Although Mido is faring well in South America and Asia, it makes one wonder why it is not a big name as it should be back in the United States. A Swatch Group company, Mido is the world’s fourth largest producer of Swiss-certified movements, and its repertoire is not lacking in options that fit different budgets and tastes. What’s more, it deviates away from the vibe of exclusivity other Swiss watchmakers have capitalized on by insisting that good and consistent quality does not have to be inaccessible. At its 100th year, it is looking to change the status quo by introducing the Mido Commander Big Date while keeping its commitment to produce polished and high-grade watches.
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Release Date: 2018
The Big Date belongs to the Commander collection which first saw its way to the watch market in 1959. A subtle and notable change in its latest member sees the big date’s relocation to a more desirable position, perhaps as an adieu to the convention that is now deemed to be old-fashioned. It’s not a usual sight for watches of its price range, but one that is welcomed nevertheless. The result is a clean and simple watch that is versatile and stylish, while being available in less than US$2,000.
Specifications:
- Movement: automatic
- Caliber: Caliber 80, ETA C07.651 base
- Power reserve: 80h
- Frequency: 3Hz
- Case material: stainless steel
- Case diameter: 42mm
- Glass: sapphire crystal, both sides
- Water resistance: 50m
- Function: hour, minute, second, large date
- Bracelet/strap: black leather strap, stainless steel, satin-finished stainless steel, rose PVD-treated steel
Pros
The appearance of the Mido Commander Big Date is straight and simple, devoid of any unnecessary details and feels very architectural. Many younger wearers find date displays unsightly and unappealing, but Mido fixes that by putting the big date right above the 6 o’clock marker instead of beside the 3 o’clock index. This helps create a more balanced appearance for the dial, and the 42mm diameter is helpful in keeping it from being too busy for the eyes. The handsome watch is among the more affordable Swiss watches on the market, but its accessibility does not compromise the quality of the build. Its movement, which can be seen through the exhibition caseback, is not the most accurate out there, but it has a generous amount of power reserve, something Mido considers its customers would appreciate more than being right on the dot every time, and is shock-resistant.
Cons
Mido does away with an anti-reflective coating, which can lead to some issues on legibility. It is not the worst compared to other timepieces, but it can be troublesome at times especially when in sunny environments. The lugs of the Mido Commander Big Watch are not integrated, which isn’t the case for all the other choices on the line, although it’s not noticeable right away. The overall simplicity will not wow a layman, and the design is nothing innovative.
Compare With
- Longines Heritage Avigation GMT
- Richard Mille RM53-01 Tourbillon Pablo Mac Donough
- Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona ‘Rainbow’
- Oris Big Crown ProPilot Calibre 111/114
Image credits: Mido (featured image and article images), Hodinkee, aBlogtoWatch (article images)
