Guiding Light: Meet the Mido Super Slim Ocean Star 39

Fans of vintage waterproof watches have always held a special place in their hearts for the Ocean Star collection from Mido. It’s a fine tool watch with striking good looks and a robust construction.

The first Mido Ocean Star, the Ocean Star Commander, featured a pressure-fitted crystal, a single-piece case (monocoque), and the Aquadura cork crown gasket system, which were all intended to maximize the watch’s water resistance. The Ocean Star also gained attention for its slim silhouette that was a result of its monocoque case.
 

Interestingly, though the Ocean Star Commander was released in 1959, the company trademarked the name “Oceanstar” in 1944. It is that date is the anniversary the brand is marking this year.

Yes, you could call it a bit of a cheat, but let’s be cheeky and say that Mido was just ahead of the dive watch curve when it came to actually manifesting its unique vision for the tool watch – a timepiece that could be as easily worn with a three-piece-suit as a wetsuit.

At any rate, the Ocean Star is one of those rare collections that has remained in steady production over the decades. So, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the collection, Mido is releasing a brand new model – the sporty and slimmed-down Ocean Star 39.

The most impressive feature of the new Ocean Star generation is its size, 39mm in diameter, a first for this collection. Moreover, the Mido automatic calibre 72 has a thickness of only 3.85 mm.
 

Why does size matter? Because the size signals that the brand has designs on making the Ocean Star one of the thinnest in its category. It also announces Mido’s ambitions to reaffirm its rightful place as a trailblazer in sporty yet elegant watches.

The sophisticated details in the gradient dial include a relief motif with undulating navy blue and black tones that evoke the patterns water carves into the ocean floor. Plus, two of the new models sport an ombré effect. These hues are repeated on the unidirectional aluminum rotating bezel.
 

Set against this sea of blue and black are easy-to-read round indices and hour and minute hands generously filled with white Grade X1 Super-LumiNova, with the discreet date window at 3 o’clock nicely balancing out the boldness of these markers. This enchanting display is protected by a sapphire crystal coated inside and out with anti-reflective treatment.
 

Lastly, to carry the undersea motif even further, the Ocean Star 39’s screw-down caseback has been embossed with the collection’s famous starfish emblem, indicating Mido’s expertise in water resistance.

Now let’s take a deeper look at the Ocean Star 39’s specific set of skills.

Powered by the high-performance Calibre 72 with an antimagnetic Nivachron balance spring and a 72-hour power reserve, the movement is housed in a robust case made of stainless steel and further protected by a screw-down crown.

Moreover, like every Ocean Star, this edition features water resistance of up to 60 bar (600 m/1968 ft).
 

Another thoughtful touch that makes the Ocean Star such a versatile and wearable watch is the interchangeable stainless steel bracelet with a “diver” extension. Plus, its contrasting polished bevels and satin-finished surfaces give the bracelet an upmarket effect that reaffirms this model’s status as a tool watch with impeccable styling.