Over the last few years, we’ve written about a number of different Mido models. This is a brand that has been quietly putting together some very tight releases that somehow fly under the radar of most collectors. As of late, the inclusion of their Caliber 80 movement (with it’s 80-hour power reserve) has really elevated the level of what they’re offering. The latest to grace the review desk is the Mido Ocean Star GMT.
Mido Ocean Star GMT – Updates
In general, I’ve been quite familiar with the Mido Ocean Star for awhile now, as I’ve had their day/date version on my wrist quite a bit over the last year or so (you’ll see it pop in a few of the photos in this article as well). These are very much the same watch, with a few differences. The major change is because of the movement. In the Mido Ocean Star GMT, you of course have a GMT complication (and lose the day display); you still retain the 80-hour power reserve. For connoisseurs of GMT complications, it’s worth noting that this is a “true” GMT.
By that, we mean that it is the hour hand on the movement that you set independently, while the GMT hand remains tied to the movement of the minute hand. Why is this of note? For a traveller, it’s the best choice. When you land a few time zones away, you adjust the hour hand and go about your day, with the second time zone remaining untouched. Easy peasy. Sure, if the watch winds down you don’t have the quick-set date anymore (you do that by spinning the hour hand around to advance the date), but that’s a minor quibble. As we noted in a recent Hourtime episode, this particular implementation is rarer than you might expect. If you don’t travel frequently, perhaps not a big deal, but still something to keep an eye out for.
The other major change for the Mido Ocean Star GMT (as compared to the non-GMT version) is all in the looks department. Some changes are obvious, such as the GMT hand and then the 24-hour scale printed on the chapter ring. This means that you can still use the diving bezel as a timer, should you choose. That’s where the other change comes in. Here, the the bezel is a ceramic insert, rather than a steel insert. This just elevates the watch, and makes it feel a bit more upscale.
Sure, the case is slightly larger to accommodate the movement (1.5mm thicker as well as 1.5mm larger in diameter), but I found that they wore very much the same, in day-to-day. Even in the photos, you’d be hard-pressed to notice the difference. Though, if you’re sensitive on the proportions on your wrist, you’ll probably want to check them out side-by-side at your local AD to figure out which fits you best.
Strap
Our review loaner of the Mido Ocean Star GMT came on their textile strap, color-coordinated to the blue accents that show on the chapter ring and bezel. I like the infusion of blue here, as it mixes things up without it getting too crazy. The shame here is that, if you want the bracelet option (which we always recommend going for), it’s only an option for the black dial for some reason, not the blue. Then again, perhaps the local AD could help sort that out.
Mido Ocean Star GMT – Price
I’ve long been a fan of a GMT complication – though I don’t travel as much these days – and don’t see myself moving away from liking it. If I were deciding between the Mido Ocean Star GMT and it’s day-date brother, I would have a very tough decision to make. If you’re looking to save a few dollars, the non-GMT is the clear winner. That said, at $1,190 the Mido Ocean Star GMT is still in the realm of affordability, verging into that realm of entry-level luxury. A great watch, in our estimation, if your career has taken you to the point where you’re starting to travel across the country again, and need something that will keep up with you. You can check it out, and it’s variants, over at midowatches.com.
Tech Specs from Mido
- General
- Modele No.: M026.629.17.051.00
- Collection: Ocean Star
- Gender: Gent
- Warranty: 2 Years of Warranty
- Water resistance: 20 bar (200 m / 660 ft) with screwed crown
- Weight (g): 125
- Case and crystal
- Case shape: Round
- Case length (mm): 44.00
- Width (mm): 44.00
- Thickness (mm): 13.3
- Lugs width (mm): 22.00
- Case Material: Stainless steel and ceramic bezel
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal with double sided anti-reflection treatment
- Case options: Screw-down crown
- Dial
- Dial color: black
- Indexes: applied indexes
- Movement
- Caliber: 11.5
- Caliber Diameter (mm): 26.00
- Jewels: 25
- Functions: Date, GMT
- Power reserve: Power reserve up to 80 hours
- Movement: Mido Automatic
- Caliber: Automatic Mido Caliber 80 (base ETA C07.661)
- Strap
- Strap/Chain reference: M604017348
- Strap details: Fabric
- Strap Front: Embossed calf leather
- Strap Back: Synthetic
- Strap color: Blue
- Buckle: Pin buckle
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