Every year, the world’s most daring athletes compete in the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, jumping from heights of up to 27 meters in a spectacular display of skill and pure adrenaline. Swiss watchmaker Mido began partnering with the international series, which is held in eight different locations worldwide, in 2019. During the 2021 competition in Polignano a Mare, Puglia, Italy, the brand introduced its latest expression of the Ocean Star 600 Chronometer, a capable diver that has been a pillar of Mido’s catalog since the 1950s.
Photography by Jake Witkin
Mido released the inaugural Ocean Star in 1959, featuring a pressure-fitted crystal, the brand’s innovative Aquadura cork crown sealing system, and a single-shell monocoque case. Early examples featured a smooth bezel and a time-only dial. This is a dramatic departure from the dive watch occupying the current Ocean Star collection, with a helium escape valve, a two-piece case, and a uni-directional bezel. The brand celebrated its centennial in 2018 with a 600-meter model, which was replaced just a few years later by the ref. M026.608.11.041.01 at the center of this hands-on review. Aside from a few cosmetic changes, the newer model’s specs are nearly identical to its predecessor. It sports the same 43.5mm case size, caliber 80 Si movement, starfish screw-down case back, and locking bezel with a ceramic insert.
The most notable difference between the two is the dial. Mido ditches the depth rating for a cleaner aesthetic and swaps the arrow-tipped second hand for a lollipop-style hand. The hour markers are now round instead of rectangular, with an inverted triangle at 12 o’clock. Keen-eye collectors will also notice that Mido keeps the same double-stacked squares at 6 o’clock as the previous model. Furthermore, the solid hands are swapped for skeletonized hands, and the model’s name is now displayed on the dial as “Ocean Star 600” instead of “Ocean Star Diver,” possibly to somehow incorporate the watch’s substantial water resistance into the dial now that the depth rating text is gone. Other than looking more like the rest of the dive watches on the market, I don’t see any real need to change what was already an appealing and arguably more unique design. Still, I’m sure many collectors will prefer this newer look over the 2018 model. It’s also worth noting that, in person, the dial appears mostly black until viewed in strong light or direct sunlight, revealing a deep blue gradient.
There have been some rumblings about the lugs on the previous model being too short for strap changes, which I haven’t been able to confirm yet. Examining the new watch, I noticed that they certainly look similar, but I am curious if any readers have noticed any improvement in that department. It does look like Mido has upgraded the link attaching the bracelet to the case to make it more secure than the previous model. Mido has also removed extra text circling the starfish emblem on the case back, opting instead for just “Mido” at the top and “Ocean Star” on the bottom, which looks much cleaner. The case is water resistant up to 600 meters and has a helium escape valve at 9 o’clock with a tiny slot above it to release any excess water inside the bezel. It’s a handy feature for a watch at this price point. The case also features a traditional three-link bracelet made of polished and satin steel and a folding clasp with a diving extension. The clasp feels a bit flimsy but is comfortable all the same, and appropriate for the price point.
The case is on the larger side, measuring 43.5mm in diameter and approximately 14mm thick. It has an AR scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, guards to protect the crown while diving, and a uni-directional bezel with 60-minute graduations. The bezel has a locking mechanism, meaning it must be pressed down before it’s rotated to prevent accidental bumps and unwanted adjustments while in the water. Normally, this mechanism isn’t the greatest, but Mido executed it quite nicely here. Lastly, the bezel and dial are decorated with crisp, white Super-LumiNova for optimal visibility, day or night.
Now, to the “Chronometer” part of the Ocean Star. Mido is among the top producers of COSC-certified movements in the Swiss watch industry, with the caliber 80 Si at the heart of the new Ocean Star 600 Chronometer. The movement is based on the ETA C07.821, and features a silicon hairspring for better anti-magnetism and an 80-hour power reserve, nearly double that of a “regular” mechanical movement. The automatic movement also features a date mechanism at 3 o’clock.
The Mido Ocean Star 600 Chronometer is exactly what you would expect from a traditional dive watch, but with a reasonable retail price of $1,780 USD and the benefit of a chronometer movement, substantial 80-hour power reserve, locking bezel mechanism, and helium escape valve. All things considered, it offers collectors a lot of value. This model is available to purchase at many authorized retailers. For more information on the Mido Ocean Star 600 Chronometer Ref. M026.608.11.041.01 please visit the brand’s website.
