Following the resounding success of its first reissue of the 1961 Ocean Star Skin Diver Watch in 2020, Mido is presenting a new, eagerly awaited version of its Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961. With a polished 40.5 mm case, a multicoloured scale of decompression stops, a ‘glassbox’-style sapphire crystal and a rotating bezel, the striking codes of the era – among the most sought-after by collectors of Mido timepieces – are brought back to life. The dial of the new Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 is even closer to the original, revealing silvered white tones with a turquoise bezel for an irresistible and refreshing vintage look. The excellent Caliber 80 gives this retro yet modern model a formidable power reserve of up to 80 hours. For keen aesthetes, there are three easily interchangeable straps – in braided polished steel, turquoise fabric and patinated leather – allowing them to switch up how they wear this extraordinary Ocean Star, limited to 1,961 pieces.
Architecture that withstands winds and tides
At Europe’s southernmost tip stands an architectural construction built to withstand any storm, that has unfailingly watched over the Gibraltar Strait since 1841: the Europa Point Lighthouse. Its powerful beam of light helps sailors to find their bearings on the often rough waters between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Created by Mido in 1944, the Ocean Star collection is characterised by its reliability, just like this monument, which was built to safely guide men embarking on new maritime conquests.
1961 – 2021: revival of the first recreational dives
Particularly popular with collectors, the 1961 Ocean Star Skin Diver Watch symbolises an entire era defined by the rise of diving for sport – an activity that was hitherto mainly practised by professionals. To facilitate calculations before and during a dive, the original model indicated the decompression times 6 metres below the surface. These times could be read off very easily as they were displayed on contrasting coloured circles: yellow for a diving depth of 25 to 29 metres, green for 30 to 34 metres, pink for 35 to 39 metres and blue for 40 to 44 metres. By simply placing the minute hand at 12 o’clock before a dive, the wearer could read off the information on the table during immersion. The rotating bezel allowed diving time or decompression stops to be calculated.
In tribute to the original model, Mido reproduces the bright colours of the original table on the silvered white dial of the new Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 – an aesthetic nod that is by no means intended to replace modern diving rules and instruments. The depths are indicated at 12 o’clock in metres and feet. For visibility underwater, Super-LumiNova® adorns the diamond-cut hour and minute hands, as well as the polished indexes. The original Mido logo also features as a polished applied adornment on the silvered white dial, and as an engraving on the case back, crown and strap clasps.
A retro-modern model for connoisseurs
A modern sapphire version of the ‘glassbox’-style crystal – more luxurious and less prone to scratches – reinforces the vintage feel of the Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961. For added radiance, the round 40.5 mm case is crafted from polished durable stainless steel. At 12 o’clock, a large, neutral Super-LumiNova® dot provides a point of reference on the fluted turquoise unidirectional rotating bezel.
Symbolising the Swiss watchmaker’s expertise in water resistance, the Mido starfish is engraved on the stainless steel case back next to the serial number of each piece. The screwed crown and case back further enhance the durability of the watch, which is water-resistant up to 200 metres (20 bar/660 ft), while the Caliber 80 gives it an exceptional autonomy of up to 80 hours.
Available in November and presented in a special box with a limited edition certificate, each of the 1,961 timepieces comes with three elegant straps: a versatile braided steel bracelet, a more classic patinated leather strap, and a sporty turquoise fabric strap adorned with stitching in the colours of the table. A spur system allows for quick and easy strap changes.
With the Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961, enthusiasts and collectors can dive into the exhilarating spirit of the first sports dives of the Sixties
Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 Limited Edition Technical Specifications
Movement
- Automatic Mido Caliber 80 (ETA C07.621 base),
- 11½’’’, Ø25.60 mm, height: 5.22 mm,
- 25 jewels, 21,600 vph.
- Finely decorated Elaboré-grade movement, oscillating weight decorated with Geneva stripes and the Mido logo.
- Functions: HMSD + day.
- Adjusted in 3 different positions for high accuracy.
- Up to 80 hours of power reserve
Case
- Polished stainless steel,
- unidirectional rotating bezel with turquoise aluminium ring,
- large dot in neutral Super-LumiNova® at 12 o’clock,
- Ø40.5 mm,
- 2 pieces,
- box sapphire crystal,
- polished screwed crown with original Mido logo and screwed case back with polished starfish in relief, engraved serial number + limited edition number,
- water-resistant up to a pressure of 20 bar (200 m/660 ft).
Dial
- Silvered white with polished applied indexes adorned with neutral Super-LumiNova®,
- date at 3 o’clock.
- Polished applied original Mido logo.
- Decompression scale represented by 4 coloured circles (yellow, green, pink and blue).
- Hands: Flat diamond-cut hour and minute hands with neutral Super-LumiNova®, flat diamond-cut seconds hand.
Bracelet
- Braided polished stainless steel, brushed clasp with original Mido logo and safety catch.
- Bar with spur system for quick changes.
- Additional strap 1:
- Turquoise fabric with leather appliqué and loops.
- 4 stitches on the case side recalling the 4 coloured circles on the decompression scale on the dial.
- Polished pin buckle stamped with the original Mido logo.
- Bar with spur system for quick changes.
- Additional strap 2:
- Light brown leather with a ‘patinated finish’ and 4 beige stitches on the case side.
- Polished pin buckle stamped with the original Mido logo.
- Bar with spur system for quick changes.
MIDO
Georges Schaeren chose to found Mido on 11 November 1918, on the same day as the Armistice. Since this symbolic date, Mido has continued to look towards the future with confidence, sustained by the visionary strength of its founder. In 2018, the brand celebrated its 100th anniversary by continuing along the path set out by Georges Schaeren and the values that have been an essential part of Mido’s DNA for a century: timeless design, quality materials and technical innovation.
Today, Mido is based in the town of Le Locle in the heart of the Swiss Jura mountains. The name Mido comes from the Spanish “Yo mido”, meaning “I measure”.
Since its inception, Mido’s philosophy has combined innovation, aesthetics and functionality. The brand shares these essential values with some iconic architectural glories from which it draws inspiration for its collections. Cutting‑edge technology, automatic movements renowned for their excellence and high-quality materials are the three pillars on which Mido’s unique expertise rests. In addition, the refined, understated designs of Mido timepieces endow them with a resolutely timeless quality. Beyond fashion and passing trends, Mido watches are thus distinguished by their durability.
For a century, Mido has been a global benchmark in Swiss-made mechanical watches.
Mido watches are available from 2,700 official retailers in 70 countries. The brand is part of the Swatch Group, the world leader in watchmaking.