BY JOVAN K
Back in 2020, when Mido introduced the Ocean Star GMT, it immediately carved out a sweet spot in the market. Not because it was flashy or overly complicated, but because it delivered something enthusiasts genuinely wanted: a true GMT complication at a price that did not feel completely out of reach.
The new Ocean Star GMT leans even more into contrast and sporty character this time around. The black and white colour scheme gives the watch a crisp, highly legible appearance, while small orange accents stop it from feeling too clinical. It feels purposeful, sporty, and very much like a summer-ready travel companion.
On the wrist, this is not a small watch by any means. The stainless steel case measures 44mm x 13.4mm, with a 50.1mm lug-to-lug span. Large, yes, but it fits the Ocean Star identity well. The case itself mixes satin-brushed and polished surfaces nicely, giving it enough visual depth without overdoing things. You also get a screw-down crown and screw-on caseback, helping deliver a solid 200 meters of water resistance, meaning this is not just a GMT for airports and hotel lounges.
The unidirectional bezel features a black ceramic insert with white varnished markings and a luminous pip at 12 o’clock. Combined with the sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides.
Flip the watch over, and you’ll spot the engraved caseback displaying world time zones, a nice touch for a GMT watch.
The dial is where this new version really comes alive. The black base keeps things clean and sharp, while the applied indexes and diamond-cut hands are filled with white Super-LumiNova for strong low-light visibility. Around the dial sits a 24-hour flange split into black and white sections to separate night and day hours, which works beautifully with the orange GMT hand. It is functional, but also adds a bit of visual energy to the watch. Mido also added an orange tip to the large central seconds hand, another small detail that helps tie the whole design together. The date window at 3 o’clock keeps the layout practical and balanced without cluttering things up.
Inside sits the automatic Calibre 80, essentially part of the Swatch Group Powermatic family. It runs at 21,600 vibrations per hour, features 25 jewels, and delivers an impressive 80-hour power reserve. More importantly for everyday wear, it comes equipped with a Nivachron balance spring for better resistance against magnetism and shocks. The movement is adjusted in three positions, while the rotor is decorated with Côtes de Genève and the Mido logo.
The watch comes fitted on a black textile strap with white stitching, secured by a steel pin buckle, and equipped with a quick-change system
With a price of €1,350, the new Ocean Star GMT M026.629.17.051.01 still feels incredibly competitive for what is on offer here. A true GMT, dive watch capabilities, ceramic bezel, 80-hour power reserve, and modern movement tech. Hard to argue with that combination. Honestly, this feels like one of those watches that quietly makes a lot of sense.
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