Mido watches reached the big century milestone this year and that they have been able to stay current for so long is testament to their commitment to keeping up with the changes in technology. In Mido watches we see the epitome of Swiss craftsmanship and the value given to keeping the most accurate time. The Mido watchmakers hold dear the values of architectural design which we see in the high quality mechanical movements and innovative technological advances. The Ocean Star Captain V M026.430.44.061.00 embodies all of these values and on top of that is a pleasure to look at.
Case and Bezel
This diver has a really good look to it and it is also quite comfortable. The bezel is a black brushed finish with the number markings, used to track time under the hour, around the edges in orange. The orange markers on the black background grab your attention and complement each other well. At about 42mm in diameter it doesn’t sit too large on the wrist and since the engine driving the watch is mechanical it does come in a bit more on the thicker side. The thickness shouldn’t be a cause for concern because this timepiece is set in titanium which makes it a bit lighter and easier to wear and dive watches are generally a little bit thicker than this model. The titanium case does tend to pick up marks a little bit easier but the brush finish on the case and band would likely keep it looking good even after picking up some marks.
The back of the case is screwed down with the ocean star emblem embossed on the back. They could have put a little more effort into the emblem but this wouldn’t be a deal breaker in my opinion. The watch has a water resistant rating of 200m which you also find stamped on the back. The crown is nestled between two protective pieces of the casing and has the Mido name etched in to the top. It is a subtle addition to the overall elegance of the case and its aesthetics.
The sapphire crystal glass covering the dial is treated on both sides for anti-reflection which increases its effectiveness at reducing the glare. This ensures reliable readability and great aesthetics.
Captain Dial
The dial on the Ocean Star Captain is quite a special part of this watch. The matte finish gives the dial an elegant look and feel. The orange on black combination is always a crowd pleaser and the watchmakers here have managed to use that pairing well without getting carried away. The white polished emblems look good on the matte background and watch hands are skeleton styled. The hands and markers on the dial are luminous and are large enough to make them easily visible.
The Mido brand logo is on the top of the dial at 12 o’clock. The Ocean Star name and the Caliber 80 stamp is just above the 6 o’clock. The Caliber 80 is a special bit of machinery that we will chat about a little bit later on. The day and date feature can be found at 3 o’clock and while it can be useful for long diving trips it is more of a novelty than anything else.
Adjustable Clasp and Caliber 80
The value of technology to Mido has been alluded to briefly a little earlier and now we get to spend some time on one of the examples of this. The 25 jewel Caliber 80 automatic mechanism keeps this timepiece ticking with the highest accuracy consistently. It also boasts an 80 hour power reserve. The Caliber 80 uses a silicone balance-spring which contributes to the precision of the mechanism and gives the timepiece a better shock-resistance.
Another feature that the Mido craftsman added to this already functional device is the adjustable clasp. It may seem unimportant but this is a truly functional addition and shows the commitment made to their customers.
Final Thoughts
If you are a fan of divers then this will make an excellent addition to any collection. This timepiece is light for a diver and not overbearing in size which means that it will also serve as an everyday companion. The Ocean Star Captain V M026.430.44.061.00 is a stand out watch in terms of looks and functionality. The use of titanium is effective in keeping the weight and cost down but does sacrifice its scratch resistance. The only thing that could have changed might’ve been the use of a ceramic bezel but the titanium keeps consistency and allows for cost to be managed.
The round edges on the band are polished and give the watch a classy finish. For the price it comes in at this watch is worth every penny and searching for something that offers similar functionality will certainly costs you a little bit more.
Hello I don’t think this model of the ocean star has the silicone based spring. That is for the Mido Ocean Star 600.