Hands review of the Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 Limited Edition, a 2021 diver's watch with a price of €1,150/$1,250 M026.807.11.031.00
The original Mido deep diver timepiece from 1961
We recently had the opportunity to put our hands on this new model and we are now able to share more live pictures and details.
The element of the Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 that immediately catches the eye is the colourful dial with a decompression scale that we will describe more in detail later in the article.
This dial is housed in a 40.5 mm x 13.4 mm case crafted from polished stainless steel and equipped with a unidirectional rotating bezel featuring a turquoise aluminium ring that allows the wearer to calculate diving time or decompression stops.
Protected by two guards and decorated with the original Mido logo, the crown is screwed for improved water resistance, guaranteed up to a pressure of 20 bar (approximately 200 metres /660 feet).
Under the anti-reflective box-shaped sapphire crystal reminiscent of the domed plexiglass of the past but less prone to scratches, the silvered white dial of the new Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 reproduces the bright colours of the original decompression scale already used in the 1960s.
The depths are indicated at 12 o’clock in metres/feet and represented by 4 coloured circles:
- yellow for dives between 25mt / 80ft and 29mt / 94ft;
- green for dives between 30mt / 95ft and 34mt / 109ft;
- pink for dives between 35mt / 110ft and 39mt / 129ft;
- blue for dives between 40mt / 130ft and 44mt / 149ft.
Depths beyond 149 feet have not been included because, at greater depths, the danger of "divers' narcosis" exists.
On each of the four different coloured depth circles you see numerals, beginning with "0" and increasing as you read clockwise around the circle. The amount of time from 12 o'clock on the dial to the "0" on each coloured circle is referred to as "clean time" - or time not requiring decompression. The numerals following "0" on the coloured circles indicate decompression periods which the diver must observe in relation to the time he has spent under water and the depth he has reached.
By simply placing the minute hand at 12 o’clock before a dive, the wearer could read off the information on the table during immersion. The length of decompression is indicated by the minute hand which cuts across the circle to be considered.
As an example, take the blue 40 metres / 130 feet circle. You can see that the first numeral on the circle, the "0", is positioned in correspondence to the 10 minute marker on the dial. This means that you can remain at 40 metres / 130 feet for 10 minutes without requiring decompression. If you remain at this depth longer than 10 minutes, you must pause for decompression before emerging. The amount of time required for decompression depends upon how long you overstay these first 10 minutes and can be read clockwise in the circle.
The flat diamond-cut hour and minute hands as well as the polished indexes are treated with Super-LumiNova coating that glows in green in the dark.
The dial is completed by the trapezoidal date aperture at 3 o'clock and the original Mido logo, applied and polished.
The solid caseback is engraved with the Mido starfish, a symbol of the Swiss watchmaker’s expertise in water-resistance, together with the individual number of each piece.
The movement of choice is the self-winding Mido Caliber 80 (base ETA C07.621) that guarantees a power reserve of 80 hours. This finely decorated Elaboré-grade movement beats at the frequency of 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour).
Delivered in a special box, the Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 comes with three interchangeable straps equipped with bars with spur system for quick changes: a braided polished stainless steel with brushed clasp with original Mido logo and safety catch, a turquoise fabric strap with leather appliqué, 4 stitches recalling the 4 coloured circles on the dial and polished pin buckle with the original Mido logo, and a light brown leather strap with a ‘patinated finish’, 4 beige stitches and a polished pin buckle with the original Mido logo.
This new model is available from November 1st in a limited edition of 1961 pieces, a reference to the year in which the original model that inspired this re-edition was introduced.
Attractively priced and a real conversation-starter with its eye-catching dial, the new Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 Limited Edition ref. M026.807.11.031.00 has a retail price of CHF 1,130 / Euro 1,150 / US$ 1,250. midowatches.com
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