OCEAN STAR DECOMPRESSION TIMER 1961 – An extraordinary model for watchmaking enthusiasts

With a polished 40.5 mm case, a multicoloured scale of decompression stops, a ‘glassbox’-style sapphire crystal and a rotating bezel, the striking codes of the era – among the most sought-after by collectors of Mido timepieces – are brought back to life. The dial of the new Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 is even closer to the original, revealing silvered white tones with a turquoise bezel for an irresistible and refreshing vintage look.

The excellent Caliber 80 gives this retro yet modern model a formidable power reserve of up to 80 hours. For keen aesthetes, there are three easily interchangeable straps – in braided polished steel, turquoise fabric and patinated leather – allowing them to switch up how they wear this extraordinary Ocean Star, limited to 1,961 pieces.

Architecture that withstands winds and tides

At Europe’s southernmost tip stands an architectural construction built to withstand any storm, that has unfailingly watched over the Gibraltar Strait since 1841: the Europa Point Lighthouse. Its powerful beam of light helps sailors to find their bearings on the often rough waters between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Created by Mido in 1944, the Ocean Star collection is characterised by its reliability, just like this monument, which was built to safely guide men embarking on new maritime conquests.

1961 – 2021: revival of the first recreational dives

Particularly popular with collectors, the 1961 Ocean Star Skin Diver Watch symbolises an entire era defined by the rise of diving for sport – an activity that was hitherto mainly practised by professionals. To facilitate calculations before and during a dive, the original model indicated the decompression times 6 metres below the surface.

These times could be read off very easily as they were displayed on contrasting coloured circles: yellow for a diving depth of 25 to 29 metres, green for 30 to 34 metres, pink for 35 to 39 metres and blue for 40 to 44 metres. By simply placing the minute hand at 12 o’clock before a dive, the wearer could read off the information on the table during immersion. The rotating bezel allowed diving time or decompression stops to be calculated.

In tribute to the original model, Mido reproduces the bright colours of the original table on the silvered white dial of the new Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 – an aesthetic nod that is by no means intended to replace modern diving rules and instruments. The depths are indicated at 12 o’clock in metres and feet.

For visibility underwater, Super-LumiNova adorns the diamond-cut hour and minute hands, as well as the polished indexes. The original Mido logo also features as a polished applied adornment on the silvered white dial, and as an engraving on the case back, crown and strap clasps.

A retro-modern model for connoisseurs

A modern sapphire version of the ‘glassbox’-style crystal – more luxurious and less prone to scratches – reinforces the vintage feel of the Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961. For added radiance, the round 40.5 mm case is crafted from polished durable stainless steel. At 12 o’clock, a large, neutral Super-LumiNova dot provides a point of reference on the fluted turquoise unidirectional rotating bezel.

Symbolising the Swiss watchmaker’s expertise in water-resistance, the Mido starfish is engraved on the stainless steel case back next to the serial number of each piece. The screwed crown and case back further enhance the durability of the watch, which is water-resistant up to 200 metres (20 bar/660 ft), while the Caliber 80 gives it an exceptional autonomy of up to 80 hours.

Available in November and presented in a special box with a limited edition certificate, each of the 1,961 timepieces comes with three elegant straps: a versatile braided steel bracelet, a more classic patinated leather strap, and a sporty turquoise fabric strap adorned with stitching in the colours of the table. A spur system allows for quick and easy strap changes.