5 Best Mido Watches Under $1,500
The best Mido watches under $1,500 at Hislon Jewelers are:
- Best value diver: Ocean Star 200 M026.430.11.051.00, $1,100
- Best upgrade diver: Ocean Star 200C M042.430.11.091.00, $1,360
- Best vintage-style diver: Ocean Star Tribute M026.830.11.051.00, $1,360
- Best for seeing the movement: Commander Gradient M021.407.33.411.00, $1,260
- Best slim everyday watch: Multifort 8 One Crown M055.507.17.051.00, $1,030
All five watches are automatic, with a power reserve of up to 80 hours, powered by Mido’s Caliber 80. We researched these watches based on price, case size, water resistance, design, and wearability.
Why Mido Swiss watches are worth a look
Mido watches are Swiss automatics, and three features come up again and again across our picks:
- Caliber 80: An automatic movement that provides up to 80 hours of power reserve. Mido says this is double the power reserve of a standard movement, meaning if you take your watch off on Friday, it will still be running on Monday.
- Nivachron balance spring: A titanium-based alloy that helps reduce magnetic interference and can withstand shocks. It is used in the Caliber 80 movement across these models.
- Sapphire glass: All watches come with sapphire glass; many have anti-reflective coating on both sides.
In our range of Mido watches, 84 automatic models are available. All Mido watches listed in this guide offer a two-year warranty.
The 5 best Mido watches under $1,500
1. Mido Ocean Star 200 M026.430.11.051.00 ($1,100): best value diver
The Ocean Star 200 is the most affordable watch in this guide. It's a full dive watch with a 200 m water resistance rating. It has a screw-down crown protected by the case design and a screw-down case back with an Ocean Star engraving.
The black dial features Super-LumiNova-filled indexes and skeletonized hands. The 6 and 12 o’clock indexes have double dot markers for easier underwater reading. The steel case measures 42.5mm and is very slim at 11.8mm. The watch comes with a steel bracelet, a fold-over clasp, and a diving extender. The watch also has date and day functionality.
2. Mido Ocean Star 200C M042.430.11.091.00 ($1,360): best upgrade diver
The Ocean Star 200C features a ceramic ring in the uni-directional rotating bezel, one of the most remarkable materials used in the industry according to Mido. Individually applied indexes on the dial are covered in white Super-LumiNova. This model can be found with a green dial.
The watch retains the 200m water resistance of the Ocean Star range, with a screwed crown. The case measures 42.5mm in diameter by 12.3mm thick. It comes with a steel bracelet and a diving extension. The watch also displays the day and date. If you would like to see the 200C with a different dial, then you can find the M042.430.11.041.00 model for the same price of $1,360.
3. Mido Ocean Star Tribute M026.830.11.051.00 ($1,360): best vintage-style diver
The Ocean Star Tribute is a modern take on Mido's 1960s divers. At 40.5mm wide and 13.4mm thick, it's the smallest Ocean Star in this selection. A perfect choice if you have a smaller wrist or want a vintage size.
Still offering 200m water resistance thanks to its screw-down crown, the watch also displays the date and day through its sapphire crystal. The black dial pairs with a black leather strap.
4. Mido Commander Gradient M021.407.33.411.00 ($1,260): best for seeing the movement
The Commander Gradient is the first watch in the Commander range to have a transparent acrylic dial. The dial lets you see the Caliber 80 movement, along with the transparent case back. The dial also has a smoked gradient effect with a darkened edge.
The 40mm case is only 10.8mm thick. The stainless steel case has a black PVD finish. It comes with a black steel bracelet. The date is displayed at 3 o’clock. It has 50m water resistance, so treat it as a dress or daily watch.
5. Mido Multifort 8 One Crown M055.507.17.051.00 ($1,030): best slim everyday watch
The slimmest and lightest timepiece on this list is the Multifort 8 One Crown. The watch is 9.9mm thick and weighs 90 grams. It has an octagonal bezel and a horizontal patterned dial. Mido calls this 'Technometry', combining technology and geometry.
The watch is made from satin steel with polished edges. It is 40mm wide. The timepiece is water-resistant to 100m and has a transparent case back to view the Caliber 80 movement. It comes with a black rubber strap and a pin clasp, and it displays the date.
Mido watches compared
| Watch | Price | Case | Thickness | Water Resistance | Dial/Strap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multifort 8 One Crown | $1,030 | 40mm | 9.9mm | 100m | Black dial, rubber strap |
| Ocean Star 200 | $1,100 | 42.5mm | 11.8mm | 200m | Black dial, steel bracelet |
| Commander Gradient | $1,260 | 40mm | 10.8mm | 50m | Transparent black gradient dial, black PVD steel bracelet |
| Ocean Star 200C | $1,360 | 42.5mm | 12.3mm | 200m | Green dial, steel bracelet |
| Ocean Star Tribute | $1,360 | 40.5mm | 13.4mm | 200m | Black dial, leather strap |
All five use the Caliber 80 automatic movement, with up to 80 hours of power reserve, and a sapphire crystal.
How to choose the right Mido watch
- If you're a swimmer or diver, the Ocean Star range will be a great choice. All have a 200m rating and a screw-down crown. The Ocean Star 200 is the cheapest of the three, the 200C has a ceramic bezel, and the Tribute has a smaller vintage-style case.
- The Multifort 8 One Crown is the slimmest and lightest option if you need one watch for work and weekends. It has a 100m rating.
- If you enjoy the mechanical aspects of a watch, the Commander Gradient has an open dial and case back so you can see the movement. It only has a 50m rating, though.
- Consider the size. The 42.5mm Ocean Star 200 and 200C will look bigger on the wrist. The 40mm and 40.5mm are better for smaller wrists. The easiest way to determine this is to try them on.
Buy Mido watches at Hislon Jewelers
Hislon Jewelers lists Mido among the authorized brands on its website, alongside Tissot, Hamilton, Seiko, Bulova, and Frederique Constant. We carry a wide selection of Mido watches online, with free shipping on orders over $500. You can also view the watches in person in our Long Island store.
Hislon Jewelers
2164 Merrick Rd, Merrick, NY 11566
(516) 208-6194
hislonjewelers@gmail.com
