Mido gives the Ocean Star 200C a high-end forged carbon fibre makeover
Jamie Weiss- Mido has brought carbon composite to the case and dial of the sporty Ocean Star 200C for this limited edition.
- Its bezel is made of scratch-resistant ceramic and graduated accordingly to suit a 200-metre water-resistant diver.
- It’s powered by an ETA-based, chronometer-certified movement with an 80-hour power reserve.
Carbon fibre makes everything cooler: cars, guitars, planes, bikes, boats, watches… Sorry, I don’t make the rules. Carbon fibre is an ideal material to make watches from, actually, because of its high strength-to-weight ratio, scratch and corrosion resistance, and high biocompatibility. But I don’t think I’m being too superficial when I say that watch enthusiasts mostly love carbon fibre watches because of the way they look, as well as carbon fibre’s premium connotation.
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In any case, the limited-edition Mido Ocean Star 200C Carbon is an exciting watch. As the name implies, Mido has taken its stalwart Ocean Star 200C tool watch and reimagined it with a carbon fibre composite case and dial, in addition to its ceramic unidirectional diving bezel. There are more than a few forged carbon fibre watches out there on the market, but surprisingly few with carbon fibre dials. That’s a shame, really: carbon fibre dials are visually stunning, and each is totally unique, just like a meteorite dial.
At 42.5mm in diameter and boasting a relatively uncluttered dial, the Mido Ocean Star 200C Carbon has plenty of carbon on its face to admire. Still, because it’s made from carbon fibre, it’s much lighter than its size might normally suggest, weighing in at only 122 grams including its strap. That’s significantly lighter than the regular steel Ocean Star 200C (190 grams) and slightly lighter than the titanium Ocean Star 200C (130 grams).
Speaking of straps, it comes with two different options: an integrated black rubber number, as well as a black hybrid strap with orange stitching, which matches the watch’s orange minute hand and first bezel quadrant. Quick-release spring bars make it a cinch to swap one out for the other – I personally prefer the hybrid strap, but the integrated rubber also looks pretty stealthy.
Under the hood, the Ocean Star 200C Carbon is powered by a higher-end, COSC-certified, silicon balance spring version of Mido’s ubiquitous Calibre 80 (known elsewhere as the Powermatic 80). It’s pretty hard to argue with its 80-hour power reserve. A black PVD stainless steel screw-down caseback protects the movement, ensuring a 200-metre water-resistance rating.
All in all, this is a pretty compelling package of a watch. A big box Swiss brand, COSC-certified dive watch with a forged carbon fibre case and dial for less than A$4k? Not bad at all. I think Mido has also struck an exceptional balance with its design: on the one hand, it’s easily the sportiest watch in Mido’s catalogue, but they haven’t gone too overboard with it. The Damascus-like swirling of its forged carbon composite case and orange accents are definitely eye-catching, but it remains demure enough not to look out of place out of the water.
Mido Ocean Star 200C Carbon pricing & availability
The Mido Ocean Star 200C Carbon is a limited edition of 888 pieces and is available now in the Time+Tide Shop, either online or in our Melbourne Discovery Studio. Price: A$3,400.
| Brand | Mido |
| Model | Ocean Star 200C Carbon |
| Reference Number | M042.431.77.081.00 |
| Case Dimensions | 42.5mm (D) x 12.3mm (T) x 49.04mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Carbon fibre composite, stainless steel base |
| Water Resistance | 200m, screw-down crown |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Carbon fibre composite |
| Lug Width | 22mm |
| Strap | Black rubber strap with diver’s extension and folding clasp in black PVD steel Additional black hybrid fabric strap with a silicone base, orange stitching and pin buckle with engraved MIDO logo in black PVD steel |
| Movement | Calibre 80 COSC Si, ETA C07.821 base, automatic, COSC |
| Power Reserve | 80 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, day, date, unidirectional diving bezel |
| Availability | Limited edition of 888 pieces |
| Price | A$3,400 |