MIDO Commander Gradient Catrines

Swiss watch manufacturer Mido, established in 1918 by Georges Schaeren, has built its reputation on a foundation of producing robust, functional, and technologically forward timepieces. The brand's name itself, derived from the Spanish phrase "Yo mido" meaning "I measure," points to a core identity centered on the precise measurement of time. For over a century, the company has operated from the Swiss Jura mountains, a region synonymous with watchmaking, navigating the industry by adhering to a philosophy that balances aesthetic considerations with mechanical innovation. This approach has allowed Mido to introduce numerous advancements while maintaining a portfolio of designs that remain relevant across decades. The brand has consistently focused on creating high-quality automatic watches that are accessible, integrating features often found in higher price brackets into their standard offerings.



A cornerstone of the Mido catalog is the Commander collection, which has been in continuous production since its introduction in 1959. This longevity is a testament to its foundational design, which has been carefully evolved rather than completely reinvented over the years. The collection is characterized by its clean lines, often featuring a round, polished bezel and an integrated bracelet design that gives it a distinct and cohesive appearance. It has served as a platform for Mido to showcase both its design heritage and its commitment to incorporating modern movement technology, making it a fitting choice for special projects that require a blend of established identity and novel creative expression.



In recent years, Mido has undertaken a project to honor the cultural heritage of Mexico, one of its significant and long-standing markets. This initiative has resulted in a series of special edition timepieces dedicated to the Día de Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. This celebration, rich with symbolism and vibrant visuals, provided a deep well of inspiration. The resulting watches have become highly anticipated annual releases, known for their unique artistic dials. Initially created for the Mexican market, the popularity of these editions has grown substantially, attracting interest from collectors and enthusiasts globally. Responding to this widespread demand, Mido has begun to make a limited number of these pieces available to a worldwide audience, allowing more people to experience this unique intersection of Swiss engineering and Mexican cultural artistry.



The latest release in this series is the Commander Gradient Catrines, a watch that continues the tradition of celebrating the Día de Muertos. This sixth edition draws its thematic inspiration from the iconic figures of "El Catrín" and "La Catrina," skeletal figures dressed in formal attire that have become central symbols of the holiday. These figures are not intended to be morbid; rather, they represent a joyful and respectful remembrance of the departed, embodying a spirit of cultural pride and continuity. The watch aims to capture this essence, translating the visual language of the celebration into a functional piece of timekeeping equipment. It serves as a wearable representation of a tradition that celebrates life and memory with color, light, and a profound sense of history.



The dial of the Commander Gradient Catrines is the centerpiece of its design, serving as the canvas for its cultural narrative. The foundation is the unique gradient acrylic dial that defines this specific branch of the Commander collection. It is transparent at its center, allowing a direct view of the underlying mechanics and the date disc, and gradually darkens to an opaque black at its periphery. This smoky effect creates a visual depth and a framework that draws the eye inward. This construction choice is a departure from traditional solid dials, offering a glimpse into the mechanical heart of the watch from the front, a feature usually reserved for exhibition case backs. The gradient itself acts as a metaphor, transitioning from light to shadow, echoing the themes of passage and memory inherent in the Día de Muertos celebration.



Upon this semi-transparent stage, a detailed and brightly colored skull, the calavera, is rendered. The design is intricate, featuring floral motifs and patterns that are hallmarks of the holiday's folk art. The creation of this image involves the application of ten different lacquers, resulting in a complex and multi-hued composition. Shades of sky blue, turquoise, orange, purple, and fuchsia create a jubilant and lively appearance. The skull is surrounded by stylized flowers, further reinforcing the theme of life and rebirth. By day, the dial is a burst of color against the dark gradient background, immediately communicating its festive inspiration.



The visual experience of the dial transforms completely in low-light conditions. Mido has made extensive use of Super-LumiNova, a phosphorescent material, to give the watch a secondary identity at night. Eight different shades of the material are applied across the dial's elements. The outlines of the skull and the surrounding floral patterns are treated with lume, causing them to glow vividly in the dark with a fascinating blue and green light. This feature is not merely decorative; it fundamentally alters the watch's character, revealing a hidden, spectral version of the artwork that is only visible after dusk. The effect turns the dial into a dynamic element that changes with its environment.



This application of luminescent material extends beyond the central artwork. The polished, applied indices also feature Super-LumiNova, ensuring legibility in all lighting conditions. Each index has a central groove filled with a colored lacquer—purple, yellow, dark blue, or turquoise—which adds to the watch's colorful character during the day. The flat, diamond-cut hour and minute hands are also filled with a white lume that glows blue at night, making time-telling straightforward. The combination of colored lacquers and multi-hued phosphorescent paints creates a dial that is layered with detail, offering a different visual experience depending on the time of day and the ambient light.



The case of the Commander Gradient Catrines adheres to the established design language of the collection. It is crafted from stainless steel and measures 40mm in diameter, a contemporary size that is versatile enough for a wide range of wrist sizes. The case architecture is composed of three parts, with a combination of finishes that create textural contrast. The main body of the case features a satin-brushed finish, which is practical for hiding minor scratches from daily wear, while the distinctive, thin, rounded bezel is polished to a high shine. This interplay between brushed and polished surfaces is a subtle but effective design choice that adds a degree of refinement.



With a thickness of 10.8mm, the case maintains a relatively slim profile, allowing it to sit comfortably on the wrist and slide easily under a cuff. The lug-to-lug dimension is 43.83mm, a compact measurement that, combined with the 40mm diameter, ensures the watch has a contained presence on the wrist, avoiding the overhang that can occur with larger timepieces. The lugs themselves have a width of 21mm, a slightly unconventional size but one that provides a sturdy base for the included strap and bracelet options. A faceted and domed sapphire crystal protects the dial, offering superior scratch resistance compared to mineral glass and ensuring a clear view of the intricate dial work.



A key feature for any modern watch is its water resistance, and the Commander Gradient Catrines is rated to 5 bar, which is equivalent to 50 meters or 165 feet. This level of resistance means the watch is protected against splashes, rain, and brief accidental submersion, making it suitable for everyday activities. However, it is not designed for swimming or diving. The case back is a screw-on type, which contributes to its water resistance, and it features a transparent window that offers a secondary view of the movement within. This see-through case back allows the owner to appreciate the decorated mechanics from the rear of the watch.



Powering the Commander Gradient Catrines is the Mido Caliber 80, a self-winding movement based on the ETA C07.611. This modern caliber represents a significant technological step forward from older, more conventional movements. Its most prominent feature is an extended power reserve of up to 80 hours. This is approximately double the autonomy of many standard automatic movements, which typically run for about 38 to 42 hours. For the wearer, this means the watch can be taken off on a Friday evening and put back on Monday morning without needing to be wound or reset, a practical convenience for those who rotate through different watches.



The reliability and precision of the Caliber 80 are further enhanced by the inclusion of a Nivachron™ balance spring. This component is critical to a movement's accuracy, as its oscillations regulate the passage of time. The Nivachron™ balance spring is made from a titanium-based alloy that offers exceptional resistance to magnetism, one of the most common external forces that can negatively affect a mechanical watch's performance. It is also highly resistant to shocks and temperature variations, ensuring that the movement maintains stable and accurate timekeeping over the long term.



The movement is not just technically proficient; it is also finished to a high standard. As visible through the transparent case back, the oscillating weight, which winds the mainspring through the motion of the wearer's wrist, is decorated with Côtes de Genève—a pattern of parallel stripes—and is engraved with the Mido logo. This level of decoration, part of what Mido describes as an "elaborate" grade movement, adds to the visual appeal and underscores the brand's commitment to delivering quality both inside and out. The movement is adjusted in three positions to optimize its accuracy before leaving the factory.



A significant part of the special edition package is its versatility, provided by a set of three distinct and easily interchangeable straps. The primary option is a satin-finished stainless steel bracelet that integrates smoothly with the case design, offering a classic and durable look suitable for any occasion. It secures with a folding clasp that features push-buttons for release and is engraved with the Mido logo. The ability to quickly change the strap or bracelet without tools is a major functional benefit, allowing the owner to adapt the watch's appearance to suit different outfits or activities.



The second option included in the set is a black leather strap. This strap is detailed with contrasting blue stitching along its edges, which picks up on some of the cooler tones found in the dial's artwork. This option gives the watch a more traditional and slightly more formal appearance. Like the steel bracelet, it comes with a stainless steel folding clasp, ensuring a secure fit. The leather provides a different tactile experience on the wrist, offering a softer and lighter alternative to the metal bracelet.



The third and most vibrant option is a textured rubber strap in a bold orange color. This choice directly connects to Mido's signature brand color and also references the color of the cempasúchil, the Mexican marigold that is closely associated with the Día de Muertos. This strap gives the watch a much more casual and sporty character, making it an excellent choice for relaxed settings or for wearers who want to highlight the festive nature of the timepiece. This strap is fitted with a stainless steel pin buckle, a simple and secure closure system. Together, these three options transform the watch from a steel-bracelet daily wearer to a more refined leather-strapped piece to a bold, colorful statement.



As a special edition, the Commander Gradient Catrines is presented in a unique watch box designed specifically for this model. The packaging is crafted to reflect the distinctive character of the watch it contains. The box is designed to hold not only the watch but also the two additional straps, with dedicated compartments that display the full set. This thoughtful presentation enhances the ownership experience and reinforces the watch's status as a collector's item. It acknowledges that the straps are not just accessories but integral parts of the overall package, intended to be used and enjoyed.



The Mido Commander Gradient Catrines Special Edition is priced at $1,250.00. For this price, the buyer receives a Swiss-made automatic watch with an advanced movement, a highly detailed and artistic dial, and a versatile package with three interchangeable strap and bracelet options. The decision by Mido to expand the availability of this edition beyond Mexico is a direct response to the growing global appreciation for its unique design. While it is now available in other markets, it is offered in exclusive, limited numbers, maintaining its special character.



Case: 40mm satin-finished stainless steel case with a polished bezel; 10.8mm thickness; 21mm lug width; Domed sapphire crystal; See-through screw-on case back; Water-resistant to 5 bar (50 m / 165 ft).

Movement: MIDO Automatic Caliber 80 (ETA C07.611 base); Power reserve of up to 80 hours; Nivachron™ balance spring; 25 jewels; Decorated with Côtes de Genève on the oscillating weight.

Dial: Black gradient on a transparent acrylic base; Features a central skull and flower "Catrines" motif created with 10 different lacquers and 8 shades of Super-LumiNova®; Polished applied indexes with Super-LumiNova®; Date window at 3 o’clock.

Strap: Three easily interchangeable straps included: a satin-finished stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp, a black leather strap with blue stitching and folding clasp, and a textured orange rubber strap with a pin buckle.

Price: $1,250.00

Reference Number: M021.407.11.411.04

Notes: A special edition celebrating the Mexican holiday Día de Muertos. The dial's intricate skull design glows brightly in the dark using eight different colors of Super-LumiNova®. The watch is delivered in a special box containing the two additional straps.