Mido debuted a new worldtimer within its Ocean Star collection this month.
Mido is an entry-level watch brand that gets lost within the Swatch Group’s vast array of companies — particularly Tissot, Hamilton, and Certina — that retail around the same price points.
If you asked ten people the best brand among Mido, Tissot, Hamilton, and Certina, you’d probably get all different answers. The same could probably be said about the Richemont Group’s overlapping mid to upper-tier watch labels.
Generally speaking, Swiss companies are compelled to compete with themselves. It seems tied to a culture focused on overabundance more than scarcity, despite the qualitative nature of Swiss watches, or the fact that the most successful brands don’t compete with themselves, and use restraint to create more appeal.
The Ocean Star Worldtimer is essentially Mido’s Ocean Star Tribute dive watch, with the same 40.5 mm x 13 mm 316L, 200-meter water-resistant, stainless steel case and the same 25-jewel, 3Hz, ETA automatic movement (ETA C07.621, Powermatic 80). The difference is that this watch is fitted with a rotating worldtimer bezel (instead of a dive bezel) that displays key cities around the world, and is presented with a 1970s vintage-style dial (versus a modern dial).
Additionally, the watch comes with a cool (removable) Bund strap, which has military origins, that, aptly, gained popularity in the 1970s.
Considering the well-proportioned case, reliable ETA movement with a long power reserve, and the vintage look that makes you have to double-take and decide if this is a modern watch or an actual vintage timepiece — yes, the 2025 Ocean Star Worldtimer gets my vote for the most compelling Mido ever.
Retail is $1,070. Learn more at Mido.
Photos by Mido.
