WATCHES & STYLE

MIDO Launches 39mm Ocean Star Dive Watch in Celebration of the Collection’s 80th Anniversary

Special feature by MIDO
30 Aug 2024

Once again, MIDO proves that it's at the forefront of cutting-edge watchmaking.

MIDO is having a moment. Swiss watchmaker Georges Schaeren founded MIDO as early as 1918, with the brand name deriving from the Spanish words “yo mido” which translates to “I measure” – indicating a deep attachment to the measurement of time. Today, the Swatch Group-owned brand has since gone on to establish itself at the forefront of cutting-edge watchmaking with precise movements, high-quality materials, and timeless designs – all while maintaining incredible affordability.

This year, the brand celebrates the 80th anniversary of one of its most popular collections: The Ocean Star collection. To commemorate eight decades of dive watch expertise, MIDO has released a new dive watch that not only proves to be one of its most versatile, but one of the thinnest models in the category. At only 39mm thin and 10.5mm in height, case back and crystal included, Ocean Star 39 is an exceptional timepiece that ticks all the boxes of slim, sporty, and reliable.

Now let’s get down to the good stuff. The screw-down crown and case back of the timepiece ensures excellent water resistance of up to 660 ft. (20 bars/ 200 meters), which is a given spec for a MIDO dive watch. Those privy to watchmaking innovation will know that MIDO has had significant contributions to waterproofing watch cases in the 20th century. In 1930, the brand developed a sealing system that installed a watertight gasket made of cork between the crown and case, which it named Aquadura. It is this Aquadura waterproofing technology that has proved instrumental in defining the brand’s Ocean Star collection.


(Related: Ocean-inspired watches making waves)

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There are altogether four colorways for this new model, each featuring undulating wave patterns reminiscent of ocean’s current on the seabed – blue-black gradient, black-gray gradient, champagne, and black. The texture on the bezel is eye-catching yet it does not disturb the legibility of the dial, which retains substantial contrast with its white lumed plots and large faceted hands – a welcome design feature when you’re diving deep underwater, for sure.

The date window sits at 3 o’clock and as a standard, the Ocean Star 39 is offered on an elegant satin-finished stainless-steel bracelet with polished accents on the mid-links. The watch’s double folding clasp is also fitted with a practical extension of up to 15mm should divers need to wear their watches over a diving suit. Its sportier, full black variant features a black rubber strap and orange indexes and hands, which is a nice nod to MIDO’s brand colors. It also comes with a case coated in black PVD to match.

At the heart of the Ocean Star 39 beats a latest generation Swiss movement, the Caliber 72, which is one of the reasons why MIDO can achieve its svelte 39mm figure. The timepiece is equipped with an antimagnetic Nivachron balance spring, giving it a remarkable power reserve of up to 72 hours, or three full days, which is an unprecedented movement for the brand.

With the Ocean Star 39 retailing at SGD 1,560 for its stainless-steel variants and SGD 1,660 for the all-black sportier iteration, MIDO has once again proven that practical, timeless, and high-quality watches do not need to cost an arm and a leg. And after a comprehensive look at the Ocean Star 39, there is no doubt why MIDO has consistently withstood the test of time in the world of horology.


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