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When Georges Schaeren founded MIDO one hundred years ago, he set the principles that would allow the Swiss watchmaker to evolve through the years: impeccable quality, always-on innovation philosophy and perfect design. To start this year of celebrations, MIDO launched a Commander Big Date. It reflects the spirit of the company as an international benchmark in terms of watchmaking.

MIDO Commander Big Date, the very best of MIDO.

Mido-Commander-II-watch-zoomOne hundred years is a great anniversary and MIDO decided to make things BIG. With the launch of the Commander Big Date, the Swiss watchmaker capitalized in the great design codes of the Commander and added something new. This new line adopts the codes that have given the Commander its legendary status: a sunray satin-finished dial, protected by an elegant round case in satin-finished stainless steel and enhanced by a polished bezel. The Commander line is a true hymn to iron, to the curves and obliques lines of the Eiffel Tower. This monument is an icon of technical and architectural perfection. Forged to challenge time and space, this legendary construction inspired MIDO to create a timeless design for this true signature collection. One hundred years later, MIDO keeps its search for innovation and iconic design by launching four new variations within the Commander collection:

  • Commander Big Date M021.626.11.031.00 Silver dial, on bracelet
  • Commander Big Date M021.626.11.061.00 Dark Anthracite dial, on bracelet
  • Commander Big Date M021.626.22.031.00 Silver dial With Rose Gold PVD treatment, on bracelet
  • Commander Big Date M021.626.36.051.00 with Dark Anthracite dial, leather strap and PVD treatment

Mido-Commander-Big-Date-collection
The new MIDO Commander Big Date has definitely an outstanding design. The first striking detail is the 42mm case that displays the beautiful craftsmanship of the dial. As part of the DNA of the Commander collection, the dial is Sunray satin-finished, applied polished indexes with white Super-LumiNova®. Let’s note the flat diamond-cut, hour and minute hands with white Super-LumiNova® for easy readability at night. Final but not least, we can see a large polished and sandblasted date aperture at 6 o’clock. This aperture for the date is probably the largest for this range of price. The four variants have set an elegant combination that reflects the importance of such anniversary.

Mido-Commander-II-watch-reviewMido-Commander-II-reviewMido-Commander-Big-Date-review-LAMido-Commander-Big-Date-watch-reviewAnother interesting point is what is inside. The new Commander comes with the MIDO Caliber 80 Automatic Movement (ETA C07.651 base). Here are the main technical details:

  • Ø29.40 mm
  • height: 5.77 mm
  • 25 jewels
  • 21,600 vph
  • ELINFLEX mainspring
  • ELINCHRON II balance-spring
  • Oscillating weight decorated with Geneva stripes and MIDO logo
  • 80 hours of power reserve (3 days)

Mido-Commander-Big-Date-back-caseThis is a very interesting movement that has now a new feature, the big date at 6 o’clock. Seeing the caliber decoration and performance, the price tag for these Commander Big Date is very competitive. Despite the size of the watch, it fits perfectly the anatomy of the wrist and out-stands in any elegant look. The contemporary look of its design and the modernity of the details, makes this watch an icon of modern elegance.

Mido-Commander-II-dial-hands-zoomMido-Commander-II-dial-zoom-dateMIDO, One Hundred Years of innovation

It was on November 11th 1918 that Georges Schaeren founded MIDO in Switzerland. Since that day, MIDO built its path based on innovation, design and impeccable quality. In the 30’s, MIDO launched a watch with unbreakable mainsprings. This was also the first time that any watch brand utilized this type of spring within the market place. After the Second World War, MIDO became the first manufacturer to introduce a central-read chronograph wherein the stop watch function had all its hands arranged at the center. In 1954 the firm launched the world’s most efficient winding mechanism. MIDO released its Commander model in 1959, which showcased a one-piece case design. In 1967 MIDO was distinguished as the maker of the world’s thinnest ladies watch. Today, the Swiss brand is part of the top 10 producers of Certified COSC chronometers (based on COSC reports).  For nearly a century, MIDO has been a global benchmark in Swiss-made mechanical watches. You can read more about MIDO by visiting the official website here: http://www.midowatches.com

Arsene Wargas

Info sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com and made possible by MIDO SA. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.