Mido Ocean Star 600 Chronometer 2021 Update

Mido has been a partner of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series since 2019. In September 2021, some of the best divers from around the world (including friend of the brand Alessandro De Rose) leapt into the Adriatic Sea from a platform erected in Polignano a Mare, Puglia. On the occasion of the competition, which we attended, the brand unveiled a new version of its Mido Ocean Star 600 Chronometer (see the past version here) featuring subtle updates but still offered at the same attainable price. Here’s a hands-on look at this robust and no-nonsense modern dive watch.

The origins of the Mido Ocean Star collection date to the 1940s, when the name was registered. Naturally, the first Ocean Star watches had little in common with the modern dive watch it is today, in particular with the 600m water-resistant model, the most technical and sophisticated in the collection. The 600m was presented in 2018 and sits alongside models like the Ocean Star 200 or the cool Decompression Timer.

The 2021 version of the Ocean Star 600 is a subtle evolution featuring minor aesthetic and technical updates. Overall, the case is identical to the previous version with the same dimensions. This 43.5mm x 14.05mm stainless steel case feels robust and well executed. A pair of crown guards flank the screw-down crown. The large unidirectional bezel operates sharply and is fitted with a blue ceramic insert. The knurling ensures a good grip, and as a safety feature, it must be pressed down to enable rotation to avoid any unintentional adjustment.

The screw-down caseback is engraved with a polished starfish in relief, and the two-piece case is equipped with a helium valve at 9 o’clock. The water-resistance is rated 60 ATM or 600m. Two imperceptible technical upgrades are the slightly more rigid caseback and stronger bracelet attachment.

The sapphire crystal features a double-sided anti-reflective coating to increase contrast and legibility. The dial design has subtly evolved compared to the previous versions with an even more “classic” layout. On the deep blue gradient dial, the hour markers are now round and rectangular, with a large triangle at 12 o’clock. As you would expect for a professional dive watch, luminescent material (white Super-LumiNova Grade X) is used for all indications on the indexes, on the hands and on the bezel. The brand’s logo is applied in relief, and the date is displayed via a small window at 3 o’clock. Two lines of text are now transferred at 6 instead of 3 o’clock: Ocean Star 600 / Chronometer. Last, the hands have been updated, in particular with a lollipop seconds hand and partially skeletonized hour and minute hands.

The Mido Ocean Star 600 Chronometer is still powered by the automatic Mido Calibre 80 COSC Si. Also named ETA C07.821, it is the evolution of the tried-and-tested ETA 2824 with a beefed-up 80-hour power reserve, which is only used by Swatch Group’s accessible luxury brands. This COSC-certified movement is 25.60mm in diameter, runs at 21,600vph and is fitted with an anti-magnetic silicon hairspring.

The Mido Ocean Star 600 Chronometer is equipped with a three-link stainless steel bracelet with polished central links for a more luxurious feel. It features a safety folding buckle with a diving extension if you need a little more room around the wrist or want to wear the watch over a wetsuit. On the wrist, this 43.5mm watch with its heavy-duty depth rating is not small by any means, but it wears quite comfortably.

A pragmatic, classically designed dive watch, the Mido Ocean Star 600 Chronometer offers everything you need in a robust diver. This no-nonsense tool watch is built to do the job… and it does it well! The overall build quality and the 80-hour power reserve movement score highly for reliability and price. Indeed, the watch comes at an equally pragmatic EUR 1,490, USD 1,700 or CHF 1,590. It is also available with a classic black dial and bezel combination.

For more details and online orders, please visit www.midowatches.com.