There's something about a good dive watch that just works. Maybe it's the reliable build, the fact that it can handle whatever you throw at it, or simply that clean, functional look that goes with anything from a wetsuit to a button-down shirt. Mido's newest addition to their Ocean Star 200C lineup checks all those boxes while bringing something fresh to the table—a color scheme that won't make you look twice at the price tag but will definitely turn heads.
Image credit: Mido
The Swiss watchmaker has rolled out a new version of their Ocean Star 200C that pulls its inspiration from those final moments before the sun disappears below the horizon. Picture that intense red glow meeting the darkening sky, and you've got the aesthetic they're going for here. It's bold without being flashy, which is a line that's easy to cross but Mido seems to have nailed.
A Legacy Built on Keeping Water Out
Before diving into what makes this particular watch tick, it's worth understanding where it comes from. Mido wasn't just another watchmaker trying to make waterproof cases back in the day. They were actually pioneering the technology in the 1930s with something called the Aquadura cork crown sealing system. While other brands were still figuring things out, Mido had already cracked the code on keeping water where it belongs—on the outside of the watch.
The Ocean Star family itself traces back to the early 1940s. You can spot their watches by the starfish logo, which has become synonymous with their dive watch heritage. Over the decades, the collection has grown to include everything from vintage-inspired pieces to serious professional dive watches rated for 600 meters. The Ocean Star 200C line represents their contemporary approach to dive watches, with that "200" referring to its depth rating in meters and the "C" standing for the ceramic components that set it apart from earlier models.
Image credit: Mido
When Mido introduced the Ocean Star 200C back in 2021, they described it as an all-round 'surf and turf' model. Translation: it's equally at home in the water as it is paired with khakis and a blazer at dinner. The line came with upgraded features including ceramic inserts, textured dials in various colors, and importantly, Swatch Group's calibre 80 movement—a significant step up in terms of reliability and performance.
What Makes This One Different
The newest member of the Ocean Star 200C family doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it does give it a compelling new look. The dial is black with a rippled wave pattern that catches the light in interesting ways. It's subtle enough that you won't feel like you're wearing a costume piece, but textured enough to add visual interest beyond your standard flat dial.
Where things get interesting is the bezel. That intense red ceramic insert doesn't just look good—it's functional and built to last. Ceramic is incredibly scratch-resistant compared to aluminum bezels found on many dive watches in this price range. The unidirectional rotating bezel is a critical safety feature on any dive watch, allowing you to track elapsed time underwater. The knurled edge makes it easy to grip and turn, even with gloves on. Bold white markings handle the timing duties, and there's a luminescent Super-LumiNova dot at the twelve o'clock position for visibility in low light.
Image credit: Mido
The hands and hour markers get a rose gold PVD treatment that adds a touch of warmth against the black dial. It's refined without being dressy, which again speaks to that versatility factor. Both hands and indices are treated with white Super-LumiNova, so you can actually read the thing when the lights go out—a detail that matters more than you'd think if you've ever fumbled with your watch in the dark.
At three o'clock, there's a day and date window with a white background and black numerals. Some purists might prefer a dial without date complications, but for a daily wearer, having that information at a glance is genuinely useful. You're not buying this watch to baby it in a collection—it's meant to be worn and used.
Built Like It Should Be
The case measures 42.5mm in diameter, which hits that sweet spot for most wrists. It's substantial enough to have presence but won't make you feel like you're wearing a dinner plate. At 12.3mm tall, it slides under a cuff reasonably well for a dive watch, though you're not going to mistake it for a dress watch. The lug-to-lug measurement comes in at just over 49mm, which means it should wear comfortably on a variety of wrist sizes without overhanging.
Mido went with brushed finishes throughout the stainless steel case, emphasizing the watch's sports credentials. The screw-down crown is flanked by guards that offer protection from impacts—a practical touch that also adds to the overall tool watch aesthetic. Around back, you'll find a screwed caseback with that signature starfish logo rendered in polished relief, providing a nice contrast to the brushed surfaces elsewhere.
Inside that solid steel caseback sits the Mido calibre 80, which is based on the ETA C07.621. If you follow watches, you know the ETA 2824 architecture has been around forever for good reason—it's proven, serviceable, and reliable. The Powermatic 80 evolution brings some meaningful improvements. The frequency drops to 3Hz, which along with other refinements stretches the power reserve out to 80 hours. That means you can take the watch off Friday night and put it back on Monday morning without needing to reset anything.
The movement also includes a Nivachron balance spring, which provides magnetic resistance. This might sound like technical minutiae, but in our increasingly electronic world filled with magnetic fields from phones, laptops, and speakers, having a movement that won't get scrambled by everyday exposure is more important than ever.
The 200-meter water resistance rating means this watch can handle serious water activities. You could actually dive with it if you wanted, though most owners will probably just appreciate the peace of mind knowing it'll survive a swim, shower, or unexpected rainstorm without breaking a sweat.
Wearing It Daily
The watch ships with a brown leather strap featuring white stitching that complements that red bezel nicely. There's a steel pin buckle with the Mido logo, and the watch uses lug bars for quick strap changes. This is a smart design choice because it means you can swap straps without needing to fiddle with spring bars and potentially scratching your case. Throw on a NATO strap for the weekend, switch to a bracelet for the week, or keep the leather for a more refined look—the versatility is there.
At CHF 990 including tax (which converts to roughly $1,100 USD depending on exchange rates), the Ocean Star 200C represents solid value in the Swiss dive watch space. You're getting a ceramic bezel, a reliable movement with an 80-hour power reserve, sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides, and genuine Swiss watchmaking. There are certainly cheaper dive watches out there, but few offer this combination of features and heritage at this price point.
The Bigger Picture
In a market flooded with dive watches at every conceivable price point, standing out requires either doing something drastically different or executing the fundamentals really well with a distinctive touch. Mido has chosen the latter approach with this newest Ocean Star 200C. The red ceramic bezel isn't revolutionary, but paired with the black wave-textured dial and rose gold accents, it creates a cohesive look that feels both modern and timeless.
This isn't a watch trying to be a Rolex Submariner or Omega Seamaster. It's comfortable being what it is—a well-made, honest dive watch with character and a price that won't require you to explain yourself to your spouse. The sunset color inspiration might sound like marketing speak, but when you see the red ceramic catching light against that dark dial, the comparison makes sense.
The Ocean Star 200C joins the permanent collection, which means this isn't a limited edition you'll need to hunt down or worry about missing. It'll be available at authorized Mido dealers and through their website at midowatches.com. Given Mido's distribution, finding one shouldn't require a waitlist or paying over retail—refreshing in today's watch market.
For someone looking for a capable, attractive dive watch that delivers Swiss quality without the Swiss luxury price tag, this new Ocean Star 200C makes a compelling case. It's a watch you can actually wear and enjoy rather than keeping locked in a safe, which is ultimately what most of us want from a timepiece anyway. Whether you're timing your morning coffee or an actual dive, it'll get the job done with style.
