MIDO Ocean Star Decompression Worldtimer Dive Watch
Starting from 1.430 €The MIDO Ocean Star Decompression Worldtimer is a neo-vintage dive watch that revives one of the Swiss brand's most singular pieces: the 1961 Skin Diver Watch with its multicoloured decompression table. Launched in March 2023 as a special edition, offered with two dial colours, blue or black, it adds a GMT function and a bezel engraved with major world cities to this heritage. A diver at heart and a travel companion by vocation, it is aimed at fans of tool watches with retro charm who want a versatile Swiss automatic, supplied with two straps to move from the seaside to the city. An unusual combination at this price point.
MIDO Ocean Star Decompression Worldtimer dive watch
The story of this Ocean Star begins in 1961. That year, MIDO introduced a dive watch then named the “skin diver watch and decompression timer”, known today as the Skin Diver Watch. Its dial featured a multicoloured decompression table: with the minute hand set to 12 o’clock before immersion, the diver could read this table throughout the dive, while a rotating bezel with reverse-reading minute scale completed the set.
The Decompression Worldtimer faithfully reprises this graphic principle. Four coloured rings correspond to 25, 30, 35 and 40 metres, or 80, 95, 110 and 130 feet. The “0” on each ring indicates the no-decompression bottom time: 34 minutes for the yellow ring, valid from 25 to 29 metres. MIDO presents this scale, however, as an aesthetic nod, which in no way replaces modern diving instruments.
Where the previous Decompression Timer 1961 reissues stayed focused on diving, this version, launched in March 2023, opens the model up to travel. It gains a GMT function and a bezel engraved with major world cities, while keeping a domed crystal reminiscent of the period plexiglass, the original MIDO logo and a starfish engraved on the caseback. The result is a dual-culture neo-vintage diver, as at home on a jetty as between two time zones, designed for those who love watches that carry a genuine story.
Technical specifications MIDO Ocean Star Decompression Worldtimer
- Brand: MIDO
- Model: Ocean Star Decompression Worldtimer
- Reference: Depending on version
- Indicative price: 1,430€
- Movement: Swiss automatic
- Power reserve: 80h
- Calibre: Calibre 80
- Diameter: 40.5 mm
- Thickness: 13.4 mm
- Water resistance: 200 m / 20 bar
- Materials: 316L stainless steel
- Crystal: “Glassbox” sapphire
- Dial: Blue or black
- Strap: Blue or black rubber + Milanese bracelet
- Warranty: 2 years
- Box contents: Watch, 2 straps
The MIDO Ocean Star Decompression Worldtimer dive watch
The MIDO Ocean Star Decompression Worldtimer brings together two worlds that rarely meet on the same dial: diving and travel. Its round case in 316L stainless steel has a diameter of 40.5 mm, a measured size that suits most wrists and respects the proportions of retro-inspired divers. Its thickness of 13.4 mm, on the other hand, gives it a confident presence on the wrist. The crystal is a “glassbox” sapphire, treated with anti-reflective coating on its inner face. It evokes the domed plexiglass of the 1960s while bringing the robustness of sapphire.
Beneath it lies the watch’s true subject: the multicoloured decompression scale, arranged in concentric rings. The Arabic numerals and hour markers, combined with Super-LumiNova®, keep the time legible despite the graphic density of the whole. The travel dimension comes through the aluminium rotating bezel, engraved with major world cities, and a red arrow-tipped GMT hand that indicates a second time zone. The original MIDO logo, applied and polished, recalls the direct link with the 1961 model. This neo-vintage diver is aimed at those seeking a strong-personality piece, capable of moving from a day at sea to a long-haul flight without changing watches, and who appreciate a dial that tells something of its brand’s history.
Calibre 80, GMT and two interchangeable straps
At the heart of the Ocean Star Decompression Worldtimer beats the Calibre 80, a Swiss automatic movement that displays the time, date and a second time zone. Its power reserve of up to 80 hours means the watch can be set down for an entire weekend and still be running on Monday morning. The Nivachron™ hairspring enhances its resistance to magnetism and shocks, two practical advantages for a watch worn daily as well as while travelling. On the diving side, the watch claims a water resistance of 200 m / 20 bar, ensured by a screw-down crown and a screw-down caseback engraved with a starfish. Enough to approach swimming and recreational diving with confidence.
Legibility relies on the Arabic numerals and hour markers treated with Super-LumiNova®, as well as the strong contrast of the red GMT hand, which stands out clearly against the coloured rings of the decompression scale. The model comes in two versions: a blue dial paired with navy blue rubber, or a black dial paired with black rubber. In both cases, the box also contains a more retro-styled Milanese bracelet, and the two straps can be swapped tool-free thanks to a quick-release system. This is the “one watch, two styles” principle MIDO intended: a sporty diver on textured rubber, a neo-vintage city watch on Milanese mesh, at the same price of €1,430 regardless of the version chosen.
MIDO Ocean Star Decompression Worldtimer dive watch: heritage and GMT
The MIDO Ocean Star Decompression Worldtimer combines a 316L stainless steel case measuring 40.5 mm across and 13.4 mm thick, an anti-reflective “glassbox” sapphire crystal, and water resistance of 200 metres guaranteed by a screw-down crown and caseback. Powered by the Swiss automatic Calibre 80, it offers up to 80 hours of power reserve, a Nivachron™ hairspring, the date and a GMT function. Its blue or black dial reprises the multicoloured decompression scale from 1961, surrounded by a bezel engraved with world cities. Supplied with an interchangeable rubber strap and Milanese bracelet, it is priced at €1,430.
Movement
The watch is powered by the Calibre 80, a Swiss automatic movement that winds itself through the motion of the wrist. Its main selling point lies in its power reserve of up to 80 hours, an autonomy that allows the watch to be set down for more than three days without needing to be reset. It features a Nivachron™ hairspring, designed to better resist magnetism and everyday shocks. In terms of functions, it displays the time, date and a second time zone, shown by a red arrow-tipped GMT hand visible on the dial.
Diameter and materials
The round case is made of 316L stainless steel and measures 40.5 mm in diameter with a thickness of 13.4 mm, and a lug width of 21 mm. It is topped with a “glassbox” sapphire crystal treated with anti-reflective coating on its inner face, recalling the domed plexiglass of the 1960s. The aluminium rotating bezel bears the names of major world cities. Two dials are offered, blue or black, each featuring the multicoloured decompression scale, Arabic numerals and hour markers. The stated weight is 220 grams.
Water resistance
The Decompression Worldtimer claims water resistance of 200 m / 20 bar, a level suited to both water activities and everyday life. This protection relies on a screw-down crown and a screw-down caseback, the latter engraved with a starfish. In low light, Super-LumiNova® makes the numerals and hour markers easier to read. The decompression scale, with its rings from 25 to 40 metres, remains an aesthetic nod to the 1961 model: MIDO points out that it does not replace modern diving instruments.
Accessories
The Ocean Star Decompression Worldtimer comes with two straps. The first is a textured rubber strap, navy blue on the blue dial version and black on the black dial version, fastened with a standard buckle. The second is a retro-styled Milanese bracelet, supplied with both versions. Switching between the two is tool-free thanks to a quick-release system. This dual fitting embodies the “one watch, two styles” principle: a sporty diver on rubber, a neo-vintage city watch on Milanese mesh.
Warranty
MIDO backs the Ocean Star Decompression Worldtimer with a 2-year international warranty. For a watch designed for travel, the international nature of this cover makes real sense: it follows its owner beyond the country of purchase. The duration remains standard for a Swiss automatic priced at €1,430. To preserve the 200 m water resistance over time, regular servicing by a watchmaker remains recommended, particularly before a season of swimming or diving.
Mido Ocean Star Decompression Worldtimer The pros
and cons
- Calibre 80 with 80 hours of reserve
- GMT function and world cities bezel
- Nivachron™ hairspring resists magnetism
- Authentic heritage from the 1961 diver
- Two straps included, tool-free swap
- Decompression scale purely decorative
- Busy dial, less immediate legibility
- Aluminium bezel, not ceramic
- Very pronounced neo-vintage style
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