We first got to do a hands-on review with the Mido Ocean Star diver last year (which you can see here). I came away from that hands-on experience impressed, but Mido knew there was another way to up the game, and they have my number. By that, I mean they put my favorite complication into the new Mido Ocean Star GMT.
The Mido Ocean Star GMT is very much a familiar watch, at least if you’ve been paying attention to the Mido Ocean Star lineup. And why not? If you’ve got a solidly-designed diver, why not use it as a template to mix things up? Here, you’ve still got the Mido Caliber 80 automatic movement (80-hour power reserve is the type of overkill we like), here though with the requisite gears added into the train to enable that 24-hour hand to swing around the dial.
Each of the colorways of the Mido Ocean Star GMT have a slightly different scheme on the black dial, which you can see by comparing the blue one (up top) to the stainless bracelet version just above (and then the two-tone down below). I like that they gave this some attention, so it’s not just a difference in the way it attaches to your wrist, you’ve actually got some choice in what color you’re getting (well, aside from that deep black dial). On the blue version, the GMT and seconds hand are more of a purple; on this steel, it’s in orange, and then the two-tone has things in rose gold.
As we were being presented the various iterations (via a Zoom calls, as all things are these days) and reviewing these photos afterwards, I was struck by how much I actually like this two-tone version of the Mido Ocean Star GMT. The one on the blue textile strap, that’s almost a “gimme” in terms of my preferences. However, I’ve been coming around more to the two-tone look, and here the rose gold softens the harshness that I associate with yellow gold. This also gives things a much more formal look and feel to the watch.
Regardless of which of the three versions you choose, the caseback of the Mido Ocean Star GMT will give you a handy chart of various world cities and where they are in relation to GMT zero. IE, the sort of things that can really complicate a dial of a world timer, but a handy reference – right on your wrist – when you’re not near a computer or phone to look up the times.
The Mido Ocean Star GMT was just released earlier this month, and as mentioned, comes in three versions. The one on the blue textile strap and with blue and purple on the dial goes for $1,190. If you want to go up to the bracelet option, it’s a reasonable bump to $1,250, while the two-tone steel and rose gold comes in at $1,400. While you may not be a diver, there’s no disputing the robustness and timelessness of a dive watch. Adding in the GMT complication ups the utility, and is presented here in a few different looks to fit your own tastes. Myself, I am a fan, and will definitely be looking into getting a review loaner in for a hands-on review. midowatches.com
Watch Overview
- Brand & Model:?Mido Ocean Star GMT
- Price:?$1,190 (textile) / $1,250 (bracelet) / $1,400 (two-tone)
- Who we think it might be for:?You want “one watch” to work for the office (if we ever go back to one), the weekends, or even to the occasional dressed-up setting, all while tracking a second timezone with the greatest of ease
- Would I buy one for myself based on what I?ve seen??If I ignored what I already had, yes. The blue version on textile is quite nice, but that two-tone is looking very, very sharp as well.
- What spoke to me the most about this watch:?Clean diver design with a GMT complication added? If you’re not going for a thin piece, this is the path to go!
Tech Specs from Mido
- Movement: Automatic Mido Caliber 80 (ETA C07.661 base), 11???, ?25.60?mm, height: 5.77?mm, 25?jewels, 21,600?vph, finely decorated Elabor?-grade movement, oscillating weight decorated with Geneva stripes and the Mido logo. Functions: HMSD + GMT 24H. Adjusted on 3 different positions for high accuracy. Up to 80 hours of power reserve.
- Case: Satin-finished and polished stainless steel, ?44?mm, 2 pieces, unidirectional rotating bezel in blue-coloured ceramic, sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective treatment on both sides, finely decorated Elabor?-grade movement, case back engraved with time zones, engraved serial number, screwed case back and crown, water-resistant up to a pressure of 20?bar (200?m / 660?ft).
- Strap: Blue fabric with rolled edges and white stitching at the lugs, pin buckle in satin-finished and polished stainless steel.
- Dial?: Velvety black, individually applied indexes with white Super-LumiNova?, date at 3?o?clock. Second time zone indicated on the black and blue flange.
- Hands: Diamond-cut hour and minute hands with central groove and white Super-LumiNova?, diamond-cut sweep-seconds hand with blue varnished tip and white Super-LumiNova?, and blue varnished second-time-zone hand with white Super-LumiNova?.
