What Makes Mido Watches a Hidden Gem in Swiss Watchmaking?
Mido watches are a hidden gem because they offer serious Swiss mechanical features at approachable prices. Every Mido watch we list is automatic; many run on the Caliber 80 movement with up to 80 hours of power reserve, and several add a Nivachron balance spring for magnetic resistance. The Ocean Star divers also feature sapphire crystals and up to 200 meters of water resistance. At Hislon Jewelers, the in-stock Mido watches featured in this guide range from $960 to $3,050.
This guide explains what sets Mido Swiss watches apart, walks through the Mido watch collection we carry, takes a closer look at Mido Ocean Star watches, and helps you choose the right Mido automatic watch.
What sets Mido Swiss watches apart?
Caliber 80: a long power reserve
Many of Mido’s automatic watches use the Caliber 80. This Swiss automatic movement offers a power reserve of up to 80 hours, double that of a standard movement. If you take the watch off on a Friday evening, it should still be ticking on Monday morning. This movement powers all the Ocean Star and Commander models featured in this guide, plus the Multifort 8 One Crown.
Nivachron: built to resist magnetism
The Ocean Star 200C and Commander Gradient models feature a Nivachron balance spring combined with the Caliber 80. The company describes Nivachron as a titanium alloy that offers strong protection against magnetic fields and is highly shock-resistant. This matters because magnetic fields from everyday items can affect timekeeping in mechanical watches.
Water resistance and practical design
Mido has a long history of building water-resistant watches, and the Ocean Star 200C shows it clearly with 200 meters of water resistance. Practical design matters just as much. The Multifort 8 One Crown reflects what Mido calls Technometry, a blend of technology and geometry. You can see it in the watch’s octagonal bezel and its dial structured with horizontal grooves.
Every one is automatic.
All 93 Mido watches on our site are automatic. They wind themselves as you wear them, so you never have to replace batteries.
The Mido watch collection at Hislon Jewelers
Our Mido watch collection lists 93 automatic watches across five lines. When we checked, 22 were in stock.
|
Line |
Watches listed |
|
Ocean Star |
40 |
|
Multifort |
36 |
|
Commander |
13 |
|
Baroncelli |
3 |
|
Rainflower |
1 |
In-stock highlights outside the Ocean Star line include:
- Multifort Automatic Silver Dial M005.430.36.031.80, $960
- Multifort 8 One Crown M055.507.17.051.00, $1,030. It’s 9.9mm thick, water-resistant to 100 meters, and has a transparent caseback.
- Rainflower M043.207.11.011.00, $1,320
- Multifort 8 Two Crowns M047.507.11.051.00, $1,520
- Multifort TV Big Date M049.526.33.021.00, $1,720
- Multifort TV Chronograph M049.527.33.081.00, $3,050, the highest-priced Mido on our site
Mido Ocean Star watches
The Ocean Star is the largest line in our Mido watch collection, and it shows Mido’s water-resistance expertise most clearly. Mido Ocean Star watches in stock when we checked include:
|
Watch |
Price |
Case |
Key details |
|
$1,100 |
42.5 × 11.8 mm |
Black dial, steel bracelet, day and date, 200 m |
|
|
$1,360 |
42.5 × 12.3 mm |
Ceramic bezel, green dial, Nivachron, 200 m |
|
|
$1,360 |
— |
A second dial option of the 200C |
|
|
$1,360 |
40.5 × 13.4 mm |
Vintage-inspired, black dial, leather strap, 200 m |
The Ocean Star 200 is the most affordable of the group. It has Super-LumiNova-filled indexes, a screw-down crown and a steel bracelet with a diving extension.
The Ocean Star 200C adds a unidirectional rotating bezel with a ceramic insert, a material Mido calls one of watchmaking's most outstanding materials.
The Ocean Star Tribute reinterprets Mido’s 1960s diving models in a smaller 40.5mm case.
All three run on the Caliber 80 and offer up to 80 hours of power reserve. Other Ocean Star models, such as the Ocean Star 39 and 36.5, are listed on our site but were sold out when we checked.
How to choose the right Mido automatic watch
For swimming and diving, pick an Ocean Star. The Ocean Star 200 is the value pick, the 200C adds the ceramic bezel, and the Tribute offers a vintage-inspired look in a smaller case.
For everyday wear, look at the Multifort 8 One Crown. At 9.9 mm thick with 100 meters of water resistance, it suits work and weekends alike.
For mechanical detail, the Commander Gradient lets you see the Caliber 80 through its transparent dial and caseback. It has 50 meters of water resistance, so treat it as an everyday watch rather than one for swimming.
For a bigger statement, look at the Multifort TV models, including the TV Big Date at $1,720 and the TV Chronograph at $3,050, the highest-priced Mido on our site.
Check the size. Our featured Mido automatic watches range from 40mm (the Commander Gradient and Multifort 8 One Crown) to 42.5mm (the Ocean Star 200 and 200C). Trying a few in person is the easiest way to decide.
Buy Mido watches at Hislon Jewelers.
Hislon Jewelers lists Mido among the authorized brands on its website. The Mido listings we checked in detail, including the Ocean Star, Commander Gradient, and Multifort 8 One Crown models featured here, show a two-year warranty. Shop our full Mido watch collection online, with free shipping on orders over $500, or see the watches in person at our Long Island store.
Hislon Jewelers
2164 Merrick Rd, Merrick, NY 11566
(516) 208-6194
hislonjewelers@gmail.com
Many Mido models sell out, so call or email before you visit to confirm that the watch you want is available.
