Mid-priced mechanicals is a new series that does exactly what it says; showcase a series of mid-priced mechanical watches, rather more expensive than an entry level watch, but then a lot less than one of the high-end mechanicals for which even a second mortgage would fall short.
One of the unsung heroes of the mid-priced mechanicals market is Mido. Each year they develop a great range of new products from dress to sport watches while still maintaining a reasonable price point and, it has to be said, a very low profile, surprisingly so when you consider that it is part of the world’s largest watch manufacture, the Swatch Group.
Founded in 1918 by George Schaeren, the Mido brand began life making a range of art deco inspired watches that featured innovative designs and unique shapes. Mido is a stablemate of such brands as Omega, Tissot and Certina and is today located in Le Locle, Switzerland, where it continues to produce a stylish, yet functional collection of watches for men and women.
These new models will be available from Autumn onwards. They should retail for between £600 to maximum £1,500, or less if you shop around online.
Mido Multifort Two Crowns
The 42mm Multifort Two Crowns is a diver with 200 metres water resistance. It’s not going to leap out at as you in any way obvious, but this watch is inpired by the Sydney Harbour bridge. The timepiece is animated by an elaborate automatic movement visible via the see-through case-back. The 25-jewel movement has a power reserve of 38 hours. It features blued screws, a hallmark of excellent quality, and a decorated oscillating weight with Geneva stripes and engraved with the Mido logo. The anthracite dial offers supreme readability under any light conditions due to the use of white and orange Super-LumiNova on the hands, hour-markers and the rotating flange. An anti-reflecting sapphire crystal, treated on both sides, protects the dial. The 2 o’clock crown is used for adjusting the flange for measuring the immersion time. The 4 o’clock crown is for setting the time and winding.
Other Mido watches that are new for 2013:
Mido Baroncelli Power Reserve
Details of this new watch are sketchy at the moment, as in almost non-existent. But we can confirm that this is the look of the new edition Baroncelli Power Reserve first introduced in 2007. Baroncelli is one of Mido’s major lines and there is plenty of choice within the range for both men and women. With the date at the traditional location of 3-o’clock, one wag has observed that the power reserve inner dial with the railway track outline looks as if it has come down with mumps.
Mido Commander II
Again, nobody gets this, and looking at the watch you can understand why, but apparently, the inspiration for the design of this watch is the Eiffel Tower. I don’t see it at all, but the Commander II is nonetheless part of a popular line-up from Mido. The Commander II is a 40mm wide in steel with a choice of dial styles and silver, grey, and black colours. The watch is powered by a Swiss ETA 2836 day/date automatic movement.
Mido Commander Chronograph Limited Edition
This 42mm watch has been released in celebration of Mido’s 95th anniversary. The Commander Chronograph is produced in a limited edition of just 950. Equipped with an automatic movement, the chronograph is COSC-certified. The black sunray satinated dial is embellished with hints of red, a subtle blend that gives this model its character.
