In the sphere of Swiss watchmaking, the synthesis of robust functionality and striking aesthetics often defines a timepiece's character. MIDO, a brand with a legacy rooted in pragmatic innovation, presents a compelling new entry in its esteemed dive watch collection: the Ocean Star 200C Rose Gold PVD. This model, reference M042.430.36.091.00, introduces a warm and unconventional color palette to a tool-watch framework, pairing a deep green dial with a lustrous rose gold-colored case. The result is a watch that commands attention not through overt opulence, but through a carefully considered balance of color, material, and mechanical prowess.
The story of
Mido begins in 1918, founded in Switzerland by the visionary watchmaker Georges Schaeren. The brand's name itself is a declaration of its core mission, derived from the Spanish phrase "Yo mido," which translates to "I measure." This simple yet profound statement has guided the company for over a century, cementing its focus on creating reliable instruments for measuring time. From its inception, MIDO has consistently pursued a path of functional excellence, often pioneering technologies that enhance the durability and practicality of its watches for everyday wearers.
Courtesy of MIDO
A significant milestone in MIDO's history was the development of the Aquadura system in the 1930s, an innovative cork-based crown-sealing system that dramatically improved water resistance. This early mastery of waterproofing technology became a cornerstone of the brand's identity, earning it a reputation for building remarkably resilient timepieces. By the 1980s, this expertise was so well-recognized that the brand earned the moniker "King of Waterproof Watches," a testament to its long-standing commitment to creating watches that could withstand the rigors of an active lifestyle, particularly in and around water.
This deep-seated expertise in water resistance provided the perfect foundation for the Ocean Star collection, first launched in 1944. Conceived as a line of dependable companions for marine exploration and aquatic activities, the Ocean Star has always symbolized endurance and reliability. The collection’s emblematic logo, a starfish, is proudly engraved on the case back of each model, serving as a constant reminder of its nautical heritage. The new Ocean Star 200C in rose gold PVD and green continues this tradition, integrating modern materials and advanced watchmaking into the collection’s enduring spirit.
The watch's presence on the wrist is defined by its 42.5 mm stainless steel case, which has been treated with a rose gold-colored PVD coating. PVD, or Physical Vapor Deposition, is a modern coating process that bonds a thin layer of material to the base metal in a vacuum, resulting in a finish that is significantly more durable and resistant to scratches and wear than traditional plating. This application gives the watch the warm, rich hue of rose gold while retaining the strength and corrosion resistance of stainless steel. The case architecture is thoughtfully executed, with a dynamic interplay between satin-brushed surfaces on the flanks and brightly polished finishes on the beveled edges, creating a visual depth that catches and reflects light in interesting ways.
Courtesy of MIDO
With an overall thickness of 12.3 mm and a lug-to-lug distance of 49.06 mm, the case dimensions are contemporary and substantial, yet designed for balanced wearability. The shape of the case incorporates integrated guards that flank the screw-down crown, offering enhanced protection against accidental impacts that could compromise the watch's seal. This practical design choice underscores the Ocean Star’s tool-watch origins. The crown itself is also finished with the same rose gold-colored PVD treatment and is finely knurled for a secure grip, ensuring easy operation when setting the time or winding the movement.
A defining feature of any serious dive-style watch is its rotating bezel, and the Ocean Star 200C excels in this regard. The unidirectional rotating bezel is fitted with a high-tech ceramic insert, rendered in a shade of green that perfectly matches the dial. Ceramic is one of watchmaking's most sought-after materials due to its exceptional hardness, which makes it virtually scratch-proof. Furthermore, its color is impervious to fading from UV light exposure, ensuring the vibrant green hue will remain unchanged over years of use. This material choice elevates the watch, giving it a premium feel and long-lasting durability.
The bezel is precisely engineered for function, rotating counter-clockwise only as a safety measure for divers to prevent accidental overestimation of dive time. It is marked with a 60-minute scale to track elapsed time, with clear markings for easy legibility. At the 12 o’clock position, a luminous pip filled with white Super-LumiNova® serves as a clear orientation point, a critical feature for visibility in the low-light conditions found beneath the water's surface. The tactile feel of the bezel's rotation provides satisfying, crisp clicks, speaking to the quality of its construction.
The face of the watch is where its unique personality truly shines. The dial is presented in a deep, matt green, decorated with a subtle but distinct horizontal ripple pattern. This "wave" decoration adds texture and character, directly alluding to the collection's marine DNA. The color is evocative of the deep green waters of a secluded mountain lake, creating a connection to nature that is both calming and adventurous. This choice of a non-traditional color sets the watch apart from a sea of black and blue dive watches.
Courtesy of MIDO
Legibility, a paramount concern for any functional timepiece, is expertly handled. The dial features individually applied hour markers, which are generously filled with white Super-LumiNova. This luminescent material provides a bright, long-lasting glow in the dark, ensuring that the time can be read at a glance in any lighting condition. The hands are equally functional; the hour and minute hands are diamond-cut and faceted, with a central channel also filled with Super-LumiNova®, while the large, diamond-cut seconds hand features a luminous tip for tracking continuous operation.
Protecting this intricate dial is a flat sapphire crystal. Sapphire is second only to diamond in hardness, offering superior scratch resistance that keeps the watch looking pristine through daily wear and adventurous use. Adding to its performance, the crystal is treated with an anti-reflective coating on both sides. This is a significant technical enhancement, as it drastically reduces glare and reflections, making the dial appear incredibly clear and almost invisible under certain lighting conditions, further enhancing legibility. At the 3 o’clock position, a neatly framed aperture displays both the day of the week and the date, adding a layer of everyday practicality.
At the heart of the Ocean Star 200C beats the formidable MIDO Automatic Caliber 80, a movement based on the reliable ETA C07.621 architecture. The "80" in its name refers to its most impressive feature: a power reserve of up to 80 hours. This is double the autonomy of many standard automatic movements, which typically offer around 40 hours. In practical terms, this extended power reserve means the owner can set the watch down on a Friday evening and find it still ticking accurately on Monday morning, a convenience that is highly appreciated in modern watch ownership.
Further enhancing the performance of this advanced caliber is the inclusion of a Nivachron balance spring. The balance spring is the regulating organ of a mechanical movement, and its stability is critical for accuracy. The Nivachron balance spring is crafted from a revolutionary titanium-based metal alloy that provides exceptional resistance to magnetic fields, which are ubiquitous in our modern environment and a common cause of watch inaccuracy. It is also highly resistant to shocks and the effects of temperature changes, ensuring greater precision and remarkable durability over the long term.
Courtesy of MIDO
This commitment to horological excellence is reflected even in the parts of the movement that are hidden from view behind a solid case back. The oscillating weight, which winds the mainspring through the motion of the wearer's wrist, is decorated with classic Côtes de Genève stripes and engraved with the MIDO logo. The movement is also adjusted in three different positions during assembly to ensure a high degree of accuracy right out of the box. These details demonstrate a level of finishing and care that is characteristic of high-quality Swiss watchmaking.
Turning the watch over reveals a solid, screw-down case back made from stainless steel and coated in the same rose gold-colored PVD. The screw-down design is essential for ensuring the watch's water resistance. The center of the case back is dominated by the collection's iconic starfish logo, rendered in a polished, raised relief that stands out against the surrounding brushed surface. This tactile and visual detail is a proud nod to the Ocean Star’s heritage and purpose, reinforcing its identity as a capable aquatic timepiece.
The watch is secured to the wrist with a handsome brown leather strap, which features a crocodile-style embossed pattern and is accented with white contrast stitching near the lugs. The deep brown of the leather creates a harmonious and earthy contrast with the green dial and rose gold-colored case, completing a sophisticated yet approachable color scheme. While the top of the strap is leather, the underside is made of a synthetic material for improved durability and comfort against the skin, especially in warmer conditions.
A key user-friendly feature of the strap is the inclusion of a quick-change system, utilizing simple lug bars that allow the owner to easily swap the strap for another option without the need for special tools. This versatility allows the watch's character to be changed in moments, adapting from its refined leather look to a more rugged rubber or nylon strap for actual water activities. The strap is fastened with a sturdy pin buckle, made from stainless steel with a rose gold PVD coating to match the case and engraved with the MIDO logo.
Courtesy of MIDO
The technical specifications confirm the watch's capabilities. It boasts a water resistance rating of 20 bar, which is equivalent to 200 meters or 660 feet. This level of resistance, achieved through the combination of the screw-down crown and screw-down case back, makes the watch suitable for a wide range of aquatic pursuits, including swimming, snorkeling, and recreational scuba diving. MIDO's long-established expertise in this domain provides assurance of its exceptional reliability in wet environments.
The MIDO Ocean Star 200C Rose Gold PVD, model M042.430.36.091.00, is positioned to offer considerable value. With a suggested retail price of $1,300.00, it provides access to premium materials and advanced mechanical technology at a price point that remains accessible within the Swiss watch industry. The watch is available through MIDO's global network of 2,400 official retailers across 70 countries, as well as on the brand’s official e-boutique and other major digital sales platforms, making this compelling combination of endurance and style readily obtainable for watch enthusiasts worldwide.
Case: Stainless steel with rose gold PVD coating; 42.5mm diameter, 12.3mm thickness, 22mm lug width. Unidirectional rotating bezel with green ceramic ring. Sapphire crystal with double-sided anti-reflection treatment. Screw-down crown and case back. Water resistance 20 bar (200m / 660 ft).
Movement: Automatic MIDO Caliber 80 (ETA C07.621 base). Power reserve up to 80 hours. Features Nivachron™ balance spring, 25 jewels, 21,600 Vib/h. Functions include hours, minutes, seconds, day, and date.
Dial: Matt green with "wave" decoration. Applied indexes with white Super-LumiNova®. Diamond-cut and faceted hands with white Super-LumiNova®. Day/date window at 3 o'clock.
Strap: Brown crocodile-style leather with white stitching and synthetic backing. Features a quick-change system. Stainless steel pin buckle with rose gold PVD coating.
Price: $1,300.00
Reference Number: M042.430.36.091.00
Notes: The watch combines high-tech materials like a ceramic bezel with advanced horology, including an 80-hour power reserve and a Nivachron™ balance spring for enhanced magnetic resistance.