MIDO Ocean Star GMT Special Edition

Vintage-inspired

As part of the 80th anniversary celebrations for the Ocean Star collection, MIDO has released a Special Edition of the Ocean Star GMT. Unlike the bolder, larger, and more contemporary version launched in 2022, this flyer GMT looks like it sprung from the vintage-inspired Tribute collection. As such, here we see more than just a colourway switch-up, but rather a redesign–more akin to the Limited Edition produced with Hodinkee.

^{MIDO Ocean Star GMT Special Edition @calibre321}

In true MIDO fashion, the Ocean Star GMT Special Edition offers up incredible value with its jumping-hour calibre and diver-level water resistance, making this a travel watch to place on your radar.

Check out the Gavox AviDiver II GMT

Key Features of the MIDO Ocean Star GMT Special Edition

To begin, the Ocean Star GMT Special Edition is a much more refined 40.5mm in diameter with a lug to lug of about 47mm. While certainly smaller than past models, it remains on the thicker side at 13.4mm due to the GMT movement underneath. Nonetheless, it wears well on both the 11-row mesh bracelet and bonus NATO strap–though you may be dismayed to learn that the lug width is a quirky 21mm. The watch is uniformly brushed and slab-sided with a large unprotected crown, providing it with a mid-century skin diver appeal.

Both the crown and the case back are screw down and offer up 200m of water resistance. The aforementioned case back sports an embossed version of the emblematic starfish logo (registered in 1942 before the watch was even produced). Adding to the retro appearance is the boxed-shaped sapphire crystal that provides beautiful dial distortions around the edges.

The dial is a rich (almost purple) blue to match the aluminum bezel insert, and varies greatly in tone with the light. The 24-hour scale we find in the unidirectional bezel is repeated in the chapter ring of the sector-styled dial–essentially making this a triple time zone GMT. One might imagine that a dive bezel would work equally well here in future iterations. The hour markers–inspired by shark’s teeth–have a truncated wedge shape and are larger at six, nine and twelve. There is a date complication at three.

The only other colour beyond blue and white is the red “GMT” text beneath the collection name and the arrow-tipped GMT hand, itself. The dauphine-styled hour hand is paired with a pencil minute indicator, and while the handset and markers have all been treated with Super-LumiNova (including the bezel pip), the needle seconds looks a bit naked. A lollipop might have completed the vintage vibe here and added just a touch of extra functionality.

Under the hood we have the workhorse MIDO Calibre 80, which is a 3Hz movement based on the ETA C07.661. It has an anti-magnetic Nivachron balance spring and, of course, an 80-hour power reserve.

The retro-styled mesh bracelet is equipped with a folding clasp, actuated by a push-button release. It also has a ratcheting dive extension/comfort adjust. The watch comes with an extra fabric NATO strap, as well.

Specs

Case	316L Stainless Steel 40.5mm Diameter 47mm Lug to Lug 13.4mm Thick /w Glass 21mm Lug Width 24-Hour Bezel Screwed Crown & Case back 200m Water Resistance
Dial & Crystal	Domed Sapphire Glass /w AR Glossy Blue Dial Applied Indexes Dauphine Handset Super-LumiNova
Movement	Mido Caliber 80 (ETA C07.661 Base) GMT/Date Nivachron Balance Spring 25 jewels 21, 600bph 80-Hour Power Reserve
Strap	Eleven-row Stainless Mesh /w Folding Clasp & Micro-adjust

^{MIDO Ocean Star GMT Special Edition}

Final Thoughts

The MIDO Ocean Star GMT Special Edition is a value-driven, vintage-inspired design with loads of functionality. With its flyer-style, triple GMT performance and added dive capabilities it would make an excellent travel companion. Little touches like the diamond cut hands and polished marker surrounds–its brushed silver chapter ring and boxed sapphire dome–give the watch an elevated appearance, as well. Quibbles like its funky lug width can be easily overlooked when you consider the quality of the movement, the refined bracelet, and the practical clasp. All in all, it’s a good way to celebrate eighty.

Pricing & Availability

The MIDO Ocean Star GMT Special Edition retails for $1310USD ($1700CAD). For more information, please visit the brand website.

About the author

Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.

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