Mido
Founded in 1918, Mido is now part of the Swatch Group family and focuses on entry-level Swiss timepieces with modern design cues, and has historically been popular in the South American and Chinese markets. Citing inspiration from architecture for many of its model families, Mido is anchored by its Ocean Star diving collection but has attractive watches for all tastes in its diverse catalog, including the more formal Baroncelli collection and the sportier Commander lineup.
For years, Swatch brand Mido Watches found itself with huge success in major markets outside of North America. Then, it introduced a few vintage-inspired models and it was suddenly a force to be reckoned with in every major market. Mido’s main draws for most watch lovers are its Multifort and Ocean Star lines, originally introduced in 1934 and 1959, respectively.
Mido was founded in Switzerland by watchmaker George G Schaeren, who chose the name from the spanish “Yo Mido,” meaning “I measure.” The company found early success taking design inspiration from automobile grilles, and soon after began innovating with water-tight watches, automatic winding improvements, and case design.
From the beginning, Mido has made watches for both men and women, which continues today across its eight collections. From the more elegant Dorada, Belluna, and Rainflower, to the sportier Commander, Multifort, and Ocean Star, Mido has offerings that run the gamut from small and bedazzled to large and rugged, with quartz, automatic, and chronometer options. Add to that its very successful vintage-inspired releases, and you have a brand with something for everyone.