This 39mm Stunner May Be the Best New Affordable Dive Watch

Mido’s latest Ocean Star combines high-end looks and perfect case dimensions at a bargain price.

Published July 5, 2024

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Anyone who’s been keeping a close eye on the watch industry in recent years knows a secret that many in the general public do not: If you want a Swiss watch that offers tremendous value for money, buy a Mido.

The sometimes-forgotten member of Swatch Group’s vast portfolio has been on a tear in recent years thanks to a healthy mix of attractive modern designs, thoughtful reinventions of heritage pieces, competitive specs, and, perhaps above all else, an almost preternatural ability to give the market exactly what it wants.

We’ve seen this in standout watches like the colorful and fun Ocean Star Decompression Worldtimer, the luxe-looking Multifort TV Big Date and the retro-cool Ocean Star Tribute.

Now, Mido is playing directly to enthusiasts with the launch of its latest dive watch, which is immediately a strong contender for the title of “best dive watch under $1,500.”

Mido Ocean Star 39

$1,100 at Mido

Smaller, Prettier, Just As Capable

Mido’s new diver is the Ocean Star 39, marking the first time the brand’s flagship dive watch has been available in a crowd-pleasing and versatile 39mm case size.

But Mido didn’t just shrink down its existing 42.5mm Ocean Star diver and call it a day — this new watch is a complete reinvention.

The most visible change is the dial, which on the new 39mm model features a deeply engraved wave pattern for a luxurious look that comes across as a cross between sister brand Omega’s laser-engraved Seamaster dial and Grand Seiko’s more textured Lake Suwa dials.

mido dive watch on mans wrist — With its mix of an engraved wave dial and gradient color scheme, the affordable new Ocean Star has a seriously high-end look.

On two of the four new references, this wave pattern is partnered with a gradient effect that vertically transitions either from black to blue or from black to gray. Again, this is reminiscent of some far more expensive watches, most notably the Rolex Deepsea D-blue variant. Here, however, the dial’s effect is replicated on the bezel.

The two gradient versions are accompanied by a three-link stainless steel bracelet featuring a quick-release mechanism and a diving extension on the clasp.

A third reference featuring a sand-colored dial and gold PVD bezel also comes on the bracelet, while the fourth version of the watch is paired with an integrated black rubber strap and features a black PVD case, black bezel, black wave dial (complete with color-matched date wheel) and orange-colored lume.

mido dive watches over a watery background — In addition to the more mainstream blue and black versions, the new Mido diver comes in two-tone sandy and completely blacked-out styles.

All of the Ocean Star 39 models measure 39mm across the case, 46 mm lug to lug and, even more impressively, just 10.5mm thick, making this one of the thinnest automatic divers and the market and likely ranking as one of the most comfortable and best-wearing because of it.

The thinness is achieved thanks to the use of a new movement for a Mido diver, the Mido Caliber 72 (ETA A31.111). This is a derivative of a higher-end ETA movement that’s previously been used in some very thin Mido dress watches. It boasts a 72-hour power reserve and an anti-magnetic Nivachron balance spring.

Rounding out the new Mido diver’s specs are an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, a unidirectional bezel with an aluminum insert, Super-LumiNova lume and 200m of water resistance.

At just 10.5mm, the Ocean Star 39 is among the thinnest automatic dive watches on the market.

Mido

Then there’s the best part of the Ocean Star 39, which is the price. The three models on the bracelet retail for just $1,100, while the black PVD on rubber version is priced slightly higher at $1,170.

A Swiss-made diver with an impressive movement, an original and attractive design, and basically perfect case proportions honestly has no business coming in at this low of a price, especially when it’s coming from a brand with as much heritage as Mido.

Oh, did I not mention that the Ocean Star 39 was created in honor of the Ocean Star line’s 80th anniversary? I can’t think of a better way to celebrate.