MIDO has introduced a compelling new iteration within its well-regarded Ocean Star collection, the Ocean Star GMT Yellow Gold PVD, model M026.629.37.291.00. This timepiece is engineered for individuals who navigate different time zones, whether for global travel or professional demands, and it presents a striking visual statement with its warm color palette and robust build. The watch expands upon the brand's legacy of creating functional, water-ready instruments by incorporating a highly practical dual-time complication.
The history of
Mido stretches back to 1918, when Georges Schaeren established the company in Switzerland. The name "MIDO" itself is derived from the Spanish phrase "Yo mido," meaning "I measure," a clear indication of the brand's foundational commitment to the accurate measurement of time. Throughout its existence, MIDO has consistently focused on producing watches that offer a blend of innovative technology, reliable movements, high-quality materials, and distinctive design, aiming to make sophisticated Swiss watchmaking accessible.
Courtesy of MIDO
A significant part of MIDO's heritage is its pioneering work in water-resistant watch construction. As early as 1934, the company developed the Aquadura cork-crown sealing system, a groundbreaking innovation for its time that helped protect movements from water ingress. The Ocean Star line, which first appeared in 1944, is a direct descendant of this commitment to aquatic performance. These watches were conceived to be dependable companions for those who interact with the marine environment, and this new GMT model continues that tradition with modern enhancements.
The Ocean Star GMT Yellow Gold PVD offers an immediate visual appeal characterized by a retro-chic sensibility. It skillfully combines a rich yellow gold hue with deep black and an inviting chocolate brown, creating a sophisticated yet sporty look. The watch projects an air of adventure, ready for exploration, while its refined color scheme allows it to be versatile across various settings. The visual weight is substantial, conveying a sense of durability and purpose.
The case of this Ocean Star GMT is crafted from stainless steel, providing a solid foundation of strength and corrosion resistance. This steel is then treated with a yellow gold colored PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating. PVD is a modern process that bonds a thin film of material to the base metal in a vacuum, resulting in a durable and evenly colored finish. The application here gives the watch a lustrous golden appearance that catches the light, enhancing its presence on the wrist.
This warm golden finish is applied thoughtfully across the case, with contrasting surface treatments that add visual depth. Parts of the case feature a satin finish, which diffuses light for a softer look, while other areas are polished to a high shine, creating bright reflections. This interplay between brushed and polished surfaces is a hallmark of quality watch finishing, highlighting the case's lines and contours. The screw-down crown, also in the yellow gold PVD, nestles protected into the side of the case, contributing to the watch's overall robust profile.
With a diameter of 44mm, the case makes a confident statement. The lug-to-lug length is specified as 50.10mm, an important dimension for assessing how the watch will sit across the wrist. The average thickness is 13.4mm, which is fairly standard for a dive-style watch with an automatic movement and GMT complication, allowing it to feel substantial without being overly cumbersome. The lug width is a common 22mm, offering flexibility for strap changes if desired.
A key feature for any dive-inspired watch is its bezel, and the Ocean Star GMT incorporates a unidirectional rotating bezel. This safety feature, critical for divers timing bottom time, rotates counter-clockwise only, preventing accidental extension of a timed interval. The bezel insert is made from black ceramic, a material prized in modern watchmaking for its exceptional scratch resistance and resistance to fading from UV light. This ensures the bezel remains looking pristine even with active use.
Courtesy of MIDO
The markings on the ceramic bezel are rendered in a contrasting white varnish for clear legibility. A prominent dot filled with white Super-LumiNova® is positioned at the 12 o'clock marker, providing a crucial reference point in low-light conditions. The edge of the bezel is grooved, offering a secure grip for easy manipulation, even when wearing gloves or when hands are wet. This practical design element underscores the watch's tool-watch capabilities.
Protecting the dial is a sapphire crystal. Sapphire is second only to diamond in hardness, making it extremely resistant to scratches and ensuring the dial remains clear and unobstructed over time. On this model, the crystal receives an anti-reflective treatment on both sides. This is a significant enhancement, as it dramatically reduces glare and reflections, allowing the wearer to easily read the time from almost any angle without visual interference.
The dial itself is a velvety black, providing a rich, deep backdrop that enhances the visibility of the hands and markers. This non-reflective surface minimizes distracting sheen and allows the applied indexes to stand out sharply. The choice of a velvety texture adds a touch of refinement to the otherwise sporty character of the watch, creating a sense of depth.
The hour markers are individually applied to the dial, a detail that adds to the perceived quality. These geometric indexes are generously coated with white Super-LumiNova®, a phosphorescent material that glows brightly in the dark after being charged by light. This ensures that the time can be read easily in dim environments or underwater, a critical feature for a watch with diving credentials.
The primary time is indicated by a set of diamond-cut and faceted hour and minute hands. These hands have grooves down their centers and are also treated with white Super-LumiNova® for excellent low-light visibility. The yellow gold color of these hands matches the case, tying the design elements together. The central seconds hand is also diamond-cut and faceted, featuring a distinctive brown varnished tip and a Super-LumiNova® coating, adding a subtle warm accent against the black dial.
Courtesy of MIDO
A key feature of this model is its GMT complication, indicated by a dedicated fourth hand. This additional hand is finished in a striking brown varnish, matching the tip of the seconds hand and the strap. It features an arrow tip, also coated with white Super-LumiNova®, and it makes one complete revolution of the dial every 24 hours. This hand points to the second time zone on a dedicated scale.
This 24-hour scale is located on the flange, the angled ring that sits between the main dial surface and the crystal. The flange is cleverly designed with a two-tone black and brown scheme; the brown section typically indicates daytime hours (e.g., 6 AM to 6 PM) for the second time zone, while the black section indicates nighttime hours. This provides an intuitive at-a-glance understanding of whether it's day or night in the home or secondary location.
For added everyday convenience, a date window is discreetly positioned at the 3 o'clock marker. The date is displayed via a white numerals on a black background, which helps it integrate smoothly into the black dial. Overall, the dial is designed for exceptional readability, with clear contrasts, generous lume, and a well-organized layout of information, making it easy to absorb time, date, and the second time zone quickly.
At the heart of the Ocean Star GMT beats the MIDO Caliber 80, an automatic movement based on the ETA C07.661. This modern caliber is a significant piece of engineering, offering several benefits to the wearer. Its automatic winding mechanism means it is powered by the motion of the wearer's wrist, eliminating the need for manual winding when worn regularly.
One of the most notable features of the Caliber 80 is its impressive power reserve of up to 80 hours. This is approximately double what many standard automatic movements offer. Such an extended power reserve means the watch can be taken off for a few days – say, over a weekend – and potentially still be running when picked up again, without needing to be reset. This adds a great deal of practical convenience for the user.
The movement also incorporates a Nivachron™ balance spring. Nivachron™ is an advanced alloy that offers excellent resistance to the negative effects of magnetism, which are increasingly prevalent in our modern environment due to electronics. Magnetic fields can significantly impair the accuracy of a mechanical watch, so this feature enhances the watch's reliability and precision over time. It also offers good resistance to shocks and temperature variations. The movement operates at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz) and contains 25 jewels to reduce friction at critical points.
Courtesy of MIDO
While hidden behind a solid case back, the Caliber 80 in this Ocean Star GMT is described as an elaborate and finely decorated movement. The oscillating weight, the component that winds the mainspring, is adorned with Côtes de Genève striping and engraved with the MIDO logo. The movement is also adjustable to three different positions to ensure a high degree of accuracy, reflecting MIDO's commitment to horological performance.
Reinforcing its "Ocean Star" name, the watch boasts a water resistance rating of 20 bar, which is equivalent to 200 meters or 660 feet. This level of water resistance is achieved through careful engineering, including the use of a screw-down crown and a solid screw-down case back. The screw-down crown creates a much more secure seal against water ingress than a simple push-pull crown, as it threads into the case.
The case back itself is not merely functional; it is engraved with time-zone indications, providing a handy quick reference for globetrotters. These engravings list major cities around the world corresponding to the 24 primary time zones, adding to the travel-oriented theme of the watch. The serial number is also engraved on the case back, uniquely identifying each piece. This robust construction makes the watch suitable for swimming, snorkeling, and recreational diving.
Complementing the warm tones of the case and dial accents is a chocolate-colored rubber strap. Rubber is an excellent choice for a sports watch due to its durability, water resistance, and comfort against the skin. The strap features relief motifs, adding a textural element and visual interest. The rich brown color is a perfect match for the brown GMT hand and the daytime portion of the 24-hour flange, creating a cohesive look.
The strap is secured to the wrist with a stainless steel folding clasp that is also treated with a yellow gold-colored PVD coating to match the case. This clasp features a diving extension, allowing the strap to be quickly lengthened to fit over a wetsuit sleeve – another practical detail for underwater use. The MIDO logo is engraved on the clasp, signifying the brand's attention to detail. The strap attaches to the case via lug bars designed for quick changes, allowing the owner to easily swap straps if they wish to alter the watch's appearance.
Courtesy of MIDO
The GMT function itself is remarkably user-friendly. The additional hour hand, moving independently, allows the wearer to track a second time zone – perhaps "home" time while traveling, or the time in a business associate's location. Setting it is typically done via the crown, allowing for easy adjustment as one crosses into new time zones or needs to reference a different part of theworld. This complication is especially valued by pilots, frequent flyers, and anyone coordinating activities across multiple regions.
The suggested retail price for the MIDO Ocean Star GMT Yellow Gold PVD (Model M026.629.37.291.00) is CHF 1,350.00. It is part of MIDO's broader Ocean Star collection and is available through MIDO's network of authorized retailers in 70 countries, as well as on major digital sales platforms and the brand's own boutiques and e-boutiques.
Case: Stainless steel with yellow gold colour PVD coating, round, 44mm diameter, 13.4mm thickness, 50.10mm lug-to-lug, 22mm lug width. Unidirectional rotating bezel with black ceramic ring and white Super-LumiNova® dot. Sapphire crystal with double sided anti-reflection. Screw-down crown and case back engraved with time zones. Water resistance 20 bar (200 m / 660 ft).
Movement: Mido Automatic ETA Caliber 80 (ETA C07.661 base). Functions: Date, GMT, HMSD. Power reserve up to 80 hours. Nivachron™ balance spring. 25 jewels, 21,600 Vib/h. Oscillating weight decorated with Côtes de Genève and MIDO logo.
Dial: Velvety black color. Applied indexes with white Super-LumiNova®. Date at 3 o'clock. Black and brown flange for second time zone indication. Diamond-cut hands with Super-LumiNova®; brown varnished GMT hand.
Strap: Brown rubber (synthetic front and back) with relief motifs. Yellow gold-coloured PVD-treated stainless steel folding clasp with diving extension and engraved MIDO logo. Lug bars for quick change. Strap reference M603019501.
Price: CHF 1,350.00
Reference Number: M026.629.37.291.00
Notes: Features a practical GMT function displaying two time zones. Offers an extended power reserve of up to 80 hours. Case back is engraved with time-zone indications. Distinctive yellow gold PVD, black, and chocolate brown color scheme.