The must-have Macro Loupe for all watch lovers

Iconic watch art prints. Made in Switzerland, lifetime guarantee

What a look, this CADOLA! Very original indexes, broad arrow hands, a second hand with a red tip, a very thin bezel, a lovely case shape with beveled lugs, and a magnificent patina.
CADOLA is a brand I'd heard of a few times, but I hadn't really looked into it.
However, when I saw this one for sale, I couldn't resist. I had to have it in my collection. It also gave me the opportunity to deepen my knowledge of this brand. CADOLA divers from the 1960s are very rare, especially in 20 ATM, as it's a brand that mainly made classic watches and chronographs.
Today, the brand still exists and specializes in vintage-look sports watches, even having a partnership with Cosworth.
Coming back to mine, it has a 38 mm case and a very precise ETA 2472 caliber. I wear it very rarely, but always with immense pleasure.

A rare diver

I was looking for a caliber 11 (Heuer-Breitling-Hamilton-Buren) because I have wanted to have one in my collection for years. But I could not decide, because in my wildest desires, I dreamed of a Breitling Chrono-matic 2130. Except that I know that it is almost impossible to find! I have rarely seen one for sale (on the net or at auction), not even one per year. I even read an article on Breitling where it was written that the 2130 was the rarest Breitling of the 70s, if not the rarest of all Breitlings. In addition, I wanted the black dial version, so with the 2 "gold sunray" counters, but in good condition. Except that on the black dial, the "gold" counters are almost all stained (ugly brown spots form). And finally, in my dreams, I bought him a matte black leather strap. Needless to say, I had a better chance of winning the lottery than finding the rare gem. And yet, after years of patience, I came across this 2130 for sale in Germany. I pinch myself: no, it's not a dream. I immediately contact the seller (not buying it was unthinkable for me), but I still negotiated it down by €300 (it doesn't hurt to try)! So it's a Breitling Chrono-matic reference 2130 from 1978. The 2130, unlike the more common 2110 and 2112, has "lyre" shaped lugs, a bit like on the Speedmaster. It may not seem like much, but it changes the entire appearance of the watch and gives it that indefinable charm. Mine is equipped with caliber 11 (19800 vibrations), but most of the 2130s are equipped with caliber 12 (21600 vibrations and more reliable). There is also a 2130 caliber 15, but with a different dial type. 42 hours of power reserve, 38 mm case, crown on the left, hour and minute counters, no small seconds. This is the first self-winding chronograph.....(I'm getting Zenith fans excited).....that is equipped with a micro-rotor. The movement is very reliable, very quiet, and the winding is very smooth. The condition is exceptional, close to new, because the previous owner wore it very little (1st hand), and so did I. It is a very endearing watch, but unfortunately very rare. It also exists with a white dial with black counters and applied indexes, but it is just as rare. There are also color variations (white or orange) on each hand, and the date is either black or white. That makes for a lot of possible combinations. If you are lucky enough to find one, don't be surprised if it is a little different from mine. Personally, I have yet to find the same configuration as mine in all the photos posted by 2130 owners around the world. To conclude: I have found my holy grail (it always makes you believe in Santa Claus), and you can imagine that it is my favorite watch in my entire collection. I will never sell this watch (yet another 2130 on the market!).

You should always believe in Santa Claus

Another small watch from my collection that's worth a look. CODHOR was founded in 1964. It was a cooperative of watchmakers (hence the name) who made products accessible to all, but without neglecting quality. The brand still exists, by the way.
That's what I love about these vintage watches: no pretensions, but robustness, efficiency, good workmanship, and a beautiful design. Nothing extraordinary, but no hassle. When you decide to put it on your wrist, you wind it up, and it will never let you down. No servicing required (unless you're on the lookout for every second for all your appointments). It's these "small" watches that made me fall in love with vintage.

No hassle

This beautiful DREFFA Genève shines brightly. The outer band of the dial is mirror-treated, the indexes are hollowed out of the dial and polished, and the two equally polished hands end up creating a whole that sparkles in the slightest light. The watch isn't exactly discreet on the wrist, but what a look nonetheless! A beautiful movement and a nice case complete this DREFFA that lives up to its name.

Always quality

A very simple ETERNA, with a very pure design, without any frills. This creates a watch that dates back to the late 1960s, but which stands the test of time without really going out of fashion. In addition, its movement is impressively precise. The 36 mm case also doesn't betray its age. A very beautiful watch that seems eternal and lives up to its name.

Classic but desirable

July 1981, I just turned 14. First summer job and also my first paycheck. I had already scouted watch shops in my town a few weeks earlier, and I had already chosen the watch I would buy at the end of the month. And as soon as I got my paycheck, I rushed out and bought this Emile Pequignet Equus.
Why this choice? At 14, this watch looked rather classic, almost like an "old man's watch." But I didn't care about what others thought. I was buying a watch for myself, not for others.
At the time, I was already passionate about watches, and there was one watch I really loved: the Hermes Arceau.
I obviously didn't have the budget to buy one, but it made me dream. And somehow, this Emile Pequignet had a hint of Hermes (at least that's what I tried to make myself believe). And since the watchmaker who sold it to me was an AD of the brand, he explained the history of Pequignet and the quality of the product, which finally persuaded me to buy it. The price was not insignificant for the time.
I only kept it on my wrist for a year, but I wore it every day, even to school. I loved this watch and the very classy look of the dial, the finesse of its case, and its precision. Then I moved on. And seven years later, I bought myself a Hermes Arceau for my 21st birthday. The circle was complete.
Today, when I look at the Pequignet, it reminds me of my youth. It is just as it was then, with very minimal signs of wear and its original leather strap signed Péquignet. Still as beautiful as ever!

Looking back on my youth

Mido is a Swiss watch brand founded in 1918 in Biel/Bienne by Georges G. Schaeren; now part of Swatch Group and based in Le Locle, it built a reputation on practical, durable watchmaking (water-resistance, shock and magnetic protection) established as early as the interwar years, then on staple lines&mdash;Multifort, Commander, Ocean Star and Baroncelli&mdash;that still anchor the contemporary range.
<h3>Multifort 1934, Aquadura 1930: tool-watch thinking before it had a name</h3>
In the 1930s Mido developed a treated-cork crown-stem seal&mdash;later dubbed Aquadura&mdash;that protected the winding system, a rare solution at the time aimed at un-fussy daily use, and this practical innovation became a cornerstone of the brand&rsquo;s toughness narrative.
In 1934 the Multifort line brought together automatic winding, water-resistance, shock protection and anti-magnetism in a single watch, placing Mido on a pragmatic, use-first path, and this &ldquo;all-terrain&rdquo; synthesis became the company&rsquo;s best-seller from the 1930s into the 1950s.&nbsp;Independent American testing in the 1930s further underpinned this stance, with communications that favoured proof in use over hyperbole, and that culture of trial and endurance still colours how the Multifort name is read today.
<h3>Commander 1959, Ocean Star and monocoque construction</h3>
Launched in 1959, the Mido Commander features a monocoque case with an integrated Milanese bracelet and period logo, a set of hallmarks for a model produced without interruption since inception, and this unusual continuity makes it a quiet Swiss staple.
In the same spirit of simple robustness, the Ocean Star family&mdash;whose historic pieces leverage one-piece cases and in-house sealing&mdash;anchors Mido&rsquo;s maritime identity, and the brand updates that chapter today with divers rated up to 600 m and GMT variants.&nbsp;
The modern Ocean Star 600 Chronometer adds a helium valve, technical bezel and, depending on versions, chronometer certification, showing the historic DNA translated into credible specifications, and this coherence strengthens the range&rsquo;s appeal for frequent waterside wear.&nbsp;
<h3>Baroncelli and &ldquo;Inspired by Architecture&rdquo;: classicism and emblematic places</h3>
Since 2002 Mido has embraced an explicit architecture link&mdash;kicked off by the All Dial line inspired by Rome&rsquo;s Colosseum&mdash;that guides design beyond mere d&eacute;cor, and this approach has spawned anniversary series across several core families.
The Mido Baroncelli, introduced in 1976, embodies the brand&rsquo;s dress side, with editions that dialog with the Rennes Opera House among other cues, and these balanced proportions pair well with modern movements for everyday formality.
The &ldquo;architecture&rdquo; thread also reads as a language of calm lines, understated dials and contained volumes echoed by Commander, All Dial, Multifort and Ocean Star, and this disciplined drawing avoids short-lived trends in favour of a readable identity
<h3>Modern mechanics: Caliber 80, silicon and chronometer certification</h3>
At the core of recent collections, Caliber 80 delivers roughly 80 hours of power reserve and, in its Chronometer Silicon guise, a silicon balance spring with anti-magnetic properties, with COSC-certified variants by model, and the result signals a clear focus on stability and accuracy in use.
This architecture serves both sport and dress lines (Ocean Star, Multifort, Baroncelli, Commander), with water-resistance and regulation tuned to each scenario, and the net effect is a more legible line-up for buyers cross-shopping families.
Select references add useful complications&mdash;local-jumping GMT, chronometer timing, decompression bezel&mdash;without bloat, and this functional restraint stays true to Mido&rsquo;s historic tool-watch culture.
<h3>Today&rsquo;s families and quick orientation</h3>
To navigate the catalogue, start with each lineage&rsquo;s signature and two or three concrete use points, and the short list below gathers distinctive landmarks for an efficient first pass.
<ul>
<li>Mido Multifort &mdash; heir to the 1934 &ldquo;all-terrain&rdquo; watch; versatile sport, shock/magnetic resistance, long-reserve automatics (Caliber 80).</li>
<li>Mido Commander 1959 &mdash; monocoque case, integrated Milanese bracelet, unbroken production since 1959; readable, relaxed-dress.</li>
<li>Mido Ocean Star 600 Chronometer &mdash; 600 m, helium valve, serious dive spec; intensive water/sport use.</li>
<li>Mido Ocean Star GMT &mdash; Caliber 80 C07.661 with local-jump hour, 80 h, clear 24-hour read; travel and multi-time work.</li>
<li>Mido Baroncelli Chronometer Silicon &mdash; classic dress, silicon balance, COSC variants and extended warranty; office and formal wear.</li>
<li>Mido All Dial &mdash; born 2002, Colosseum-inspired; layered &ldquo;bezel-less&rdquo; dial architecture with a distinct stance.</li>
<li>Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 &mdash; reissue of a historic rainbow decompression dial; leisure diving and heritage.</li>
</ul>
This overview doesn&rsquo;t exhaust the range, but it lets you oppose &ldquo;water-sport,&rdquo; &ldquo;urban-sport,&rdquo; and &ldquo;dress&rdquo; at a glance, and this framework helps you prioritise criteria before trying pieces on.
<h3>Positioning, indicative prices and distribution</h3>
Mido sits in Swatch Group&rsquo;s Swiss mid-core, with public prices that, depending on family and market, roughly span &euro;800 to &euro;1,600 (e.g., Commander 1959 around $860 in the U.S.; Ocean Star GMT listed between ~CHF 1,190 and ~CHF 1,400), and this middle ground targets serious, durable watches without prestige bloat.
Distribution blends the official e-shop, authorised retailers and the group&rsquo;s global network, alongside structured after-sales and long-term parts support, and this footprint reassures buyers about maintenance well into the second decade.&nbsp;Annual production volumes are not disclosed, but the depth of the line and worldwide presence imply steady output paced by launches, and the addressable audience spans first-time buyers and seasoned wearers alike.
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
Mido suits those after durable, legible, properly engineered watches, with clearly drawn families and pertinent tech choices (historic Aquadura, monocoque cases, Caliber 80, silicon balances). Identify your dominant use to oppose Ocean Star (water/travel), Multifort/Commander (urban-sport) and Baroncelli (dress), then tune size and strap. The brand&rsquo;s &ldquo;function over fuss&rdquo; ethos makes it recognisable without theatrics. To align your pick with lived ownership, a helpful compass remains Dialicious customer reviews.
Mido is part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_swiss_watch_brands">ranking of the most popular Swiss watch brands</a>.
(Updated August 2025)

A gift from my wife, this Mido is the watch I wear the most at the moment because I find it so great. I like its perfectly round and lugless 37 mm case, its very flexible bracelet that gives the impression of being integrated. I also like its dial with a deeper sunburst center. And I especially like its precision due to its superb movement: the 1189 Hi-Beat caliber of 36000 A/h (ETA 2837 base), chronometer certified and adjusted to 6 positions. Put on the timegrapher, the precision is -4s/d (so still COSC standards). Not bad for a vintage! Mido released a reissue of this watch. which I really liked. But my wife, knowing me, preferred to buy me the original, and she was right. Really a beautiful quality watch. I love it!

An original stopwatch

La marque&nbsp;Serica a &eacute;t&eacute; cr&eacute;&eacute;e en 2019 par J&eacute;r&ocirc;me Burget et 3 amis &agrave; Paris, en France. Le nom Serica vient d'une r&eacute;gion perdue au bout de l'Extr&ecirc;me-Orient que les Grecs et les Romains avaient baptis&eacute;e ainsi. Ce lieu fait &eacute;cho &agrave; la gen&egrave;se de la marque, qui vise &agrave; concevoir des montres m&eacute;caniques de qualit&eacute; au style n&eacute;or&eacute;tro, pr&ecirc;tes &agrave; vous suivre aux confins du monde.
La gamme comprend des montres telles que la <a title="Page Serica 4512" href="https://www.dialicious.com/serica/4512">Serica 4512</a>, la <a title="Page Serica 5303" href="https://www.dialicious.com/serica/5303">Serica 5303</a> et la <a title="Page Serica 8315 GMT Chronom&egrave;tre" href="https://www.dialicious.com/serica/8315">Serica 8315</a>. L'une des particularit&eacute;s de cette marque est que son nom n'appara&icirc;t nulle part sur le cadran, afin de pousser le passionn&eacute; &agrave; acheter un design, des finitions et des proportions, et pas seulement un nom. En juillet 2023, Serica a lanc&eacute; la Serica 5303 COSC une version chronom&egrave;tre certifi&eacute;e par le Contr&ocirc;le Officiel Suisse des Chronom&egrave;tres.
Leur avant-dernier mod&egrave;le est la <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/serica/6190">Serica 6190</a> surfant sur les bases de la 1&egrave;re r&eacute;f&eacute;rence de la marque, la Serica 4512. Cette 6190 &eacute;pouse les codes stylistiques de la marque, des anses lyres, un choix de cadrans diff&eacute;rents et la possibilit&eacute; de choisir la position de la couronne &agrave; 3 heures ou en mode "Destro" &agrave; 9 heures. Cette Serica 6190 est &eacute;quip&eacute; du calibre Soprod M100 certifi&eacute; COSC (Contr&ocirc;le Officiel Suisse des Chronom&egrave;tres) &agrave; l'intar des productions actuelles des autres mod&egrave;les 5303 et 8315.&nbsp;
Depuis le 21 novembre 2024, Serica propose une nouvelle collection tr&egrave;s audacieuse...&nbsp;Une montre habill&eacute;e sortant des sentiers battus nomm&eacute;e "Parade" sous la r&eacute;f&eacute;rence 1174. Ces 4 chiffres, comme toutes les autres r&eacute;f&eacute;rences Serica, propose une symbolique issue du nombre d'or ou divines proportions dont le ratio entre la longeur et la largeur sont de 1,174... Une nouveaut&eacute; propos&eacute;e en pr&eacute;-commande &agrave; 1,490 &euro; pour une livraison pr&eacute;vue en Mars 2025...
<h2>Quel est le prix d'une montre Serica ?</h2>
Les prix des montres Serica &eacute;voluent et diff&eacute;rent selon les mod&egrave;les. La plupart co&ucirc;tent entre 990 &euro; et 1,890 &euro; selon les mod&egrave;les et finitions. Le mod&egrave;le GMT de la marque, Serica 8315 GMT Chronom&egrave;tre co&ucirc;te 1,890 &euro; tandis que le dernier mod&egrave;le lanc&eacute; par Serica, la r&eacute;f&eacute;rence <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/serica/6190">6190</a> est propos&eacute;e &agrave; 990 &euro;.
Serica est ind&eacute;pendante et produit environ 5,000 montres par an, tous mod&egrave;les confondus. Serica fait partie du <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/top/les_meilleures_marques_de_montres_francaises">Top 10 des marques de montres fran&ccedil;aises les plus populaires</a>, ainsi que du <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/top/les_meilleures_micro_marques_de_montres">Classement des meilleures micro-marques de montres</a>. Pour choisir le mod&egrave;le Serica qui vous correspond le mieux,&nbsp;les avis clients Dialicious sont une ressource essentielle pour &eacute;valuer les diff&eacute;rents mod&egrave;les &agrave; travers l'exp&eacute;rience r&eacute;elle des clients
(Mise &agrave; jour Novembre 2024)

The brand Serica was created in 2019 by J&eacute;r&ocirc;me Burget and 3 friends in Paris, France. The name Serica comes from a lost region at the end of the Far East that the Greeks and Romans named it like this. This place echoes the genesis of the brand, which aims to design quality mechanical watches in a neo-retro style, ready to follow you to the ends of the world.
The range includes watches such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/4512">Serica 4512</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/5303">Serica 5303</a> and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/8315">Serica 8315</a>. One of the particularities of this brand is that its name does not appear anywhere on the dial, in order to encourage the enthusiast to buy a design, finishes and proportions, and not just a name. In July 2023, Serica launched the Serica 5303 COSC, a chronometer version certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute.
The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/6190">Serica 6190</a> surfing on the bases of the brand's first reference, the Serica 4512. This 6190 follows the stylistic codes of the brand, lyre lugs, a choice of different dials and the possibility of choosing the position of the crown at 3 o'clock or at &ldquo;Destro&rdquo; mode at 9 o&rsquo;clock. This Serica 6190 is powered with the Soprod M100 caliber COSC (Official Swiss Chronometer Certification) certified, like the current productions of the other 5303 and 8315 models.&nbsp;
Since November 21, 2024, Serica has been offering a very daring new collection... A dress watch off the beaten track called &ldquo;Parade&rdquo; under the reference 1174. These 4 figures, like all other Serica references, offer a symbolism derived from the golden number or divine proportions whose ratio between length and width is 1.174... A novelty offered for pre-order at &euro; 1,490 for one delivery planned for March 2025...
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does a Serica watch cost?</h2>
The prices of Serica watches change and differ depending on the model. Most cost between &euro; 990 and &euro; 1,890 depending on the models and finishes. The brand's GMT model, Serica 8315 GMT Chronometer costs &euro; 1,890 while the latest model launched by Serica, the reference&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/6190">6190</a> is offered to &euro; 990.
Serica is independent and produces around 5,000 watches per year, all models combined. Serica is part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://preprod.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_french_watch_brands">Top 10 most popular French watch brands</a>, as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_micro_watch_brands">ranking the best micro watch brands</a>. To choose the Serica model that best suits you, <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/5303">Serica 5303 reviews</a>, <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/4512">Serica 4512 reviews</a>, <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/6190">Serica 6190 reviews</a> or <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/serica/8315">Serica 8315 reviews</a> are an #1 resource for evaluating different models through real customer experience.
(Updated December 2025)

Mido Commander Chronometer Owner Review : Remarkable, precise and superb

An original stopwatch

Pros & Cons for this watch

Where to buy your Mido?

YOU ARE :

Other reviews published by Gilou

Cadola

Breitling
Chrono-Matic

Codhor
Robust

Dreffa

Eterna

Customize your Mido with our selection of accessories:

Eagle Eye Watches

Iconic Switzerland

Mido Commander Chronometer Owner Review : Remarkable, precise and superb

An original stopwatch

Pros & Cons for this watch

Where to buy your Mido?

YOU ARE :

Other reviews published by Gilou

Cadola

BreitlingChrono-Matic

CodhorRobust

Dreffa

Eterna

Customize your Mido with our selection of accessories:

Eagle Eye Watches

Iconic Switzerland

Breitling
Chrono-Matic

Codhor
Robust