Revisiting Something Special

From Mido -

Courtesy of Mido

I've dipped my toe in the shallow end on this one before, but as Watch Town is clearly in the doldrums, it has been a time for reflection.

Tempus Fugit "Lifers" will note that my first introduction to watches (albeit on my father's wrist) was a Mido Ocean Star (circa 1968) -

My relationship with my father was not unlike my relationship with the modern Mido - somewhat challenging ; )

But what time and experience have taught me is that nothing (by its very nature) is forever. Things evolve, expand and contract. If not inanimate things, certainly our perceptions of them.

For a while there, Mido was making stuff that was pretty boring, more than a wee bit repetitive, and none-too inspiring. Over the past few years they seem to have regained some of their desire to design and make watches. I am sorry if that sounds harsh, but as a watch fan and a Mido fan in particular, it truly felt as if they were simply going through the motions. 

Courtesy of Mido

The main joy currently is to be found in their Ocean Star Tribute collection.  And this one in particular. Yes, it is a blue dive watch. But in fairness, a not so obvious (navy) blue. It is bright, and it is fun. 

Courtesy of Mido

The case is of stainless steel and measures 40.5 mm in diameter. The movement is listed as the Automatic Mido Caliber 80 (base ETA C07.621). It is self-winding (automatic) and boasts up to 80 hours of power reserve.

Swatch group, in its misguided wisdom opted to pull up stakes in the US a few years back and are "Zooming it in" these days when it comes to managing the US market. You can buy this watch in the US at Macy's, Bloomingdales and a certain watch blog turned colossus. I personally will wait for my next European sojourn.

So Mido it seems have awoken from their own doldrums. Let's hope that they can keep it up.

Enjoy your watches!

The Ocean Star Tribute (In Green)

From Mido -

Courtesy of Mido

Came across this little buzzer while cruising the Mido website this morning. This is (I am assuming) the latest iteration of Mido's Ocean Star Tribute.

Courtesy of Mido

According to Mido, the case measures 40.5 mm in diameter. The lug width is an aggravating 21 mm. The movement is listed as being an Automatic Mido Caliber 80 (base ETA C07.621).

All yours for CHF870.00

Reaching out to the folks formerly responsible for North America in the not-so-distant past, myself and a colleague from the Fourth Estate were informed that Mido no longer had offices in North America. So I am not 100% sure if the retailers listed for the US are "still in action", but sometimes the search is half the fun!

Let's hope this is one of those times ; )

The Ocean Star Tribute

This is one of the latest from Mido, and it is something special!

Courtesy of Mido

This is the Ocean Star Tribute.  Per Mido, this is apparently the 75th anniversary of the Ocean Star. Apparently, the folks actually making money off of advertising at some of the other outlets, etc. were too busy eating their Cheerios or simply overslept this Monday AM.  Well not to worry Mido, there's never a charge at Tempus Fugit ; )

Courtesy of Mido

You ever completely go off of something, then find yourself captivated by it again?  Well for me, this is indeed one of those times.  Mido is a family affliction/passion, and I have spent the past four years in a "love-hate" tug of war with my feelings about the brand as a whole.  But credit where credit is due, this is a truly beguiling watch that hits me on a truly visceral level.

Courtesy of Mido

The blue of the dial is a truly welcome departure from the usual dark navy or black, and the orange second hand really ties together the look and feel.  It would have been safe (and typical) to simply go black or navy, but Mido took a chance on this one, and it's a winner.  Having said that, if black is your jam?

Courtesy of Mido

The Ocean Star Tribute is also available in a black dial/bezel version.  

In Switzerland it the suggested retail price is CHF 990 with the VAT.  Here Stateside, bump it up a bit as the MSRP is $1,115.  The Mido website makes mention that this includes VAT which is a bit curious as, well, we don't have that in the US.  We do, however, have state sales tax.  And this means you will be paying above the $1,115 once everything is said and done, presuming you are paying full retail.

Here are the pertinents, straight from the source -

Case:

• 
  

  Material:

   

  Stainless steel
• 
  

  Diameter:

   

  40.50 mm
• 
  

  Between lugs:

   

  21.00 mm
• 
  

  Water-resistance:

   

  20 bar (200 m / 660 ft) with screwed crown
• 
  

  Crystal:

   

  Sapphire crystal
• 
  

  Case height:

   

  13.43 mm

Movement

• 
  

  Movement type:

   

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

  • Date

Dial

• 
  

  Dial colour:

   

  Blue
• 
  

  Hour Markers:

   

  Applied indexes

Bracelet

• Stainless steel bracelet and blue fabric strap (interchangeable)