The Mido Ocean Star 39 watch hands-on

Introduction

We have followed the evolution of the contemporary Ocean Star collection since its launch, and the upcoming 39 mm model is a milestone. If I had to discuss the three-handers, I’d claim that no significant revolution ever occurred along the way.

The 200-meter WR model underwent minor upgrades from generation to generation while preserving its uncluttered style, no-frills design, and attainable all-around sports watch. However, it took many years before the 39 mm was revealed, and I presume Mido took plenty of time to design such a trend-setting size.

A rare mix of vintage and modern

Did you mind the Ocean Star Captain Titanium and its steel siblings when they first appeared? It is still a seasoned yet trendy product. Add some touches here and there, and rest assured it’ll become a hot seller again.

As we wrap up the new Ocean Star 39, we cannot avoid spotting the form and function we experienced in the 1980s.

The lines are simple and recognizable, yet every profile was slimmed down and stretched. Touching the lugs, bracelet, and bezel will show you how the design flows naturally.

The 39 mm size across has a lovely 10.5 mm thickness and a lug-to-lug distance of up to 46 mm. Please don’t get annoyed with the specs sheet; I wrapped this watch around my wrist and can confirm that comfort and functionality are outstanding.

The three-link bracelet is pure elegance. The folding clasp with two safety push buttons and adjustment makes it the ultimate Ocean Star.

Whether you are wrapping it around your wrist or diving suit, rest assured that there is nothing comparable to Mido’s in this product category. So much so that I suggest most competitors look down on the Ocean Star 39 mm and learn the lesson.

It comes standard with a quick-release mechanism, but I suggest not replacing it. The bracelet is perfect and plays a primary role in building the Ocean Star 39 experience.

The dial is brilliant.

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Yet, the new dial design is a head-turner. Mido often introduces unexpected dial designs on its diving watches, some attractive, others less successful.

When a designer is assigned to create a three-hand sports diving watch with a three-link bracelet, he has little room for creativity, and the outcome might be a concept not as outstanding as the effort provided.

An unseen wavy pattern shakes things up, making the watch distinctive and adding a 3D effect. It mimics the sea waves and has a two-tone shade, which extends to the unidirectional turning bezel, adding a lively identity.

The caliber 72

The watch does not house the famed calibre 80, and it is easy to understand why. Equipping the Ocean Star 39 with such a calibre wouldn’t guarantee the expected thickness, downsized from 11.8 mm (Ocean Star 200) to 10.5 mm thanks to the adoption of the calibre 72. That’s much bang for the buck.

Equipped with a Nivachron™ balance spring, it comes standard with the day of the week, enhancing a clean design. Seventy-two hours of power reserve are more than enough; hence, missing eight additional hours is not a deal breaker for what you get.

Final thoughts

The designers and marketing team overperformed with the Ocean Star 39’s launch, and the equation works. Any add-ons? Yes, please release a no-date OS 39. Any further? Make it in grade 5 titanium, too.

The 39 mm Ocean Star is excellent news as we have entered the summer holidays; we’d love to see additional dial combinations anytime soon. We love the elegant black and grey livery and prefer it over the flagship black and blue one, for example.

An Ocean Star 39 keeps retailing for around 1,000 Euros, and we applaud Mido for maintaining its average selling price while every other brand keeps raising its price lists—the steel model pictured above costs 1,190 Euros.

(Photo credit: Horbiter®)

Giovanni Maria Di Biase @Horbiter®