Mido has done an admirable job carving out a distinct personality for its Commander collection, which is marking its 60th birthday this year with a limited edition. The modern Commander balances retro and modern, dressy and sporty, as well as luxury and relative affordability, but most important is that it is recognizable. The new 60th anniversary edition features a “big date” complication and distinguishes itself in several other ways.
Born in 1959, the collection compares the contemporary Commander’s design to the Eiffel Tower (use your imagination), just as architecture and monuments have been a theme for various Mido watches. The most notable element that makes this version different is the 12 o’clock index taking the form of an applied “60.”
Counterbalancing the dial’s “60” is a “big date” display at 6 o’clock that is roughly the same size. This display uses two discs, one for each digit, and it is powered by the Mido Caliber 80 Big Date movement, which is a version of the 80-hour power reserve automatic movement by ETA found in many of the Swatch Group’s more affordable products. The movement is on display through the case back.
The Mido Commander Big Date is 42mm wide, features a sapphire crystal and is water-resistant to 50m. Red highlights further set this version apart from its regular production counterparts, and the dial includes “Limited Edition” text. The Mido Commander Big Date 60th Anniversary watch will be limited to 1,959 pieces and have a price of $1,090 on a leather strap, with shipping starting July 2, 2019.
Gear Patrol also recommends:
Hamilton Valiant Auto Watch ($595)
Tissot Ballade Powermatic 80 Chronometer Watch ($925)
Frederique Constant Runabout Automatic ($1,595)
