Mido

Mido

Discover Mido, a Swiss manufacturer founded in 1918 whose name comes from the Spanish 'Yo mido' — 'I measure.' Built on technical innovation like the Aquadura crown-sealing system and single-piece monocoque case, many of its collections draw direct inspiration from architecture.

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Mido Information and FAQ

About Mido Watches

Mido is a Swiss watch manufacturer founded in 1918 by watchmaker Georges Schaeren, with a name drawn from the Spanish phrase "Yo mido" — "I measure." Now part of the Swatch Group, Mido has built its reputation on genuine technical innovation, including the Aquadura crown-sealing system, which uses specially treated natural cork to waterproof watches, and the single-piece "monocoque" case first introduced on the 1959 Ocean Star. Many of Mido's collections, including the Commander and Perfection lines, draw direct inspiration from architecture, reflecting the brand's blend of engineering and design. King Jewelers is proud to carry Mido for customers seeking genuine Swiss craftsmanship and thoughtful design at an accessible price point.

History of Mido

Mido was founded on November 11, 1918 — the same day World War I officially ended — by Swiss watchmaker Georges Schaeren, who took the brand's name from the Spanish phrase "Yo mido," meaning "I measure." The company's early years produced elegant Art Deco women's watches and playful novelty pieces shaped like automobile radiator grilles, appealing to the era's growing car culture. Mido's real breakthrough came in the 1930s with the invention of the Aquadura system, which used specially treated natural cork to seal the watch crown against water — one of the earliest solutions to watch waterproofing. That innovation led directly to the 1934 Multifort, one of the first watches to combine automatic winding, anti-magnetic protection, shock resistance, and water resistance in a single model, and later to the 1959 Ocean Star, which introduced a single-piece "monocoque" case that eliminated leak points at the caseback entirely — a design that still lives on in Mido's Commander collection today. After joining the Swatch Group in the 1980s, Mido continued to build on its engineering-driven identity, developing collections like Commander and Perfection that draw direct inspiration from architecture and design. Now headquartered in Le Locle, Switzerland, Mido remains known for pairing genuine technical innovation with accessible pricing within the Swatch Group's portfolio.

Mido Collections

Ocean Star: Inspired by the Gibraltar Lighthouse, this collection serves to assist those who want to conquer the ocean.

Baroncelli: A collection of timeless and elegant watches inspired by statues and monuments and caters to men and women.

Commander: A collection of watches for men and women created in 1959 and inspired by the beloved Eiffel Tower.

Multifort: A collection of Swiss watches that echo the aesthetics of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and symbolize force and strength.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mido Watches

Where can I buy Mido in Nashville, TN?
Mido is available at King Jewelers in Nashville, Tennessee. Visit our showroom at 4121 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215, to explore the collection in person, or shop online at kingjewelers.com. For questions about availability, call (615) 724-5464.

Is Mido a luxury watch brand?
Yes. Mido is a Swiss luxury watch manufacturer founded in 1918 and is part of the Swatch Group. The brand is renowned for producing high-quality Swiss mechanical watches that combine technical innovation, timeless design, and exceptional value.

Is Mido a good watch brand?
Yes. Mido is widely regarded as one of the best values in Swiss watchmaking. Watch enthusiasts appreciate the brand for its reliable automatic movements, strong build quality, impressive power reserves, and nearly 100 years of innovation in mechanical watchmaking.

Are Mido watches worth the investment?
Many collectors consider Mido watches an outstanding value because they offer Swiss craftsmanship, dependable automatic movements, premium materials, and timeless styling at an accessible luxury price. Their combination of heritage and engineering makes them a popular choice for both first-time buyers and experienced enthusiasts.

What makes Mido watches unique?
Mido is known for combining technical innovation with architecture-inspired design. Since 1918, the brand has developed pioneering technologies in water resistance, shock protection, and automatic movements while creating watches inspired by iconic buildings and timeless architecture.

Are Mido watches Swiss made?
Yes. Every Mido watch is Swiss made and manufactured according to Switzerland's rigorous standards for quality and precision. The brand designs and assembles its watches in Switzerland using Swiss automatic and quartz movements.

What are Mido's most popular watch collections?
Mido's best-known collections include Multifort, Ocean Star, Commander, Baroncelli, Belluna, and Multifort TV Big Date. These collections range from elegant dress watches to professional dive watches and sport-inspired mechanical timepieces.

What is the Mido Caliber 80 movement?
The Caliber 80 is one of Mido's signature automatic movements, offering an impressive power reserve of up to 80 hours — significantly longer than many traditional automatic movements. Select versions also feature a silicon balance spring and COSC-certified chronometer accuracy.

How does Mido compare to other Swiss watch brands?
Mido is often compared with Longines, Tissot, Certina, Hamilton, and Oris. While each brand has its own strengths, Mido is especially recognized for its architecture-inspired designs, long power reserve movements, excellent value, and understated Swiss craftsmanship.

What is Mido known for?
Mido is best known for its architecture-inspired watches, the historic Multifort collection, the Ocean Star dive watches, and innovative technologies such as the Aquadura crown sealing system and Caliber 80 automatic movement. The brand has built its reputation on producing durable, reliable Swiss mechanical watches with timeless appeal.

How long do Mido watches last?
With proper care and regular servicing, a Mido watch can last for generations. Its Swiss mechanical movements are engineered for long-term reliability, and routine maintenance helps preserve their precision and performance for decades.