THE HOME OF WATCH CULTURE

HANDS-ON: The Mido Ocean Star GMT Special Edition is a sporty refresh of the best value Swiss GMT around HANDS-ON: The Mido Ocean Star GMT Special Edition is a sporty refresh of the best value Swiss GMT around

HANDS-ON: The Mido Ocean Star GMT Special Edition is a sporty refresh of the best value Swiss GMT around

Fergus Nash

Special edition watches can celebrate anniversaries, achievements or celebrity tie-ins, but sometimes a special edition can just exist because the watch is special. Mido’s latest reference of the Ocean Star GMT applies the classic Pepsi colour scheme to their flagship travelling diver, injecting it with even more of a sporting attitude than it already had. If you’re looking for an affordable watch with luxury quality and solid functionality, the Mido Ocean Star GMT Special Edition could be your next purchase.

The case

Mido’s approach to a dive watch case is the natural progression from 1960s design into modern heft, with widened lugs, angular crown guards, and sharp polished chamfers to contrast the vertical brushing. The 120-click rotating bezel has thick ridges for gripping with wet fingers, and the navy blue ceramic insert has clear, bold markings that provide legibility without distracting from the dial.

The Ocean Star GMT also knows how to play with dimensions cleverly, achieving its desired visual effect without ruining the wearability. The diameter is a bold 44mm that gives an empowering heft, however the 50mm lug-to-lug length and the sloping profile will conform quite well to the average wrist regardless of how tight you wear your watches. Despite having an automatic movement, 200m of water resistance locked-in by a screw-down crown, and a sapphire crystal, the Mido Ocean Star GMT still manages to come in at a total height of 13.4mm.

The dial

Mido Ocean Star GMT

The Mido Ocean Star GMT has a brilliant way of being decorative and function-forward at the same time, with no unnecessary details to get bogged down in yet plenty of characterful elements. The most notable element of this Special Edition version is the Pepsi colour scheme, with a deep navy blue dial and chapter ring grounding the watch in a sensible sportiness. The bright red of the chapter ring’s daytime section is matched by the tip of the seconds hand, along with the entire GMT hand that’s skeletonised to let through more of that blue.

Mido Ocean Star GMT

The semi-skeletonised hour and minute hands are hard to describe, but their shape and complexity overhauls what could be an otherwise uninspiring look with an injection of sci-fi industrial intrigue. The date window trims into the 3 o’clock hour marker, with the white background balancing the dial symmetry nicely. The amount of text on the dial is well-restrained as well, simply stating “automatic” beneath the Mido logo and “Ocean Star” above the doubled 6 o’clock index.

The straps

Mido Ocean Star GMT

As a special edition, this version of the Mido Ocean Star GMT comes with an extra single-pass NATO strap of exceptional quality. The pin holes are reinforced with blue leather, and the buckle is faceted, brushed, and signed with the Mido logo. The material rides that perfect line between long-term durability and comfort, and the alternating blue, red, and white stripes add a lot of character to the watch. Of course, it also comes with the steel bracelet. With polished centre links and finely brushed outer links, the bracelet is surprisingly refined for what is otherwise a no-nonsense sports watch. Each link is rounded for total comfort, and the clasp with a diving extension is heavy enough to keep the watch balanced. If you want to play around with aftermarket options, the 22mm lug width makes things easy.

The movement

Mido Ocean Star GMT

The Mido Calibre 80 that powers the Ocean Star GMT is based on the ETA C07.661, itself an adaptation of the ever-popular ETA 2824. Slowing the beat rate down to 21,600 vibrations per hour has allowed the power reserve to be extended to a whopping 80 hours, meaning you could wear something else on a weekend and it would still be ticking come Monday morning. There’s no window on the caseback, instead using an engraving of a world timer so that you can quickly set your GMT time without needing to google it.

The Mido Ocean Star GMT Special Edition pricing and availability:

The Mido Ocean Star GMT Special Edition is available now from the Time+Tide store here. Price: $2,100 AUD

Brand Mido
Model Ocean Star GMT Special Edition
Case Dimensions 44mm x 50mm x 13.4mm
Case Material Stainless Steel
Water Resistance 200m
Crystal(s) Sapphire
Dial Blue and red
Lug Width 22mm
Strap Striped NATO and steel bracelet
Movement Mido Calibre 80
Power Reserve 80 hours
Availability Available now from the Time+Tide store
Price $2,100 AUD