{"id":30262,"date":"2021-09-30T10:58:35","date_gmt":"2021-09-30T10:58:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.horbiter.com\/?p=30262"},"modified":"2021-11-17T22:03:12","modified_gmt":"2021-11-17T22:03:12","slug":"mido-ocean-star-decompression-timer-1961-limited-edition-watch-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.horbiter.com\/en\/mido-ocean-star-decompression-timer-1961-limited-edition-watch-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"The Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 Limited Edition watch hands-on"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a>Introduction<\/h2>\n

The\u00a0Mido Decompression Timer<\/strong><\/a>\u2018s first edition sold out quickly, and its market price is on average twice as much as retail, according to the most visited watch marketplaces.<\/p>\n

\"mido-ocean-star-decompression-timer-1961-limited-edition-3\"<\/p>\n

Its success is, in my opinion, explained by a rare combination of a vintage diver\u2019s legacy, a stand-out and funky design and a price point so affordable that the hype around the timepiece has gone far beyond the watch community\u2019s.<\/p>\n

<\/a>There you have it: the 2021 edition<\/h2>\n

Mido<\/strong>\u00a0builds on the first series\u2019s staggering success, and the\u00a02021 release<\/strong>\u00a0offers a second chance to those craving the\u00a0\u201claunch edition\u201d<\/em>. The truth is that the market demand-to-product availability was unbalanced. The\u00a0Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 Limited Edition<\/strong>\u00a0takes the nostalgia effect to full potential and mimics the original\u00a0Decompression Timer<\/strong>\u00a0as closely as possible. The white dial is bright and super legible, and the turquoise bezel is a vivid touch while clashing with the original\u2019s whose design was in full steel; in contrast, the\u00a02020 Decompression Timer<\/strong>\u2018s black dial and bezel turned the\u00a0Mido<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cRainbow\u201d<\/em>\u00a0into kind of too classic timepiece, afar from its pedigree.<\/p>\n

\"mido-ocean-star-decompression-timer-1961-limited-edition\"<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 Limited Edition 2021<\/strong>\u00a0outperforms its\u00a02020<\/strong>\u00a0sibling in either style and legacy; I nonetheless would have gone for a full metal bezel, despite this option being somehow inconsistent with the\u00a0Tribute<\/strong>\u2018s collection\u2019s family feeling. I\u2019m referring to the\u00a0blue Ocean Star Tribute<\/strong><\/a>, whose design holds as my so far fav vintage-inspired\u00a0Mido<\/strong>\u00a0sports watch.<\/p>\n

\"mido-ocean-star-decompression-timer-1961-limited-edition-5\"<\/p>\n

According to the product\u2019s spec sheet, the watch keeps measuring\u00a040.5 mm across<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a013.43 mm in thickness<\/strong>, while you\u2019re provided with a new range of strap options to make the\u00a0Decompression Timer<\/strong>\u00a0a more versatile watch; the box comes with a turquoise fabric strap and a\u00a0\u201cpatina\u201d<\/em>\u00a0brown leather strap, both adopting a sleek and thin pin buckle. My opinion is they both complement the case a whole lot better than the ubiquitous mesh bracelet, whose mainstream design usually dilutes any timepieces\u2019 design; nevertheless, I do see the vivid strap contrasts the matte bezel a bit too much.<\/p>\n

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As far as usability and touch and feel are concerned, I cannot deny that the\u00a0Mido<\/strong>\u00a0engineers worked hard to improve the bezel\u2019s ratcheting, while it still is hard to grasp and rotate and a bit slippery. Instead, I barely believe you\u2019ll wear a\u00a0Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 Limited Edition<\/strong>\u00a0during a pro diving session, although the watch is up to the task with its\u00a0200 meters water resistance<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/a>The devil is in the details<\/h2>\n

When you\u2019re swapping the strap, keep an eye on the lug\u2019s inner surface; you\u2019ll notice two tiny holes allowing you to adjust the replacement strap so that you can maximize comfort and let the timepiece seamlessly taper your wrist. It\u2019s a nice touch indeed.<\/p>\n

\"mido-ocean-star-decompression-timer-1961-limited-edition-6\"<\/p>\n

Price-wise, the\u00a02021 Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 Limited Edition<\/strong>\u00a0retails for\u00a0\u20ac 1150<\/strong>, in line with the outgoing edition, and you could secure yours by visiting the official\u00a0Mido<\/strong>\u00a0website as of\u00a0November 1<\/strong>st<\/sup>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The rally has begun; I\u2019m sure it\u2019ll sell like hot cakes; the\u00a0Mido<\/strong>\u00a0marketing team is aware they have a hot piece in-house and a brand empowerer and are eager to increase the product\u2019s hype further.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Final thoughts<\/h2>\n

In summary, I\u2019ll pick the new\u00a0Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer\u00a0<\/strong>over the previous one, no doubt; not only is it better looking, but it also holds that cool decompression-time-scale pattern and enhances the tool watch vintage feel. At such an affordable retail price, you get a four-season timepiece, offering plenty of options and a one-piece collection for those whose budget is in the 1000-Euro area. The improvement area includes a more usable rotating bezel, a better engineered yet less pinching mesh bracelet, and a more subtle strap-to-bezel colour combo.<\/p>\n