Dive Back in Time with the All-Black Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961

Four years ago, Mido livened up its portfolio with a funky multi-coloured reissue of its 1961 Ocean Star Skin Diver with a decompression table on the dial. Modelled after one of the most sought-after vintage models on the collector’s scene, Mido’s re-edited Rainbow Diver sold out briskly. Predicting the same successful course as the earlier remakes of the Ocean Decompression TImer 1961, Mido introduces a new all-black reference. Housed in a glossy black PVD case, the new Decompression Timer 1961 combines solid vintage content with modern specs at an unbeatable price.

Although it is not an exact 1:1 recreation of the 1961 model, the dial of the new Ocean Star Decompression Timer nails the groovy vintage vibe of its ancestor. The unidirectional bezel, which has a black anodised aluminium insert with a 60-minute scale and a luminous pearl at noon, works in conjunction with the scales on the dial. Set against a matte black dial background (the original was white), the four colours of the decompression scales – yellow, green, pink and blue – are true to the 1961 model.

A wedge-shaped insert in the scales at noon indicates depths in metres and feet, while the decompression times are displayed inside the four rings on the dial. The smallest yellow ring, for example, covers decompression times from 25 to 29 metres (80 to 94 feet), all the way up to the outermost blue track with its 40 to 44 metres. By placing the minutes hand at 12 o’clock before a dive, a diver could/can see whether a decompression period had to be observed when reascending and the duration of each stage. The glassbox-style sapphire crystal evokes the Plexiglass of yesteryear.

To enhance legibility, the period-correct faceted hour and minute hands and the rectangular-shaped and polished indices applied on the perimeter are treated with Super-LumiNova. The luminous hours are posted in the dial’s centre along with the applied vintage Mido logo. The date window at 3 o’clock is always debatable. While the black background allows it to blend into the composition, it could distract a diver trying to consult the decompression times.

The new glossy polished black PVD-treated stainless steel case gives the watch a more contemporary look, but its 40.5mm diameter and 13.4mm thickness, which is larger than the original, is pretty compact compared to other dive watches on the market. Fitted with pointy crown guards, a screw-down crown and caseback decorated with a starfish, the new model is slightly less water-resistant than the original, with a 200m depth rating.

The Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 is powered by the Mido calibre 80, based on the ETA C07.621. Shared by some of the most accessible brands in Swatch Group, the Powermatic 80 is an evolution of the ETA 2824 architecture improved with a revised kinetic chain and lowered frequency. Now beating at 3Hz, it has also more than doubled its power reserve to 80 hours.

Availability & Price

The Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 is a limited edition of 1,961 pieces. It comes in a special box with three interchangeable options: a black PVD steel Milanese mesh bracelet, a light blue textured rubber strap and a black calfskin strap with stitching matching the colours of the decompression scales. It retails for CHF 1,350.

For more information and prices in your region, please consult midowatches.com.