“Hot damn, that’s pricey! Is Mido mad?!”
Are they, though? ARE THEY?! But seriously, before you dismiss Mido, consider this. How often is it that you come across a diver’s watch that’s ISO 6425 and COSC-certified, is water resistant to 600 m, comes equipped with a helium valve and ceramic bezel, etc.? All for less than RM7,000?
Not often, right? Yeah, thought so. I reckon that speaks volumes of Mido’s confidence in their own products. It’s always a tough job to price your watches close to other manufacturers that appear to have more… “brand cachet.” In doing so, the folks at Mido gotta’ be sure that they’re really offering a solid piece for what they’re charging otherwise…
The divers aren’t the only ones getting their Malaysian premiere, though. Alongside the Ocean Star Diver 600, Mido has also introduced the Multifort Chronometer¹ in the country as part of their ‘Most Superlative Timepieces’ launch event. Fans of the brand will know the Multifort lineup is one of the most recognizable collections so the addition of the Caliber 80 Si for the first time in said lineup is sure to rejuvenate interest levels once again.
Now, for the nitty-gritty.
Mido Ocean Star Diver 600
As of now, there are only two variants within the Diver 600 subcollection – the reference M026.608.11.041.00 and M026.608.37.051.00, both priced at RM6,850.
Inside both variants beats the Caliber 80 Si movement which features a silicon balance spring for higher anti-magnetic properties, better accuracy and impact-resistance. Elsewhere, the COSC-certified, 25-jeweled movement (-4/+6 secs/day) has a power reserve of 80 hours and ticks at 3 Hz (21,600 vph). Water resistance is, as mentioned, quoted at 600 m (1,968 ft).
Unlike its Ocean Star brethren, the Ocean Star Diver 600 models appear to only have a date complication as opposed to the day-date combo. Dimensions are as expected of a diver with a diameter of 43.5 mm and a thickness of 14.05 mm. Lug width is 22 mm and with this being a diver, it’s screw down everything (caseback and crown). The closed caseback features the Ocean Star starfish motif along with some spec figures.
“So, only looks separates these two?”
Looks like it, yes. With both variants equipped with the Caliber 80 Si, choosing between the Ocean Star Diver 600s is mostly down to personal preference. With the M026.608.11.041.00, you get a stainless steel case and a bracelet with paired to a “graduated” blue dial with a blue ceramic insert on the unidirectional rotating bezel. Said bezel features engraved numerals with SuperLuminova Grade X. The diamond-cut hands and applied indices are coated with the same white lume as the bezel.
Opt for the M026.608.37.051.00 instead and you’ll get a black DLC-treated, satin-finished steel case with a black rubber strap. The dial is an all-black affair with a hint of orange from the seconds hand and the ‘Chronometer Si’ text. The sapphire crystal features AR coating on both sides. Also, a small incision at the 9 o’clock side of the case allows any trapped moisture under the bezel to leak out, reducing the chances of corrosion.
“What if I want something… less sporty?”
Then get the Mido Multifort Chronometer¹. Which one? Yeah, that’s gonna’ be a tougher question to answer as there are a total of 7 Multifort Chronometer¹ models to choose from. Priced from RM4,800 to RM5,590, all 7 have the same Caliber 80 Si movement so choosing one is, once again, down to your personal preference.
Since all of them have the same movement as the Ocean Star Diver 600s, I’ll skip the tech specs. The more obvious difference this time around is that the Multiforts have a day-date combo and a transparent caseback over the divers.
Case diameter of all 7 models are measured at 42 mm with a thickness of 11.79 mm. Lug width is 22 mm while water resistance is quoted at 100 m. Elsewhere, a screw-down crown and a domed sapphire crystal with AR coating on both sides are standard across the Multifort Chronometer¹ range.
All models are equipped with diamond-cut, triple-faceted hour and minute hands with applied indices coated in beige/black SuperLuminova lume.
Mido Multifort Chronometer¹ Reference Breakdown
- M038.431.16.031.00 – Priced at RM4,800. Stainless steel case with black leather strap. White dial.
- M038.431.11.031.00 – Priced at RM5,060. Stainless steel case with bracelet. White dial.
- M038.431.11.061.00 – Priced at RM5,060. Stainless steel case with bracelet. Anthracite dial.
- M038.431.36.031.00 – Priced at RM5,230. Rose gold PVD-treated stainless steel case with brown leather strap. White dial.
- M038.431.37.051.00 – Priced at RM5,410. Black PVD-treated stainless steel case with black rubber strap with fabric insert. Black dial.
- M038.431.37.051.09 – Priced at RM5,410. Black PVD-treated stainless steel case with beige rubber strap with fabric insert. Black dial.
- M038.431.22.031.00 – Priced at RM5,590. Rose gold PVD-treated stainless steel case with rose gold PVD-treated steel bracelet. White dial.
“What about the other tasty-looking Ocean Stars?”
Ah, yes. The two new Ocean Star variants (M026.430.36.091.00 and M026.430.36.041.00) join the collection in a bid to spruce up the lineup. The twins are equipped with the Caliber 80 that boasts a power reserve of 80 hours. However, this isn’t the same movement as the Ocean Star Diver 600s, so water resistance is capped at 200 m.
Moving on, the pink gold PVD-treated stainless steel case on both models measure 42.5 mm in diameter and is 11.75 mm thick. Lug width is 22 mm while a screw-down crown, a solid caseback and a sapphire crystal with double-sided AR coating are standard on both variants.
Like the Ocean Star Diver 600 models, the differences are mostly in the looks department. In the case of the M026.430.36.091.00, you get a green, grained dial that’s paired to a brown leather strap. The unidirectional aluminium bezel features the same colour scheme as the dial.
If you want a flashier variant, check out the M026.430.36.041.00. Here, you get a deep blue, grained dial paired to a blue fabric strap. On the 12 o’clock mark of the bezel, a single white SuperLuminova pip is to be found. Elsewhere, the skeletonised hour and minute hands along with the applied indices feature a generous spread of lume while the seconds hand features a small orange needle with the same lume application.
Finally, both variants are priced at RM3,930.
