and forth for a minute, and finally made my move.

Now to be completely clear:

No. This new Mido did not make me more handsome, did not make me any smarter, food does not magically taste better, and I am not suddenly capable of tremendous feats of strength or daring-do.

But there is something that this new Mido did do, almost instantaneously - it hit me with a visceral sucker punch that I really wasn't expecting. I felt (and feel) a strange familiar calmness that takes me back to 1977 in that small Ohio town. My sisters and I are under the giant oak tree in the Pierce's side yard, we're playing jailbreak, and Dean Mason is "it", and he is the fastest runner any of us have ever seen so we have to be quick, sneaky, or simply cheat if we're not going to get tagged out ; ). And it finally gets so dark that we have to go inside, and my father is there in the living room, watching another hopelessly cursed Cleveland Indians team end the season in the same morass and ineptitude that have come to be a hallmark for the big city to the north. He comes up to my room to say goodnight. We talk about what we did that day - which really means that I tell him about my day, the ups and downs. And he smiles, gives me a hug and says "don't worry, things will look a lot brighter in the morning!" And with that he turns out the light in my room and heads to bed.

I thought it might be appropriate to wrap this up with a quote from that other great commentator on watches, the poet philosopher - Master Po from TV's Kung Fu:

Shamelessly borrowed from the worldwide infoweb

Caine: Is it good to seek the past, Master Po? Does it not rob the present?

Master Po: If a man dwells on the past, then he robs the present. But if a man ignores the past, he may rob the future. The seeds of our destiny are nurtured by the roots of our past.

Enjoy your watches - and give your dad a call!

Mido On Monday - Let's Hop In The WABAC Machine!

With the Mido Commander 1959 in PVD -

Courtesy of Mido

Nearly 52 years ago on July 9th, 1968, my grandfather gave my father a Mido -

Then I made my debut the next day. So it is safe to say that I have a bit of an affinity.  

And in a continuing search to find the one that would scratch my itch of longing for the past, for certainty, for a time now long gone by, this one comes pretty close to ticking all of the boxes.

Courtesy of Mido

As I've mentioned before, the Commanders that command my attention are the monocoque (one piece), integrated Milanese bracelet, and the original Mido legend (script) on the dial.
Should you be inclined like me to plump for one of those -

CASE

• Material:

   

  Stainless steel with yellow gold PVD coating
• Diameter:

   

  37.00 mm
• Between lugs:

   

  20.00 mm
• Water-resistance:

   

  5 bar (50 m / 165 ft)
• Crystal:

   

  Hesalit crystal
• Case height:

   

  10.45 mm

MOVEMENT

• Movement type:

   

  Automatic
• Automatic Mido Caliber (base ETA C07.621 / 2836-2)

  • Date

DIAL

• Dial colour:

   

  Silver
• Hour Markers:

   

  Applied indexes

BRACELET

• Milanese mesh in stainless steel with yellow gold PVD coating

Mido On Monday - Commander Shade Gold PVD

According to pretty much every other watch media outlet, Oris has a new watch. So I thought I'd go a different direction.

Time for true confessions.  Although I have obsessed over the Mido Commander, I have never owned one.  Ironic, because in truth they are not all that expensive, relatively speaking anyway.  

Courtesy of Mido

Just for whatever reason, it's never worked out.  And not every one of the Commander turns my crank.  For me, it has to have the original script logo and legend "Commander" on the dial.

Courtesy of Mido

It also has to have a solid case back.  A display back is absolutely contrary, dare I say - anathema to the whole Commander vibe.

Courtes of Mido

Now I realize the Mido Commander is not everyone's baby, and I get that.  But it still speaks to me.

Here are the pertinents -

CASE

• Material:

   

  Stainless steel with rose gold PVD coating
• Diameter:

   

  37.00 mm
• Between lugs:

   

  20.00 mm
• Water-resistance:

   

  5 bar (50 m / 165 ft)
• Crystal:

   

  Acrylic glass
• Case height:

   

  10.45 mm

MOVEMENT

• Movement type:

   

  Automatic
• Automatic ETA 2836-2

  • Date

DIAL

• Dial colour:

   

  Silver
• Hour Markers:

   

  Applied indexes

BRACELET

• Milanese mesh in stainless steel with rose gold PVD coating

Mido on Monday - Commander Shade

Courtesy of Mido

This is one that I have gone back and forth on.  It is a pretty large departure for the "traditional" Commander.  In this iteration, the big change is a  black PVD stainless steel case and bracelet.  

I like the fact that for this version, Mido reverted back to a solid (i.e. non-display) case back.  

Add caption

And in all honest?  I personally feel that is a better choice.  The Commander was designed and "built" on the notion that it was solid, durable, water and dust and other "cooties" were not going to get into it.  It would (and did) run pretty much forever.  

While it might not be for everyone, I personally dig it.

Here are the pertinents for those of you so 
inclined -

CASE:

• Material:

   

  Stainless steel with black PVD coating
• Diameter:

   

  37.00 mm
• Between lugs:

   

  20.00 mm
• Water-resistance:

   

  5 bar (50 m / 165 ft)
• Crystal:

   

  Acrylic glass
• Case height:

   

  10.45 mm

MOVEMENT:

• Movement type:

   

  Automatic
• Automatic Mido Caliber 80 (base ETA C07.621)

  • Date

DIAL:

• Dial colour:

   

  Blue
• Hour Markers:

   

  Applied indexes

BRACELET:

• Milanese mesh in stainless steel with black PVD coating
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  And once again - competitively priced at $810 US
  
  
  
  

What I'd Buy Myself - A Mido On Monday Mash-Up

While the new Mido Oceanstar (particularly the blue dial version) is quite nice, I would most likely choose this Mido for myself -

Courtesy of Mido

Regular readers will recognize my subtle obsession. The classic Mido Commander. This particular model is referred to by the folks at Mido as the Commander 1959. Hours, minutes, seconds, day and date. COSC, integrated bracelet. In short, the shit that killed Elvis.

For those of you out there who are also obsessed, here are the pertinents -

CASE

Material:
Stainless steel
Diameter:
37.00 mm 

Between lugs:
20.00 mm
Water-resistance:
5 bar (50 m / 165 ft)
Crystal:
Hesalite crystal
Case height:
10.45 mm

MOVEMENT

Movement type:
Automatic 

Automatic ETA 2836-2 COSC
Chronometer COSC
Date

DIAL

Dial colour:
Silver
Hour Markers:
Applied indexes

BRACELET

Milanese mesh bracelet in stainless steel

MIDO ON MONDAY - The Commander, The Watch Of The Future

While MIDO has several watch families, one of the most deceptively innovative is the Commander.

Courtesy of Mido

Now at first blush, the Commander looks like a pretty basic watch.  There are a few design touches that are definitely "of a time".  Chief among these being the Milanese bracelet that seemingly disappears into the case itself.

Courtesy of Mido

It is quite a clever design, born years ago, but still quite effective.  

But the real genius of the Commander is, in fact, pretty basic.  The case.  The case is a monocoque construction.  Simply put?  To service the watch, you go through the front, because without the aid of a diamond tipped can opener, you are not going through the back ; )

Another quirky bit of MIDO esoterica was their use of what was known as the "Aquadura" system.

Courtesy of Mido

Essentially, a cork sealing system.  Now it's important to understand that this was not unique to the Commander, but that little extra "what's it" made the Commander perhaps one of the most impregnable, durable and dependable mechanical watches of its time.  Now granted, a lot of watch makers couldn't get their heads around the notion that you didn't go in through the back, and my father's MIDO bore the scars of such uninformed work.  But in so many ways, this was THE ULTIMATE watch.  Durable, good looking, and reliable.

I have a few feelers out to lay hands to some vintage versions, and am reaching out to MIDO to see if a review of the modern version might be possible, so stay tuned.

July 9

Another bit of Henki lore.  While the automatic Rado was my first automatic watch purchase, my first automatic watch was the Mido that my father was given the day before I was born - July 9th.  As we are on the same day, I had a quick browse through the current collection, and if I were picking?  I'd pick this one -

Courtesy of Mido

This is the Mido Commander 1959, Chronometer Version.  As mentioned before, I was a lifelong fan but a series of frustrating exchanges with the head of their North American offices made a lifelong passion fade into a disappointing memory.

But as tomorrow is my day, and a day I usually look back on these things, if I were looking to reignite that Mido passion, this would be the one I'd pick.

Here are the pertinents, per Mido -

CASE
Material:
Stainless steel
Diameter:
37.00 mm
Between lugs:
5.90 mm
Water-resistance:
5 bar (50 m / 165 ft)
Crystal:
Hesalit crystal
Case height:
10.45 mm

MOVEMENT
Movement type:
Automatic
Automatic ETA 2836-2 COSC
Chronometer COSC
Date

DIAL
Dial colour:
Silver
Hour Markers:
Applied indexes

BRACELET
Milanese mesh in stainless steel

The Commander Watch

From Omega -

Courtesy of Omega

If I am being completely honest, I have not given the rat's proverbial derrière about blatantly co-branded Omega watches with the 007 iconography blatantly licensed.  I am a bit of a purist and the extra branding is a bit more than I am typically interested in.

Having said that, this new release from Omega is a very pleasant departure.  

Available in stainless steel (above) and a yellow gold model (below).

Courtesy of Omega

And a fairly clever bit of packaging -

Courtesy of Omega

The case measures 41 mm in diameter and is of stainless steel.  Unidirectional rotating bezel, and helium release valve at 10 o'clock.  The steel model is "limited" to a mere 7,007 pieces...

Here are the pertinents for the steel model, straight from Biel/Bienne-


SEAMASTER
DIVER 300 M CO-AXIAL 41 MM

MOVEMENT
Calibre: Omega 2507
The calibre 2507 is a self-winding chronometer
with a Co-Axial escapement and rhodium-plated
finish. In design, the rotor has been given a James
Bond inspired aesthetic.
Power reserve: 48 hours
 
CRYSTAL
Domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with
anti-reflective treatment on both sides

WATCH CASE & DIAL
Case: Steel
Case Diameter: 41 mm
Dial colour: White
WATER RESISTANCE
30 bar (300 metres / 1000 feet)
 
FEATURES
Chronometer
Date
Helium escape valve
Limited edition
Liquidmetal®
Screw-in crown
Transparent case back
Unidirectional rotating bezel

You Get To Pick 1 - Mido

Now, Mido represents one of those conflicts that we all face in life.  Very often we cling onto the past despite the reality of the present.  And that is the conflict I feel about the Mido Commander -

Courtesy of Mido

Sort of like that abusive relationship that you keep going back to.  I like the Commander, I like some of the people in Switzerland, and if they ever decide to actually engage with all outlets rather than a "White House Gaggle" approach to who gets to do a review, etc..., I might even like their North American office again. 

But for now we'll just focus on happy memories.  The Commander is an iconic watch, and represents what was great about Mido.

37 mm of stainless steel with a timeless (in my opinion, at least) design that has stood the test of time.

Anyway, the Commander would be 1 ; )

The Commander Chronometer Limited Edition

From Mido -

Courtesy of Mido

Sort of exciting news from Mido, a COSC certified chronometer chronograph!

Courtesy of Mido

And this one is rather good looking with the "panda" dial and the orange accents on the indices and hands.  All in all, a nicely presented limited edition of 999 pieces.

Here are the pertinents, straight from Mido -

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Movement       

Automatic chronograph ETA Valjoux 7750 COSC-certified chronometer, 13¼’’’, Ø30.00 mm, height: 7.90 mm, 25 jewels,

28,800 vph, ANACHRON balance-spring, NIVAFLEX NM mainspring. Finely decorated chronometer movement with blued

screws, oscillating weight decorated with Geneva Stripes and Mido logo. Adjusted on 5 different positions for high

accuracy. Power reserve of 48 hours minimum.

Functions        

HMS + Chrono + Day + Date                    

Time: hour and minute hands, small seconds at 9 o’clock

Chrono: 60-second chronograph in the centre, 30-minute counter at 12 o’clock and 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock

Day and date at 3 o’clock

Case              

Satin-finished 316L stainless steel, polished bezel, Ø42.50 mm, 3 pieces, faceted and domed sapphire crystal, 

transparent case back revealing the finely decorated chronometer movement, Limited Edition XXX / 999 and serial 

number engraved on the case back, water-resistant up to a pressure of 5 bars (50 m / 165 ft).

                    

Bracelet          

Bracelet and folding clasp in satin-finished 316L stainless steel.

Dial                

Ivory, polished and lacquered, two snailed anthracite counters, applied polished indexes with orange Super-LumiNova®,

day and date at 3 o'clock.

Hands             

Flat diamond cut, hour and minute hands with white Super-LumiNova® for easy readability at night, varnished orange 60

second chronograph hand.