The New Mido Baroncelli Signature Skeleton

Mido, for quite many years, has been claiming to draw inspiration for the watch designs from the world of architecture, but the connection is only possible once you are an architect or a designer. Still, Mido produces good quality, good-looking watches with classical proportions, and its affordable and comprehensive offering is bound to be noticed by an intelligent consumer. The Mido Baroncelli collection has been around since 1976 and is the brand’s most extensive one, with 130 models to choose from. The Mido Baroncelli Signature Skeleton recently launched is a nod to the Rennes Opera House, a must to visit if you are in Rennes (France) or nearby. We gladly share what we know about the new watch and some initial thoughts. 

The Mido Baroncelli Signature Skeleton comes in with a welcome 39mm case, sensibly sized to the modern standard. It is 10,1 mm thick, and with a stainless steel bracelet, the watch weighs 110 grams. The dial is open-worked, with an anthracite peripheral ring for the polished applied indexes, and the sapphire crystal is treated for an anti-reflection effect on both sides. The crystal bears a very subtle Mido logo, “automatic” and “Baroncelli” inscriptions in white that do not obstruct the view. The hour and minute hands are faceted, the central seconds hand is flat, and all three shine to match the hour markers.

An opening into the heart of this Baroncelli Signature reference reveals a skeletonised mainplate and a decorated automatic movement with 80 hours of power reserve, the Calibre 80, with enhanced performance thanks to the Nivachron balance spring. This movement – ETA C07.631 base, a reworked ETA 2824-2, which itself was an evolution from the classic Eterna 1427 – is not exquisitely hand-decorated (sorry, not at this price point), but it is nicely finished, with a grey coating. The see-through caseback continues to build an impression of quality; note the rotor with the Geneva stripes and the Mido logo.

This Mido Baroncelli Signature Skeleton gives a refined impression. The released images show a wristwatch where every detail fits beautifully in design and execution. The watch with the polished five-row bracelet (folding clasp, with push-buttons) may appear more on the dressier side, but it can be a very satisfying piece to wear during regular office hours. There are only so many watches out there priced at about 1K euros that share the same clarity of design and reliable performance with formidable attention to detail. All that’s left is to see the Baroncelli Signature Skeleton in person.

The Mido Baroncelli Signature Skeleton is already available, the price is CHF 990 or EUR 1,090. For more please visit www.midowatches.com.