- Glass
- Hands
- Bezel
- Push button
- Casing ring
- Case back gasket
- Springbar
- Bracelet
- Gasket of glass
- Dial
- Gasket of bezel
- Case
- Case tube
- Crown
- Back
- Clasp
Use of the stainless steel, guaranteeing our customers that the European Reach regulations are respected
Some components (like bezels, middle case and case back) need to be stamped as a first step. Further to that, all components are produced by machining.
Components have to go through the operational production to finalize their own shape by machining, with a high level of tolerance control.
Components must have a good finishing like sandblasting, brushing, polishing, with a specific aesthetic control.
When all components are ready, the case can be assembled and is granted the quality by aesthetic control, water resistance and functionality.
For the manufacture of its components (case and bracelet), MIDO has selected a very high-quality stainless steel.
Same family of steels are used in the medical field for the manufacture of implants.
Titanium is a metallic element found in the Earth’s crust and is approximately 50% lighter than steel. It is a high-tech material mainly used in the aerospace and medical industries (nickel-free).
This process is performed under vacuum. Microscopic particles are applied on the products by ion bombing. A very thin layer (1 to 3 μm) of impurity-free components can be realized. This gives a high level of hardness.
Micro-particles of carbon are deposited on the steel through a chemical vacuum process (same as PVD)
It gives the watch a particular colour (dark) but not only! It has an anti-friction role, protecting the friction points (i.e the rotating bezel)
Other applications: Engine components in racing cars / surgical implants / razors / etc.
“GADROONING: carved or curved moulding used in architecture and interior design as decorative motif, often consisting of flutes which are inverted or curved. popular during the Italian Renaissance”
Gadroons are the disctingtive design details you find on our Baroncelli III family
Bovine leather is used for the leather straps. They are hypoallergenic and made to high quality standards. The leather is cut using machines or tools. Several layers of materials are glued and stitched together to ensure good quality and make the product tear-resistant. The sides are varnished for a high level of finishing.
Stainless steel and titanium are the metals used for MIDO bracelets. These are noble materials, used, for example, in surgical technology. The metal is stamped and finished by machining to obtain the final shape. After production, all the components are polished and assembled.
High-quality, light and comfortable to wear. Due to its hyper-elasticity, the rubber is injected by a tool into a mould. This operation gives the strap its final shape and surface finishing.
Resistant, comfortable and soft to the touch. These types of classic and elegant straps go through the same quality tests as leather, ensuring great quality and functionality.
Highly resistant, comfortable and durable. With its smooth and glossy finish, this bracelet gives the watch an elegant and classic look.
REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals) is a new European legislation for chemicals, including substances in consumer products such as watches and jewelry. All our straps are complying to these regulations.
The Milanese watch bracelet was named after the Italian city of Milan, where it was first created in the late 19th century.
Due to the tremendous flexibility of the trend, which gives watches a contemporary yet retro style, watch bracelets made from stylish mesh or fine links can nowadays be seen on many gold and steel wristwatches.
The mesh was designed to have the movement and feel of leather (as opposed to the standard metal bracelets) but with far more breathability. Summers in Milan are hot and leather not only makes you warmer, but is also spoilt by sweat, hence the need for smooth metal.
MIDO uses a new kind of buckle on its Ocean Star family.
The sliding extension of this buckle helps divers to put the watch on over their diving suits.
The bracelet does not therefore need to be adjusted, giving the wearer additional comfort.
MIDO is using the folding clasp on all the bracelets dedicated for its Rainflower family.
MIDO’s stainless steel bracelets have arrows to show which way to pull out the pins to shorten the strap.
The quality of the bracelet or strap is tested by simulating movement (with a total of 10,000 oscillations).
The resistance of the bracelet or strap is tested by simulating tensile force and torsion. This is done in accordance with NIHS Swatch Group tests and is intended to replicate daily wear. The bracelet or strap must complete 10,000 cycles without breaking.
MIDO only sells leather straps supplied exclusively by officially recognised and fully inspected breeders.
Like all Swatch Group companies, MIDO scrupulously complies with the terms of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which Switzerland has signed.
This convention stipulates that a certificate of origin and a guarantee of compliance must be provided for certain types of hides and skins. Whatever species the hides and skins may come from, all are supplied exclusively by officially recognised, fully inspected breeders.
CUTTING VIEW OF A LEATHER STRAP
The leather blanks are now ready to be made into straps and are cut, turned in, reinforced, lined, glued, stitched and sewn – operations carried out by expert hands, patiently trained over many years. Some straps will be fitted with a classic buckle, while others will feature a folding safety clasp.
Generally speaking, there are three types of strap: sports, classic and fashion.
All will be inspected for robustness, tensile strength and resistance to abrasion and various types of stains; the quality of the dye will also be tested. The only variable is the degree of resistance to wear and tear, and the general appearance of the strap, depending on the lifestyle and activities of the wearer of the watch.
Since it is made from a natural, resistant and highly absorbent material, the leather strap fitted on a MIDO watch will last a long time if a few precautions are taken and basic care is exercised.
As a general rule, avoid bringing a leather strap into contact with any corrosive or discolouring chemical or natural substances. If in doubt, it is always wise to protect the whole watch.
Never place a leather strap near a source of heat – e.g. an open fire, radiator or back-up heating, oven or cooker.
Avoid leaving the strap exposed to strong direct light, sunlight or a powerful lamp over a long period of time.
Leave a wet or damp strap to dry at normal room temperature, or even preferably in a cool place.
Clean a stained or dirty strap straight away. Three methods of cleaning are recommended:
Wipe with a damp cloth, and if necessary some mild soap.
This method is especially suited to straps made of smooth or grained leather. Even if the leather is very dry, make sure that it does not absorb too much liquid.
Use a soft brush (for example a nail brush).
This method is recommended for Nubuck types of leather and suede. It will remove the dirt and refresh the surface fibres.
First of all, test the reaction of the leather to the solvent to ensure that it does not discolour or change in appearance.
This method is suitable for all types of leather, including Nubuck.
Most of MIDO watches are made with sapphire glass, anti-reflective both sides :
EXCELLENT, CLEAR AND SHARP VISIBILITY IN ALL CONDITIONS
It is strong, highly transparent and shock-resistant to offer continued enjoyment and readability
The anti-reflective layer can be repolished in the event of scratches
Regular sapphire glass → 87% of light rays blocked
One sided anti-reflection treatment glass → 93% of light rays blocked
Double sided non-reflection treatment glass → 98% of light rays blocked
The anti-reflection treatment ensures optimum readability of the time and emphasizes aesthetic elegance
The Commander I is fitted with an acrylic crystal: a synthetic material that can be polished in the event of scratches
It has a warm and retro look
Some of MIDO vintage watches are endowed with this particular type of glass
To create the glassbox sapphire crystal, a full piece of raw sapphire must be used and is carved to obtain the “box” shape.
Due to its hardness, the sapphire can only be sculpted by a material that is even harder: diamond.
The sculpting tools are made from diamond and are created specifically for each design.
Cutting hand shapes from the working band
Galvanic bath to obtain the final color
Cleaning of the hands after the treatment
Deposing SLN ( Super-Luminova®) or other material, like varnish.
Conditioning hand by hand before the delivery
Final product on the watch
The particular blue color of these hands (blued hands) is obtained by heating it at a very high and precise temperature.
The timing is also key in this process.
The specific blue hue is created by a thin layer of oxide, chemical reaction due to the heat. Only highly specialized craftsmen know the exact procedure of blueing hands.
Despite that several shades can be reached with this process, the most famous one is the intense blue of Breguet hands.
Magnifying the watch is not the only purpose of this blueing process: it increases the corrosion resistance of the metal.
Also called "photo-luminescent" or "afterglow" pigments, these are the most common used, non-radioactive and non-toxic alternative for illuminating markings on timepiece dials and hands in the dark.
All major watch brands use exclusively Swiss Super-LumiNova®, and this material is available in many colors and shades.
These pigments operate like a light battery. After sufficient activation by sunlight or artificial light, they glow in the dark for many hours.
This activation and subsequent light emission process can be repeated again and again, and the material does not suffer any ageing. Consequently, Super-Luminova® offers full high-performance over lifetime of a watch.
Many different materials can be used for the manufacture of dials (Gold, Bronze…). MIDO uses Brass: this Zinc and Copper alloy is resistant to corrosion and very malleable.
There are different ways to obtain a structure on the dial: hand graving, stamping, brushing.
The Guilloché stamping is the most used by MIDO. This stamping gives a very thin and delicate engraving look to the dial.
The welding of the dial-foot is very important: it will define the correct positioning of the dial on the watch.
Different stamping examples
As a final step, the dials have to go through a galvanic bath to obtain the final color.
The marks are printed, Super-Luminova® and indexes are applied.
There are several techniques used to create indexes on the watch dials:
Any Shape, Arabic or Roman numerals indexes are possible with these three techniques
Example of Applique Indexes
| Carats | 24 | 22 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 9 |
| % gold | 100 | 91.67 | 75 | 58.3 | 41.67 | 37.5 |
E.g. 18K gold =
750/1000 of pure gold +
95.4 of copper +
154.6 of silver
Unlike most gems, diamonds appear to be colourless; sometimes they contain shades of yellow or brown. The colour ranges from colourless to pale yellow with an infinite variety of subtle intermediate hues ranging from River to Yellow:
The colour of MIDO's diamonds is Top Wesselton.
Almost all diamonds contain minute traces of non-crystallised carbon or small non-diamond crystals. Most are not discernible to the naked eye and require magnification to become visible. These “inclusions” are nature's fingerprints and make a diamond unique. However, the fewer they are, the rarer the stone will be:
FL ➞ Loupe Clean
VVS ➞ Very, Very Small Inclusions
VS ➞ Very Small Inclusions
SI ➞ Small Inclusions
I ➞ Inclusions visible
The degree of purity of a MIDO diamond is VS or SI
While MIDO offers real diamonds, competitors in our price category often sell Zirconias for the same price
PERLAGE: decoration consisting in engraving a surface with circles, very close together, sometimes up to impinge on each other.
This decoration is typical of the high end watch brands.
Done by machining, it can also be handcrafted.
MIDO offers this decoration on many of its movements, underlining the excellent value of its products.
The Geneva Stripes (or Côtes de Geneve) are a sequence of vertical and parallel stripes, engraved by machining, giving a concave optical effect.
This decoration has an additional use: the roughness of these engravings helps to retain eventual dust from falling in the movement, and therefore to harm its functions
Rhodium is a noble and rare metal, and is part of the Platinum family. It is a very hard material with excellent properties such as:
Blued Screws are obtained after heating the steel at very high temperatures for a determined period of time
This gives the screws this particular deep blue, as well as an increased corrosion resistance
MIDO movement
Rhodium plated
Movement
nickel plated
Extremely thin parallel engraved stripes.
Spraying a jet of sand to get a grained and matt effect.
Abrasion with very small particles giving a very shiny effect.
Mechanical watches
Manual winding or automatic
Quartz watches
Founded in 1793, ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse is one of the world's largest manufacturers of movements.
| Execution | Control Position |
|---|---|
| Elaboré | DU PL PD |
| Top | DU PL PD PU DD |
| COSC | DU PL PD PU DD |
The system used in mechanical movements was invented in the 17th century, and then miniaturised over the years.
MIDO uses manual-winding mechanical movements on special pieces (gold, limited edition, etc.)
Jewels in movements are very hard and resistant synthetic rubies.
They are used to reduce the friction level & wear of key wheels’ pinions to a minimum.
Most MIDO watches have a transparent case back in order to show the beauty of the movement.
Up to 60 hours of power reserve
Movement with elaborate finishing:
Up to 72 hours of power reserve
First MIDO movement with up to 80 hours of power reserve
Movement with elaborate finishing:
Well-known as a leader in COSC-certified chronometer watches, MIDO continues its constant quest for high precision by launching the first Caliber 80 Chronometer Si movement.
The movement is endowed with a silicon balance-spring for improved precision, stability and durability. Highly appreciated in the luxury watch category, MIDO is proud to use the proven advantages of this technology in its price category.
The balance-spring is one of the most important components in a watch movement.
It regulates energy and thus the watch’s precision.
Silicon is the 14th element in the periodic table of elements
(CODE SI)
In its single-crystal form, it is:
Patented Si logo
Si marked on the oscillating weight
Nivarox™ nickel steel balance-spring – has existed since 1933, industrial process for high-volume production.
Nivarox™ steel
An innovation born out of a collaboration between the Swatch Group and Audemars Piguet launched in 2019, Nivachron™ has the same high-volume production process as Nivarox™ but with a new metal alloy based on titanium for greater resistance to magnetism and shocks.
Nivachron™
The silicon balance-spring uses a photolithography production process, first introduced to the Swatch Group by Breguet in 2006. This high-end balance-spring resists magnetism and shocks. MIDO only uses silicon in its COSC-certified models
Silicon
Nivachron™
Launched in 2019, Nivachron™ has the same high-volume production process as Nivarox™ but with a new metal alloy based on titanium, giving higher resistance to magnetism and shocks.
A Nivachron™ Caliber 80 can easily be identified by the fact that there is no “twenty-five 25 jewels” engraving in the center of the oscillating weight.
Any function other than the indication of hours, minutes and seconds centered, regardless of whether the mechanism is hand-wound or self-winding, mechanical or electronic, and of movement height.
A watch with Power Reserve function has an additional display which shows the remaining duration on its own power reserves without external power.
The open dial at 6 o’clock shows you the progress of the moon during the month.
The complete duration of moon phase is 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 2.8 seconds.
Usually, the second is shown by a central hand.
On small second, the hand is decentralized and can be everywhere except in the middle
A chronograph is a stopwatch, used to measure short time periods, mainly during sports events.
The Big Date small complication is a date indicator composed of two discs, swapping simultaneously. The MIDO Big Date window is about 80% bigger than standard date windows
MIDO watches cover all needs for water resistance.
The assortments contains models ranging from 3 to 60 bars.
MIDO watches needing to endure high pressure under water (100m) are made with screw down crowns. This will give the watch an additional protection against the water infiltration.
You may find some Vintage Commander still carrying the Aquadura system: if it is the case, “Aquadura” is engraved on the case back.
Water resistance without screwed crown
Water resistance with screwed crown
MIDO - Aquadura System
Washing hands |
Light rain/shower |
Gentle swim/bath |
Sports swim |
Diving & similar |
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GMT: Greenwich Mean Time = the time of Greenwich (UK)
Use: The GMT function of a watch is in fact a second time zone
The Tachymeter, derived from the Greek word “takhus” meaning “speed” or “rapidity”, measures speed by calculating the distance covered and the time required to cover this distance.
Example: 1 km in 30 sec = 120 km/h
When a model has this special feature, “Tachymeter” is always mentioned on the flange, to the right of 12 o’clock.
A helium valve is a feature found on some diving watches.
It evacuates the helium atoms that could infiltrate inside the case of the watch during very prolonged dives, where divers breathe a gas mixture of helium and oxygen, avoiding certain adverse effects of nitrogen at high pressure, and allowing them to stay inside a bell or an underwater station for several days.
Yet during the ascent, divers' decompression can be faster than the degassing of helium contained in the watch, which produces pressure in the case. This may cause damage by pushing out the watch crystal.
Some MIDO models incorporate this special feature.
Some key advantages of owning a MIDO watch are high quality, long-term precision and a wide range of COSC-certified movements. But do you know how to answer your customers when they ask…
A chronometer is a HIGH-PRECISION watch capable of displaying the seconds and housing a MOVEMENT that has been tested over several days, in different positions and at different temperatures, by an official neutral body (COSC).
Each chronometer is UNIQUE, identified by a number engraved on its movement and a certification number given by the COSC.
Each movement is INDIVIDUALLY tested for several consecutive days, in five positions and at three temperatures.
Each movement is individually measured. Any watch with the denomination "chronometer" is provided with a CERTIFIED movement.
What is the requirement for a watch
to earn the COSC certificate?
-4 / +6 SEC/DAY
COSC?
Translated from French, COSC is the abbreviation of
“Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute”
Internationally recognised as the symbol of Swiss precision, the
(COSC) attests to the chronometric precision of a movement and, by extension, a watch. Introduced in 1973, it is still going strong.
As of January 2023, warranty is extended of 3 years for COSC watches.
Watch reference
Serial number
Movement number
TIP: The tag can be used as an information sign for display as it is self-standing
An automatic (self-winding) movement is activated by a rotor. The movement of the arm and wrist activates the rotor, which winds the mainspring.
No battery is needed. The accuracy depends on the manufacture of the movement and on the daily use of the wearer.
Automatic watch with official COSC chronometer certificate.
The mainspring of this movement is wound by turning the watch crown.
No battery is needed. The accuracy depends on the manufacture of the movement and on the daily use of the wearer.
In a quartz movement, electronically controlled oscillations are transmitted by a specially designed synthetic quartz crystal. The precision of the oscillations is the reason of the high accuracy of quartz movements.
This quartz movement is fitted with an end of life battery (EOL) indicator.
When the seconds hand begins to jump by four second intervals, the battery must be replaced within the next two weeks.
For the manufacture of its components (case and bracelet), MIDO has selected a very high quality stainless steel with high corrosion resistance and excellent durability.
This process is performed under vacuum. Microscopic particles are deposited on the products by ion bombing. The advantage of PVD is that it is a thin but hard layer, resistant to corrosion, has a strong adherence and offers many choices of colors.
Micro particles of carbon are deposited on the steel through a chemical and vacuum process (same as PVD)
It gives the watch a particular colour (dark) but not only! It is anti-corrosive and anti-friction.
Titanium is a metallic element found in the earth’s crust, Titanium is approximately 30% harder and 50% lighter than steel, because it is nickel free and 100% recyclable.
30m / 100 ft
50m / 165 ft
100m / 330 ft
(no longer produced)
100m / 330 ft
screwed crown
200m / 660 ft
screwed crown
200m / 660 ft
screwed crown
+ pushers
300m / 1000 ft
screwed crown
600m / 2000 ft
screwed crown
