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The Mido Ocean Star GMT expands the diving collection of the Swiss traditional manufacturer with an interesting world time watch, whose time zone information can be found in a very unusual place. GMT and diving watch in one – I will show you this and all other exciting details in my review!
What the Mido Ocean Star GMT promises…
The diving watches of the Ocean Star collection from Mido are considered to be insider tips among Swiss timepieces. Since 1959, the collection has been writing success stories worldwide, even if the traditional manufacturer is (still) a bit unknown, at least in Europe. Since about mid-2020, Mido again carries a GMT variant in the Ocean-Star collection, which makes me personally particularly happy. As you know, I have a bit of a weakness for this niche.
Basically, the new model Mido Ocean Star GMT fits quite harmoniously into the Mido-typical design line. Between the striking diver’s bezel and the large dash indices, you have to look a little closer to spot the GMT ring on the rehaut. Large GMT lettering or a world time index on the bezel? Not a thing. The Swiss watch manufacturer, which belongs to the Swatch Group, has implemented the theme very discreetly. The Mido Ocean Star GMT remains visually true to its collection and is a real diver. However, there is a surprise for all GMT fans on the back – but more on that later.
Inside the Mido Ocean Star GMT beats a caliber 80, whose name says it all. Mido claims an exceptional power reserve of up to 80 hours! Even beyond that, there are some interesting specifications that will positively surprise new discoverers of the brand. Four color variants are currently offered by the manufacturer. Today, I would like to put the model with the reference number M026.629.11.051.01 through its paces.
My second watch by Mido
Will this be the second watch from Mido which can inspire me? The Mido Ocean Star Chronograph was one of the big surprises for me at the beginning of this year. This was not only due to the interesting hybrid concept, consisting of diver and chronograph. Also the good workmanship, the excellent choice of materials and the moderate price made the timepiece a real top watch for me. So now it’s on to the GMT variant, a distant sister.
You can immediately recognize a signature. The orange accents and numerals, the functional yet elegant design and the square double indices at 12 and 6 o’clock. This watch is instantly recognizable as a genuine Mido. With the black dial and stainless steel case, the GMT diver simply looks timeless. Speaking of GMT – this function is only recognizable upon closer inspection. This, in turn, has the advantage that the watch is a real all-rounder, at least visually, and you can’t clearly pigeonhole it, which I would like to note in a positive way.
When feeling the case surfaces, the Mido Ocean Star GMT makes the usual good impression. Everything feels very high quality.
The Mido Ocean Star GMT on the wrist
This can also be felt on the wrist, where the diver’s watch sits very comfortably. A case diameter of 44 millimeters is a real mark, even for diving watches. Such a watch stands out; you should be aware of that. However, compared to the 44 millimeters in diameter, the Mido Ocean Star GMT measures just 13 millimeters in height. So, the watch sits quite flat on the wrist. The additional very dynamic design of the case sides give the diver a sporty look.
Overall, I think the proportions are very successful. The design is not too clunky. The classic stainless steel bracelet consisting of three-piece links also ensures that the Mido Ocean Star GMT retains a certain elegance. Compared to other diving watches, the Ocean Star GMT is one of the models that I can also recommend to you for a business lunch or meeting. The watch goes with shirt, jacket and any casual wear without hesitation.
The case of the Mido Ocean Star GMT
The case of the Mido Ocean Star GMT is shared with the other models in the collection. It is made of stainless steel and is manufactured as a single piece, i.e. not from multiple components. The surfaces are mostly satin-finished and more rarely polished. This gives the watch a functional, somewhat dignified look. Sitting atop the case is the bezel, which is made of lightweight ceramic. As a true diver’s bezel, it is unidirectional, meaning it can be rotated on one side. At 120 clicks, it has a 60 minute graduation. Its clicks have no play when you turn the bezel, which feels great to the touch. The sides of the bezel are roughly fluted. This makes accurate adjustment much easier. The decision against a GMT bezel, possibly two-tone, is well chosen in my opinion. After all, the Mido Ocean Star GMT is still primarily a diver’s watch.
When it comes to the watch crystal, no one is fooling Mido. This is one of the best in the segment and impresses with its exceptional sharpness and transparency. This is achieved through the use of very robust sapphire as well as a double anti-reflective coating, which you would rather expect from representatives whose price is far above that of the Ocean Star GMT. On the wrist, this makes an immensely high-quality impression. However, the double anti-reflective watch glass becomes essentially helpful under water, where you can still read the time optimally despite light reflections and shadows. Thanks to the use of sapphire, the glass also protects the dial from pressure and shocks.
Spiking allowed!
The fluting of the bezel is picked up by the crown in the same design. Mido installs a common screw-down winding crown, whose dimensions match those of the Mido Ocean Star GMT. With a fairly decent width, it remains flat and completely disappears in position one under the useful crown protector that protrudes from the case. In everyday use, this leads to significantly more wearing comfort. Operation is pleasantly simple and accurate. There are three different positions. The first one is particularly useful. Here, the local time can only be set via the hour hand. Minute and second time remain untouched. They don’t change in the different time zones anyway.
To set the GMT time, you have to know which time zone you are in. Mido has come up with an original idea at this point and made the good old cheat sheet presentable again. On the case, you’ll find all the time zones in a circle and in the correct order with indicated time difference compared to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Pretty handy when you’re traveling. A quick glance at the back of his timepiece is all it takes. New York was again – oh yes, six hours back. Simple as it is ingenious.
Mido specifies the water resistance up to 200 meters depth. That should be more than enough for 99.5% of us.
Enduring like no other movement: the Caliber 80
The Caliber 80 is an automatic movement with GMT function and an outstanding power reserve. It is based on an ETA C07.661 automatic caliber. Like Mido, the Swiss manufacture belongs to the Swatch Group, which is why its use in a wide variety of watches of the group brands is almost logical. In the GMT version, the caliber actually has a power reserve of 80 hours, which puts the competition in the shade. This is achieved by a reduced balance frequency.
What’s the point of 80 hours of power reserve? Certainly not too much to those who wear the watch as a daily rocker. However, those who own a larger watch collection and only wear the watch every few days will not need to rewind and reset it every time. Qualitatively, the movement is on the highest level. Even at the end of the power reserve, the accuracy is still very good. The quality of the movement is tested by the Official Swiss Chronometer Control Center, COSC.
The dial – diver and GMT in one.
“Mido’s Ocean Star GMT is more of a diver’s watch with GMT function than a GMT watch”. Keep this thought in mind when you look at the dial of the watch. At first glance, it looks quite tidy and easy to read. Very present are the thick line indices, which are polished and filled with luminous material. How you would recognize a Mido even without writing? By the square double indices at 12 and 6 o’clock. Hour and minute hands have the same design. At 3 o’clock, there’s a date window.
The GMT theme, on the other hand, is extremely restrained. Not even a lettering can be found. Nevertheless, there is an orientation. All Mido-typical orange indices show the world time. The 24 hour ring of the GMT time is neatly imprinted on the rehaut. This is matched by the skeletonized GMT hand, which wanders along the ring and shows the 24-hour home time. So, among other things, the Mido Ocean Star GMT is a watch with a useful GMT function. However, first and foremost, the dial is made for the demands of divers.
Stainless steel for any occasion
The Mido Ocean Star GMT is topped off by an elegant stainless steel bracelet that takes away a bit of the sporty, functional character of the watch and gives it more elegance instead. As befits a good diver, the bracelet has a deployant clasp. Mido has equipped this with a dive extension, which means the watch will fit over any wetsuit. The comfort on the wrist during my test time was exceedingly good.
My conclusion about the Mido Ocean Star GMT
Mido did not disappoint me with its second watch, quite the opposite. The Mido Ocean Star GMT is a more than solid diver’s watch, which knows how to convince with its various strengths. Especially the choice of materials with double anti-reflective sapphire crystal, a stainless steel case as well as a high-quality dial can convince. Swiss workmanship quality is also noticeable. The caliber 80 with its far above-average power reserve is extremely useful if you don’t want to wear the watch every day.
At the same time, the Mido Ocean Star GMT is actually called to be a real daily rocker on the wrist. Visually, the Swiss watch leaves a confident, elegant and sporty impression. And GMT is something the addition to the Ocean Star collection can do on the side, without letting the GMT theme take over in the design.
One of the most amazing things, however, is the price-performance ratio. Mido charges just 1250 US dollar for the watch. The competition charges considerably more for this quality. If you don’t like the color design with the reference number M026.629.11.051.01, you should definitely take a look at the alternatives. Three more designs can be discovered on the homepage.
