Mido Commander

Mido has been producing the Commander uninterrupted for over 60 years. It debuted in 1959 under the name Ocean Star, which is a separate collection today. The original model featured a single-piece (or monocoque) case. It also came with Mido's proprietary crown sealing system. This system later came to be known as "Aquadura." The combination of these two features results in extremely water-resistant and robust watches.

The Commander remains a bedrock of the Swiss company's catalog. Today's collection offers a wide range of models. Each watch follows the same basic design principles set out by the first model. This is especially true of pieces like the ref. M8429.3.22.13 from the Commander 1959 series. Its warm golden Milanese bracelet and 37-mm case take the wearer on a journey back to the late 1950s.

Despite their classic looks, Commander watches have kept up with the times. For example, Mido outfits these timepieces exclusively with proven Swiss ETA movements, including chronometer-certified calibers with an 80-hour power reserve.The limited-edition Commander Big Date 60th Anniversary premiered in 2019. As its name implies, this three-hand watch has an oversized date display. The ref. M021.626.16.081.00 boasts a chronometer-certified movement and has an official list price of 1,090 USD. The ref. M016.414.11.041.00 was released at the same time. However, this chronograph model is not a limited edition.

The Mido caliber 80 ticks away inside the Commander with the reference number M014.430.11.051.80 . This movement is based on the ETA C07.621 and comes with an 80-hour power reserve. It drives this classic three-hand watch's central hour, minute, and second hands. There's also a day-date display at 3 o'clock. Finally, the black dial features applied indices with luminous SuperLuminova markers.

Mido mounts the case on a stainless steel bracelet with a butterfly clasp. This timepiece has an official list price of 920 USD. You can purchase the same watch on Chrono24 for around 750 USD.

The Commander Chronograph with the reference number M016.414.11.061.00 is powered by the Mido caliber 60. This movement is a modified Swiss ETA caliber A05H21 with a 60-hour power reserve. There are central hands for the hours, minutes, and chronograph seconds, as well as a 12-hour counter at 6, small seconds at 9, and 30-minute counter at 12 o'clock. Finally, a day-date display sits at 3 o'clock. This specific model has an anthracite sunburst dial with applied luminous indices. A sapphire glass case back offers a view of the movement at work.

Prices for a new timepiece on a stainless steel bracelet come in at about 1,700 USD on Chrono24. Mido recommends a price of 1,960 USD.

Mido uses a special PVD coating when crafting the case of the Chronograph ref. M016.414.36.031.59 . The final result lends this watch its beautiful rose gold hue. This 42.5-mm timepiece is water-resistant to 50 m (5 bar, 164 ft) and has a sapphire glass case back. It gets its power from the proven ETA chronograph caliber 7750. The chronograph counters sit at 6 and 12 o'clock, with a small seconds at 9 o'clock. Lastly, you'll find a day-date display at 3.

Central hands display the hours, minutes, and chronograph seconds. The silvery dial also features 12 PVD-coated indices filled with luminous material. Paired with a black leather strap with gray stitching, this watch costs some 1,500 USD in mint condition. The same timepiece sells on Mido's website for 2,000 USD.

Mido also produces several Commander models with chronometer certificates from the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (Contrôle officiel suisse des chronomètres, or COSC). Watches with COSC-certified movements are especially accurate and often have the word "Chronometer" inscribed on their dials. The ref. M021.431.11.041.00 comes with such a certificate and is one of the top Commander models.

Its 40-mm stainless steel case is water-resistant to 50 m (5 bar, 164 ft). Sapphire glass protects it from both the front and back. Inside, you'll find the Mido caliber COSC, a version of the time-tested ETA caliber 2836-2. Applied indices filled with SuperLuminova sit atop a blue sunburst dial. They are joined by hands for the hours, minutes, and seconds. The second hand, numerals on the minute track, and "Chronometer" inscription all stand out in bright red, contrasting beautifully against the dark dial.

This timepiece comes on a stainless steel bracelet with a butterfly clasp. Plan to spend around 1,100 USD on a never-worn example. Pre-owned watches change hands for as little as 910 USD.