By Brent Robillard
Breaking the Internet
There has been plenty of deserved attention paid to the new Longines HydroConquest this year. The design, the proportions, and particularly the pricing have given us a lot to talk about. Having spent some time with the Mido Ocean Star 200, though, I have a question: how has this thing not broken the Internet?
At C$1,190, or US$980, the blue model on bracelet comes in at less than half the US$2,200 asking price of the new HydroConquest on steel. That is a sizeable gap between two Swiss automatic divers. And once the Mido is on your wrist, it becomes increasingly difficult to understand why it isn’t getting more attention.
At C$1,190, or US$980, the blue model on bracelet comes in at less than half the US$2,200 asking price of the new HydroConquest on steel. That is a sizeable gap between two Swiss automatic divers. And once the Mido is on your wrist, it becomes increasingly difficult to understand why it isn’t getting more attention.
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Key Features of the Mido Ocean Star 200
We had the blue version in for review, one of four colourways in the collection. It combines a textured dial with faceted hands and indices, a slim steel case, and an automatic movement offering up to 80 hours of power reserve. That is a persuasive starting point. The part I enjoyed most, however, was how familiar it felt.
I own an Omega Seamaster Professional 2531.80, and the Ocean Star 200 wears very much like it. Their proportions are close enough that the comparison came naturally. At 41 mm across and 11.7 mm thick, the Mido occupies that comfortable patch of territory where a diver has some presence without becoming a cumbersome thing to wear. I have a soft spot for watches that get this balance right. The Seamaster has probably spoiled me.
Bracelet and case finishing
The bracelet helps. Its taper makes the whole package feel less substantial on the wrist than the diameter might suggest. There is enough watch here to satisfy my affection for a proper steel diver, while the relatively thin case keeps everything manageable. Anyone who has spent time comparing dive watches will know that a millimetre or two in thickness can change the conversation quite a bit.
Mido uses a combination of satin and polished finishes on the 316L stainless steel case. It suits the watch’s everyday versatility, giving the surfaces some definition without asking the dial to do all the work. There is a screw-down crown, 200 metres of water resistance, and a unidirectional rotating bezel. Those are sensible provisions for a watch likely to spend a good deal of its life out of the water, with the occasional opportunity to earn its keep in it.
Dial
The dial is where things get particularly enjoyable. Blue is hardly an unexpected choice for a dive watch, but the textured surface gives this one something to look at beyond the colour itself. Against that background, the faceted hands and indices are beautiful. They are the sort of details that encourage a second glance after you have already read the time.
I think this is where the Ocean Star makes its strongest case visually. The hands have shape and the markers have dimension. Those little changes of angle give the display more life than a straightforward specification sheet can communicate. There is care in the execution, and it contributes a great deal to the impression the watch makes on the wrist.
White Super-LumiNova fills the hands and hour markers, while the sapphire crystal receives antireflective treatment on both sides. A day-date display at three o’clock adds some useful information. The orange accents on the seconds hand and the Caliber 80 text provide a small splash of contrast against the blue. It is an easy combination to like, especially in a watch with such a practical layout.
Calibre 80
Inside is Mido’s Caliber 80, and the name gives away its headline attraction. Up to 80 hours of running time is a monster reserve at this price. For those of us who rotate through several watches, that has a very ordinary and very welcome benefit: you can put it down for a couple of days and return to a watch that is still running. Fully wound on Friday evening, it should comfortably carry through to Monday morning.
The movement also uses a Nivachron balance spring. This titanium-based alloy helps reduce the effects of magnetic fields and improves resistance to everyday shocks. Between that and the long reserve, there is plenty of useful substance behind the Caliber 80 name. It is a solid movement choice for the job, and a large part of the value here.
Druthers
My one complaint is a small one. If I had my druthers, the bracelet’s polished centre links would be brushed. I tend to prefer a more utilitarian finish on a diver, and an entirely brushed bracelet would suit my taste a little better. Of course, the polish also connects neatly with the brighter elements of the case and dial. I can understand the decision even while mentally reaching for a different finish.
That thought passes quickly. The taper matters much more to me in actual wear, and the folding clasp includes a safety lock, double push-buttons, and a diver extension. The lug spacing is 21 mm, something to keep in mind if you plan to explore straps. As delivered, though, the bracelet is an important part of why this watch wears so well.
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Specs
| Case | 316L stainless steel 41mm Diameter 11.7mm Thick 21mm Lugs Unidirectional Bezel 200m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Sapphire Crystal Textured Dial Applied Markers Modified Sword Hands Super-LumiNova |
| Movement | Calibre 80 25 Jewels 21,600vph/3Hz 80-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | Stainless Steel with Ratcheting Clasp |
Mido Ocean star 200
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Final Thoughts
The HydroConquest deserves its place in the conversation. Its ceramic bezel, 300-metre water resistance, and clasp with micro-adjustment help explain some of the additional spend. There is room to appreciate both watches on their own terms. What surprises me is how much enjoyment the Mido delivers for its asking price. For this reason, we placed it on our Best Dive Watches Under $1K.
I kept coming back to the proportions, the handsome dial furniture, and that generous power reserve. These are things I would appreciate regardless of what was printed on the price tag. Finding them together at C$1,190 makes the Ocean Star 200 especially easy to recommend. I would still brush those centre links. Otherwise, it is worth every penny.
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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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