When it comes to luxury Swiss watch brands, Mido is often at the top of the list. Combining technical prowess, sophisticated craftsmanship, and timeless design, it is no wonder why Mido is coveted by watch enthusiasts from all walks of life. Since its founding in 1918, Mido has focused on creating watches that embody the Swiss tradition of quality and precision.
Contents
History of Mido
Mido was born out of the creative vision of engineer Georges Schaeren and his wife, Colette, in the city of Bienne, Switzerland. Schaeren’s goal was to create high-quality, yet affordable watches, using the finest materials and state of the art production techniques. The name Mido was derived from the Spanish phrase “Yo mido”, which translates to “I measure” in English.
In 1926, Mido launched the world’s first waterproof watch; the legendary Ocean Star. This watch utilized the revolutionary “Mido System”, which sealed the inside of the watch via two O-ring seals – an idea they patented at the time.
Mido’s Classic Precision
When it comes to Mido watches, quality and precision are paramount. All watches are assembled by hand in their Swiss workshops, and undergo rigorous quality checks to ensure only the best pieces are released. Additionally, all watch cases and bracelets are crafted from stainless steel, and are polished to a mirror finish to make sure nothing but perfection is delivered to the customer.
Popular Models From Mido
In recent years, Mido has rolled out a variety of watches that have found favor with both casual and avid watch lovers alike. Here are some of the most popular models in their current collection:
Mido Commander
- Classic three-hand design in a 42mm stainless steel case
- Sapphire crystal glass with an anti-reflective coating
- Automatic movement with date display
- Water-resistant up to 100 meters
Mido Baroncelli Heritage
- Elegant two-tone stainless steel case and bracelet
- Domed sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective coating
- Crown quarter-crown design
- Automatic movement with up to 88-hour power reserve
Mido All Dial Chronometer
- Unique design with a blue dial framed by twelve markers
- Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass with an anti-reflective coating
- Automatic movement with a power reserve of up to 42 hours
- Water-resistant up to 50 meters
The Future of Mido
Mido is committed to continuing to innovate and create watches that defy the status quo. Building on their rich history of craftsmanship, they plan to release new and exciting models in the near future.
Currently, they have announced that they will be launching their latest collection called the “Powerwind”. Focusing on the concept of movement, the Powerwind watches offer an innovative design and have been certified as chronometers by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute.
For more than a century, Mido has been a leader in the world of Swiss watches. Their dedication to exceptional quality and craftsmanship has earned them a place amongst the top Swiss watch brands. From the first waterproof watch to the latest Powerwind collection, Mido is sure to continue to create timepieces that are as beautiful as they are precise.
The company, founded in 1918, is under the Swatch group brand umbrella. Mido was founded by George G. Schaeren in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland. Mido comes from the Spanish phrase Yo mido meaning “I measure”. In the 1920s, Mido introduced ladies’ watches with color-enameled shaped cases and modern straps as well as timepieces for gentlemen in art deco style. Mido found a market in the flourishing automotive market by producing watches in the shape of radiator grills of a wide range of brands such as Buick, Bugatti, Fiat, Ford, Excelsior, Hispano-Suiza, etc.
In 1934, Mido launched the Multifort design, the first Mido to use a self-winding automatic movement. It was shock-resistant, anti-magnetic and water-resistant. In that same year, Mido launched watches with unbreakable mainsprings. This was also the very first time that any watch manufacturer utilized this type of spring within the marketplace.[citation needed] During this time period, Mido used a Robot as its ambassador as a symbol of progress and robustness. A comic strip from this era featured the Mido Robot and its adventures.
In 1945, Mido became the first manufacturer to introduce a central-read chronograph wherein the stopwatch function had all its hands arranged at the center. In 1954, the firm launched the world’s most efficient winding mechanism.
Mido released its Commander model in 1959, which utilized a one-piece case design. In 1967, Mido was distinguished as the maker of the world’s thinnest ladies watch.
In 1970, Mido launched the Aquadura Crown Sealing system, which makes use of an all-natural cork that is treated and formed to ensure its water-resistant qualities. This technique is utilized to seal the crown, the most susceptible place on a watch to water leakage.
During the 1990s, the Mido World Timer was launched. This was a practical display that can show the local time anywhere on the planet. The user must bring the desired city to the 12 o’clock position and press the crown to check the local time.
Mido is recognized as one of the top 10 producers of certified chronometers. With 61,358 automatic movements produced in 2013, Mido is currently ranked number four in the production of chronometers in the Swiss watch industry.
Today, Mido is a part of the Swatch Group, headquartered in Le Locle, Switzerland. It also has a branch office in Shanghai, China.