In Spanish, mido means "I measure." In 1918, company founder Georges Schaeren selected this name for his new business because he felt it reflected a desire for technical innovation and precise design. Mido's early years coincided with the advent of the automobile industry. It was, therefore, natural that the manufacturer specialized in wristwatches inspired by radiator grills used by early automakers.
One of the Swiss company's earliest successes came in 1934 in the form of the Multifort. This model remains a staple of the Mido catalog to this day. The release of the Ocean Star followed in 1959 and was a smash hit. It features a single-shell case and a crown sealing system that would later become known as the Aquadura. At the time, the Ocean Star was one of the most robust and water-resistant watches on the market. Today, the Ocean Star's direct descendants are found in the Commander collection, while the Ocean Star name has been given to a new series of diving watches.
In honor of the Baroncelli collection's 30th anniversary in 2006, Mido released a new collection of classic, minimalist timepieces inspired by string instruments. The addition of the Belluna collection in 2008 marked Mido's first line of Art Deco watches.
Mido exclusively produces their cases out of high-quality, corrosion-resistant 316L stainless steel. Certain models also receive a PVD coating. The company outfits each timepiece with a proven ETA base caliber that they modify in house. The most common movements are the Mido 60 and Mido 80. The number stands for the movement's power reserve: 60 or 80 hours, respectively. You can find a chronometer-certified version of the caliber 80 with a silicon balance spring in various "Super Precise" Ocean Star and Multifort models.