Finally, some good news from Mido for 2020!
Yes, yes, we know. Year 2020 has been horrible for most of us around the world but Mido has good news…
Now, while there is no denying that things are looking pretty bleak for humanity, we’ve decided that we’re gonna’ keep our heads up and be grateful for the little things. After all, if the world does end in 2020, I wanna’ go with a smile on my face. To help, Mido has unveiled a frankly exhaustive list of its 2020 Novelties for all of us to ogle at. For the ones in the envious position to do so, please spur the economy on and buy one (or two). We’ll all be very grateful.
So without further ado, here’s what Mido has in store for all of us this year. Do keep in mind that there are some models under an embargo so we’ll cover the ones released up till May this year, alright?
The Commander Shade in black PVD (ref. no M8429.3.25.11)
I’m gonna’ start off with one of my personal favourites, the Mido Commander Shade in black PVD. If this one looks familiar, that’s because the regular variant (non-PVD) has been on sale for over a year now. For 2020 however, the novelty (heh!) behind this variant is the aforementioned PVD treatment. If your Granddad says it looks familiar, that’s because he’s right. This design can trace its lineage way back to July 1959 with the debut of the Mido Ocean Star Commander.
The combination of the monocoque case, the pressure fitted crystal and lugless design all began with this particular model. Fast forward several decades later, and we’re staring at a 37 mm beauty with a two-tone dial that possesses the most entrancing blue-black gradated finish. Unlike the original, the new variant comes on a 20 mm Milanese mesh steel bracelet that’s also been given the black PVD treatment. I’m usually not a big fan of black-on-black watches but the gradated dial of this Commander Shade gives off just the right amount of contrast to make the whole thing pop without being visually overwhelming.
Within the monocoque case lies Mido’s Caliber 80. Already a staple in most of its other watches, the ETA C07.621-based, 25-jeweled movement provides an impressive 80-hour power reserve and ticks at a decent 3 Hz (21,600 bph). A day-date function is present beneath that acrylic crystal and water resistance is quoted at 50 m. Last but not least, the 2020 Mido Commander Shade in black PVD is priced at RM3,690.
The Mido Commander Gradient (ref. no M021.407.37.411.00, M021.407.11.411.00, M021.407.33.411.00, M021.407.36.411.00)
Next, we have the Mido Commander Gradient. Nay, make that four Commander Gradients! As you can tell, the highlight is the gradated “smoky effect” of the domed sapphire crystal that’s fully transparent in the centre and transitions outwards to an opaque shade. Mido refuses to call it a skeleton watch and they’re right. You can’t see the entire inner workings of the watch even though it has an exhibition caseback. Of the four, the hero variant (ref. no M021.407.37.411.00) is probably the most visually enticing one.
The orange Super-LumiNova and seconds hand combine with the black leather-fabric hybrid strap (with orange stitching) and black PVD-coated case to give it a very sporty, showy vibe. The other black PVD-coated case (ref. no M021.407.33.411.00) is more muted. It comes on a steel bracelet with the same treatment and has neutral, light green Super-LumiNova instead of orange accents. Prices are RM3,930 and RM4,360, respectively.
Elsewhere, there’s a variant that comes in a regular stainless steel case with a stainless steel bracelet (ref. no M021.407.11.411.00) that’s priced at RM3,750 and another one with a rose gold PVD-treated case and black leather strap (ref. no M021.407.36.411.00) for RM3,930. By the way, the lug width is a mildly frustrating 21 mm.
As expected, the differences between all four are purely aesthetics with technical specifications remaining identical across the board. They are, however, pretty impressive. Within the 40 mm case beats the Caliber 80. The difference here is that Mido has chosen the Élaboré-grade ETA C07 as the base movement to power the Commander Gradient. The 25-jeweled movement beats at a rate of 3 Hz, offers 80 hours of power and has a “simple” date complication. The latter is a pretty standard feature made interesting because of that slight transparency of the crystal. Call me easily impressed but you can’t doubt that added ‘Wow!’ factor when you can literally see the date disc making its rotation as the days go by. Water resistance is more than enough for everyday wear with a rating of 50 m.
The Multifort Chronometer¹ (ref. no M038.431.11.041.00, M038.431.21.061.00)
Moving on, we now have two new variants of the Multifort Chronometer¹ for 2020. Launched in early 2019, the Chronometer¹ was known for its COSC-certified Caliber 80. The movement boasts a silicon balance spring which not only aids in improving its magnetic resistance but also shock resistance. The 25-jeweled calibre beats at a rate of 3 Hz and has a power reserve of 80 hours while water resistance is quoted at 100 m. Internally, it’s the same watch as the one launched a year ago.
For 2020, Mido has decided to spruce up the collection with two new looks – a blue-dialed version that goes for RM5,060 and an anthracite-dialed variant with a rose gold PVD-treated bezel that’s priced at RM5,430. For those who aren’t too familiar with this model, the Multifort Chronometer¹ comes with a 42 mm case that has a lug width of 22 mm. A screwed-down crown, an exhibition caseback and a sapphire crystal with AR (anti-reflective) treatment on both sides are standard across the model range.
The Mido Baroncelli Heritage (ref. no M027.407.33.050.00)
I don’t know about you but Mido seems to be on a roll with their PVD-coated offerings. As I’m writing this, I’ve lost count of the times I’ve mentioned ‘PVD’ but if it works, then who am I to judge, right? In any case, this one’s quite interesting because I don’t think you’d ever relate PVD to a dress watch. That hasn’t stopped Mido from trying as they’ve introduced an all-black, PVD-coated version of the Baroncelli Heritage for 2020. This one’s priced at RM4,880.
As for its internals, the Caliber 80… does not make an appearance here. Instead, we get the 21-jeweled Caliber 1192 (based off the ETA 2892-A2) with 42 hours of reserve. The beat rate for this one higher than the Cal 80 at 4 Hz, though. Perhaps the most attractive part of the watch besides its textured, grained dial is its thickness. At only 7.25 mm, the Baroncelli Heritage will really slide under the cuff without a problem.
The 5-link stainless steel bracelet also gets the same PVD-coated treatment for that fully-blacked out look. Legibility isn’t a major issue though thanks to its contrasting, faceted dauphine hands in silver. The case itself measures in at a decent 39 mm with lug widths set at 20 mm. Meanwhile, water resistance is quoted at 30 m.
The Baroncelli Big Date Limited Edition (ref. no M027.426.36.043.00)
The other 2020 addition to the gent’s Baroncelli line-up is a limited edition Big Date model. Limited to 2,020 pieces (I see what you did there, Mido), the Big Date is priced at RM4,450. Where it differs from its non-limited siblings lies mainly in the aesthetics department. Aside from that deep blue sun ray dial, the LE also replaces the baton hour markers with applied Roman numerals. I particularly like the ‘Limited Edition’ script running across the bottom half of the dial. I think it’s hilariously obvious and depending on where you stand on the humor scale, could be downright vulgar or amusing.
A blue leather strap with a rose gold PVD-treated clasp further sets it apart from the rest of the range. Within its 40 mm rose gold PVD-treated case beats a modified Caliber 80. The modifications are, obviously, related to the inclusion of the big date display at 6 o’clock. Tech specs include a power reserve of 80 hours, a lug width of 20 mm, water resistance of up to 30 m and sapphire crystal with double-sided AR treatment.
The Mido Baroncelli Lady Day (ref. no M039.207.11.106.00)
Last but not least, we arrive at Mido’s 2020 offerings for the fairer sex. A total of 4 new variants are introduced in the Baroncelli women’s line-up but we only managed to snag a personal viewing of the Baroncelli Lady Day with a blue-tinted mother of pearl dial. This variant is paired with a five-link stainless bracelet but there’s another with a black leather strap and a rose gold case. I personally prefer this look, mind you.
The stainless steel case measures just 33 mm with 16 mm lugs and stands at 9.89 mm high. Mido has included a double-sided AR sapphire crystal and an exhibition caseback while the case is water resistant to a max depth of 50 m. Within it beats the Caliber 80, a 25-jeweled movement beating at 3 Hz that has a power reserve of 80 hours. As impressive as that calibre is, the main attraction here is the dial.
As mentioned, a blue-tinted mother of pearl dial takes centre stage and is encircled by 3 diamonds set at the 12, 3 and 9 o’clock position as hour markers. Each diamond weighs 0.051 carats. The date window is now at the 6 o’clock position for improved symmetry. As for the other hour markers, they’re made up of applied indices. The price? A cool RM3,790.
“Phew! That was quite a list!”
And remember what I mentioned earlier on? We’re not quite done yet. While I was fortunate enough to get my hands on more of Mido’s 2020 releases, it’s only fair to respect their product timeline and not reveal their entire arsenal just yet. Watch this space over the next few months to see what else they have in store for you…
Hint, one of them is a reissue and it’s REALLY colourful.