The must-have Macro Loupe for all watch lovers

Iconic watch art prints. Made in Switzerland, lifetime guarantee

For some time now, the desire to own a watch with a dial patinated by time had been nagging at me. This Multifort Extra Thin, hand-wound model, dating from the late 1940s or early 1950s, literally jumped out at me at first sight.

Its champagne and ivory dial, animated by hands still slightly blued, and featuring a small seconds subdial discreetly positioned at six o'clock, immediately resonated with my watchmaking enthusiast heart.

This sublime Mido is enhanced by a steel Oyster-style expandable bracelet that suits it perfectly. Its 34mm case, with its restrained proportions, further accentuates its vintage charm and period elegance. And let's be honest, small watches have a truly undeniable cool factor.

Mido Multifort from 1950, the true charm of vintage!

This Aquastar Model 60 Re-Edition embodies, in my eyes, the ideal diver's watch.

Its harmonious proportions, particularly its 37 mm case, combined with its rich and authentic history, make it much more than just a watch: it's a true piece of watchmaking heritage!

Looking for a new diver's watch to enrich my young collection, I wanted a model capable of combining everything that excites me: the prestige of a legendary skin diver, the elegance of a subtly revisited vintage design, and the reliability of a modern watch. The G100 caliber from La Joux-Perret, with its beautiful 68-hour power reserve, completes this perfect balance.

What I also (and above all) like is that Aquastar, despite its true watchmaking history, remains a somewhat confidential brand. I like this discretion, this feeling of owning a piece that few know about, and the fact that I'm often asked, "What is this watch?" » only adds to its charm.

A confidential killer from Black Bay!

<p><strong>Mido</strong> is a Swiss watch brand founded in <strong>1918</strong> 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.</p>
<h3>Multifort 1934, Aquadura 1930: tool-watch thinking before it had a name</h3>
<p>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 <strong>this practical innovation became a cornerstone of the brand&rsquo;s toughness narrative</strong>.</p>
<p>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 <strong>this &ldquo;all-terrain&rdquo; synthesis became the company&rsquo;s best-seller from the 1930s into the 1950s</strong>.&nbsp;Independent American testing in the 1930s further underpinned this stance, with communications that favoured proof in use over hyperbole, and <strong>that culture of trial and endurance still colours how the Multifort name is read today</strong>.</p>
<h3>Commander 1959, Ocean Star and monocoque construction</h3>
<p>Launched in 1959, the <strong>Mido Commander</strong> 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 <strong>this unusual continuity makes it a quiet Swiss staple</strong>.</p>
<p>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 <strong>the brand updates that chapter today with divers rated up to 600 m and GMT variants</strong>.&nbsp;</p>
<p>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 <strong>this coherence strengthens the range&rsquo;s appeal for frequent waterside wear</strong>.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Baroncelli and &ldquo;Inspired by Architecture&rdquo;: classicism and emblematic places</h3>
<p>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 <strong>this approach has spawned anniversary series across several core families</strong>.</p>
<p>The <strong>Mido Baroncelli</strong>, introduced in 1976, embodies the brand&rsquo;s dress side, with editions that dialog with the Rennes Opera House among other cues, and <strong>these balanced proportions pair well with modern movements for everyday formality</strong>.</p>
<p>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 <strong>this disciplined drawing avoids short-lived trends in favour of a readable identity</strong></p>
<h3>Modern mechanics: Caliber 80, silicon and chronometer certification</h3>
<p>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 <strong>the result signals a clear focus on stability and accuracy in use</strong>.</p>
<p>This architecture serves both sport and dress lines (Ocean Star, Multifort, Baroncelli, Commander), with water-resistance and regulation tuned to each scenario, and <strong>the net effect is a more legible line-up for buyers cross-shopping families</strong>.</p>
<p>Select references add useful complications&mdash;local-jumping GMT, chronometer timing, decompression bezel&mdash;without bloat, and <strong>this functional restraint stays true to Mido&rsquo;s historic tool-watch culture</strong>.</p>
<h3>Today&rsquo;s families and quick orientation</h3>
<p>To navigate the catalogue, start with each lineage&rsquo;s signature and two or three concrete use points, and <strong>the short list below gathers distinctive landmarks for an efficient first pass</strong>.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Mido Multifort</strong> &mdash; heir to the 1934 &ldquo;all-terrain&rdquo; watch; versatile sport, shock/magnetic resistance, long-reserve automatics (Caliber 80).</li>
<li><strong>Mido Commander 1959</strong> &mdash; monocoque case, integrated Milanese bracelet, unbroken production since 1959; readable, relaxed-dress.</li>
<li><strong>Mido Ocean Star 600 Chronometer</strong> &mdash; 600 m, helium valve, serious dive spec; intensive water/sport use.</li>
<li><strong>Mido Ocean Star GMT</strong> &mdash; Caliber 80 C07.661 with local-jump hour, 80 h, clear 24-hour read; travel and multi-time work.</li>
<li><strong>Mido Baroncelli Chronometer Silicon</strong> &mdash; classic dress, silicon balance, COSC variants and extended warranty; office and formal wear.</li>
<li><strong>Mido All Dial</strong> &mdash; born 2002, Colosseum-inspired; layered &ldquo;bezel-less&rdquo; dial architecture with a distinct stance.</li>
<li><strong>Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961</strong> &mdash; reissue of a historic rainbow decompression dial; leisure diving and heritage.</li>
</ul>
<p>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 <strong>this framework helps you prioritise criteria before trying pieces on</strong>.</p>
<h3>Positioning, indicative prices and distribution</h3>
<p>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 <strong>this middle ground targets serious, durable watches without prestige bloat</strong>.</p>
<p>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 <strong>this footprint reassures buyers about maintenance well into the second decade</strong>.&nbsp;Annual production volumes are <em>not disclosed</em>, but the depth of the line and worldwide presence imply steady output paced by launches, and <strong>the addressable audience spans first-time buyers and seasoned wearers alike</strong>.</p>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p><strong>Mido suits those after durable, legible, properly engineered watches,</strong> 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. <strong>To align your pick with lived ownership, a helpful compass remains Dialicious customer reviews.</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">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>.</p>
<p>(Updated August 2025)</p>

Acquired at the end of 2021, this watch is my first and only Mido to date, a brand of the Swatch group. ETA C07.621 movement, 40.4mm diameter, 47.5 lug-to-lug, 12.2mm thickness, 63gr weight, sapphire crystal, 5atm… => excellent specs for this dress watch at a reasonable price (less than €800). The blue and degraded sunray dial is beautiful, undoubtedly the most striking point of this watch. Also with the profile and the brushed steel lugs, contrasting superbly with the polished case. A particularly appreciated detail, the rounded shape of the crown. The movement adjustment is excellent and durable (80 hours of power reserve). However, I regret the 19mm lug spacing and the absence of anti-reflective coating on the main domed glass.

Elegant have a sublime dial

I tried it on a whim, without much conviction, but it was an instant hit as soon as I put it on my wrist. It was love at first sight.

Its textured, shifting green sandwich dial is truly captivating, dynamic, and simply beautiful. The large date at 12 o'clock is a perfect example of integrating this complication, especially today, as it's the 12th!
The large date is a relatively recent complication in watchmaking and quite uncommon, especially at this price point, which is also what makes this watch so special.
The legibility is perfect, and it's particularly versatile thanks to the different straps: sporty rubber, sporty chic like a steel strap, and dressy leather.
One flaw, one limitation perhaps... a chamfer on the case? But the choice of this raw, uncomplicated shape is also understandable.

Love at first sight every day!

<p><strong>Atelier Wen</strong> est une marque horlog&egrave;re ind&eacute;pendante qui s'est distingu&eacute;e par son approche novatrice, alliant le riche patrimoine culturel chinois &agrave; une horlogerie de haute qualit&eacute;. Fond&eacute;e par deux passionn&eacute;s de la culture chinoise, Thomas Gronenthal et Robin Tallendier, la marque vise &agrave; red&eacute;finir la perception des montres "Made in China" en mettant en avant l'excellence artisanale du pays.</p>
<h3><strong>Philosophie et Mission</strong></h3>
<p>L'objectif principal d'Atelier Wen est de c&eacute;l&eacute;brer l'artisanat chinois en cr&eacute;ant des montres qui refl&egrave;tent l'h&eacute;ritage culturel et l'expertise technique du pays. La marque cherche &agrave; offrir des garde-temps de luxe qui int&egrave;grent des &eacute;l&eacute;ments de design chinois authentiques, tout en maintenant des standards &eacute;lev&eacute;s de qualit&eacute; et de pr&eacute;cision.</p>
<h3><strong>Collections Principales</strong></h3>
<p><em>1. Porcelain Odyssey</em></p>
<p>La collection "Porcelain Odyssey" est la premi&egrave;re s&eacute;rie de montres lanc&eacute;e par Atelier Wen. Ces montres se distinguent par leurs <strong>cadrans en porcelaine v&eacute;ritable</strong>, fabriqu&eacute;s selon des techniques traditionnelles chinoises. Les mod&egrave;les "Ji" et "Hao" pr&eacute;sentent des motifs inspir&eacute;s de l'art chinois, offrant une esth&eacute;tique unique qui rend hommage &agrave; la riche histoire du pays.</p>
<p><em>2. Perception</em></p>
<p>La collection "Perception" incarne l'engagement d'Atelier Wen envers l'horlogerie de luxe. Ces montres arborent des cadrans guilloch&eacute;s r&eacute;alis&eacute;s &agrave; la main par le ma&icirc;tre artisan Cheng Yucai, <strong>le seul ma&icirc;tre guillocheur de Chine</strong>. Chaque cadran n&eacute;cessite environ huit heures de travail minutieux sur des machines &agrave; guillocher sp&eacute;cialement con&ccedil;ues. Les mod&egrave;les de cette collection sont disponibles en trois couleurs de cadran : bleu clair ("Piao"), saumon ("Xia") et gris ("Ying").</p>
<h3><strong>Caract&eacute;ristiques Techniques</strong></h3>
<p>Les montres Atelier Wen sont con&ccedil;ues avec une attention particuli&egrave;re aux d&eacute;tails et &agrave; la qualit&eacute;. Les bo&icirc;tiers, souvent en acier inoxydable 904L, offrent une r&eacute;sistance accrue &agrave; la corrosion et une finition polie exceptionnelle. Les dimensions typiques incluent <strong>un diam&egrave;tre de 40 mm, une &eacute;paisseur de 9,4 mm</strong> et une distance de corne &agrave; corne de 47 mm, assurant un port confortable sur une vari&eacute;t&eacute; de poignets. Les montres sont &eacute;galement &eacute;tanches jusqu'&agrave; 100 m&egrave;tres, ce qui les rend polyvalentes pour une utilisation quotidienne.</p>
<h3><strong>Mouvement</strong></h3>
<p>Les garde-temps de la collection "Perception" sont &eacute;quip&eacute;s du <strong>calibre automatique SL1588, fabriqu&eacute; par Dandong</strong>. Ce mouvement bat &agrave; une fr&eacute;quence de 28 800 alternances par heure et offre une r&eacute;serve de marche d'environ 41 heures. Bien que relativement nouveau sur le march&eacute;, ce calibre a &eacute;t&eacute; choisi pour sa fiabilit&eacute; et sa pr&eacute;cision, refl&eacute;tant l'engagement d'Atelier Wen envers l'innovation et la qualit&eacute;.</p>
<h3><strong>Bracelet et Confort</strong></h3>
<p>Les montres Atelier Wen sont dot&eacute;es de bracelets int&eacute;gr&eacute;s en acier inoxydable, con&ccedil;us pour assurer <strong>une transition fluide entre le bo&icirc;tier et le bracelet</strong>. Les maillons sont finement chanfrein&eacute;s et polis, offrant une esth&eacute;tique luxueuse et un confort optimal. La version 2.0 de la collection "Perception" a introduit des am&eacute;liorations notables, notamment des chanfreins faits main sur tous les maillons internes, renfor&ccedil;ant ainsi l'apparence haut de gamme du bracelet.</p>
<h3><strong>Collaborations et &Eacute;ditions Limit&eacute;es</strong></h3>
<p>Atelier Wen a &eacute;galement explor&eacute; des collaborations pour offrir <strong>des &eacute;ditions limit&eacute;es uniques</strong>. Par exemple, en partenariat avec Revolution, la marque a lanc&eacute; des mod&egrave;les en titane avec des cadrans jaunes et rouges vibrants, chacun limit&eacute; &agrave; 100 pi&egrave;ces. Une autre collaboration notable inclut une &eacute;dition sp&eacute;ciale avec Wristcheck et seconde/seconde/, pr&eacute;sentant un design ludique et innovant qui refl&egrave;te l'engagement de la marque envers la cr&eacute;ativit&eacute; et l'artisanat.</p>
<h3><strong>R&eacute;ception et Impact</strong></h3>
<p>Depuis son lancement, Atelier Wen a re&ccedil;u des &eacute;loges pour sa capacit&eacute; &agrave; fusionner l'esth&eacute;tique chinoise traditionnelle avec l'horlogerie moderne. La marque a r&eacute;ussi &agrave; <strong>changer la perception du "Made in China"</strong> en d&eacute;montrant que l'artisanat chinois peut rivaliser avec les standards internationaux les plus &eacute;lev&eacute;s. Les critiques ont salu&eacute; la qualit&eacute; de fabrication, le design distinctif et l'approche innovante de la marque.</p>
<h3><strong>Conclusion</strong></h3>
<p>Atelier Wen repr&eacute;sente une <strong>fusion r&eacute;ussie de la tradition culturelle chinoise et de l'horlogerie contemporaine</strong>. En mettant l'accent sur l'artisanat, la qualit&eacute; et le design, la marque a &eacute;tabli une identit&eacute; unique dans le monde de l'horlogerie de luxe. Que ce soit &agrave; travers des cadrans en porcelaine d&eacute;licatement fabriqu&eacute;s ou des motifs guilloch&eacute;s complexes, chaque montre raconte une histoire qui honore le riche h&eacute;ritage de la Chine tout en r&eacute;pondant aux attentes des passionn&eacute;s de montres modernes.</p>
<p>Inspirez-vous des <strong>avis clients Dialicious</strong> pour choisir la montre qui vous ressemble.</p>
<p>(Mise &agrave; jour Mars 2025)</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Atelier Wen</strong> is an independent watch brand that has distinguished itself by its innovative approach, combining China's rich cultural heritage with high-quality watchmaking. Founded by <strong>two enthusiasts of Chinese culture</strong>, Thomas Gronenthal and Robin Tallendier, the brand aims to redefine the perception of "Made in China" watches by highlighting the country's artisanal excellence.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Philosophy and Mission</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Atelier Wen's main goal is to celebrate Chinese craftsmanship by creating watches that reflect the <strong>country's cultural heritage </strong>and technical expertise. The brand seeks to offer luxury timepieces that incorporate authentic Chinese design elements, while maintaining high standards of quality and precision.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Main Collections</h3>
<p dir="ltr">1. Porcelain Odyssey</p>
<p dir="ltr">The &ldquo;Porcelain Odyssey&rdquo; collection is the first series of watches launched by Atelier Wen. These watches are distinguished by their <strong>real porcelain dials</strong>, made using traditional Chinese techniques. The "Ji" and "Hao" models feature designs inspired by Chinese art, offering a unique aesthetic that pays homage to the country's rich history.</p>
<p dir="ltr">2. Perception</p>
<p dir="ltr">The &ldquo;Perception&rdquo; collection embodies Atelier Wen&rsquo;s commitment to luxury watchmaking. These watches feature guilloche dials handcrafted by master craftsman Cheng Yucai, <strong>the only master guilloche maker in China</strong>. Each dial requires approximately eight hours of painstaking work on specially designed guilloche machines. The models in this collection are available in three dial colors: light blue (&ldquo;Piao&rdquo;), salmon (&ldquo;Xia&rdquo;) and gray (&ldquo;Ying&rdquo;).</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Technical Characteristics</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Atelier Wen watches are designed with attention to detail and quality. Housings, often made from 904L stainless steel, offer increased corrosion resistance and an exceptional polished finish. Typical dimensions include a diameter of <strong>40mm, a thickness of 9.4mm and a lug-to-lug distance</strong> of 47mm, ensuring comfortable wear on a variety of wrists. The watches are also water resistant up to 100 meters, making them versatile for everyday use.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Movement</h3>
<p dir="ltr">The timepieces from the &ldquo;Perception&rdquo; collection are equipped with the automatic <strong>caliber SL1588, manufactured by Dandong</strong>. This movement beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a power reserve of approximately 41 hours. Although relatively new to the market, this caliber was chosen for its reliability and precision, reflecting Atelier Wen's commitment to innovation and quality.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Bracelet and Confort</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Atelier Wen watches feature integrated stainless steel bracelets, designed to provide <strong>a seamless transition between case and bracelet</strong>. The links are finely chamfered and polished, providing a luxurious aesthetic and optimal comfort. Version 2.0 of the "Perception" collection introduced notable improvements, including hand-crafted chamfers on all internal links, reinforcing the premium appearance of the bracelet.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Collaborations and Limited Editions</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Atelier Wen has also explored collaborations to offer <strong>unique limited editions</strong>. For example, in partnership with Revolution, the brand launched titanium models with vibrant yellow and red dials, each limited to 100 pieces. Another notable collaboration includes a special edition with Wristcheck and seconds /seconde/, featuring a playful and innovative design that reflects the brand's commitment to creativity and craftsmanship.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Reception and Impact</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Since its launch, Atelier Wen has received praise for its ability to fuse traditional Chinese aesthetics with modern watchmaking. The brand has succeeded in <strong>changing the perception of "Made in China"</strong> by demonstrating that Chinese craftsmanship can compete with the highest international standards. Reviewers praised the brand's build quality, distinctive design, and innovative approach.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Conclusion</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Atelier Wen represents a successful fusion of Chinese cultural tradition and contemporary watchmaking. With a focus on craftsmanship, quality and design, the brand has established <strong>a unique identity </strong>in the world of luxury watchmaking. Whether through delicately crafted porcelain dials or intricate guilloche patterns, each watch tells a story that honors China's rich heritage while meeting the expectations of modern watch enthusiasts.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Take inspiration from <strong>Dialicious customer reviews </strong>to choose the watch that suits you.</p>
<p dir="ltr">(Updated March 2025)</p>

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