zelin0802 / March 8, 2023

The new and captivating Gradient Lamido Ocean Star Tribute

An all-encompassing dive fashion watches, now in summery light blue.

Mido has been particularly active in the past few weeks, starting with the recent release of one of the coolest models ever, the Ocean Star Decompression Worldtimer, or the rather impressively equipped Multifort M Chronometer. Well, that doesn’t end there, as the brand discreetly revealed a new version of its vintage-inspired dive watch, the Ocean Star Tribute. Already available in a range of glamorous colors – such as this bold ombre red version, or this military-inspired green version – the collection is back with colorful versions ready for this summer. The Mido Ocean Star with a gradient light blue dial pays homage to the latest model.

This watch isn’t particularly new, we’ve seen a lot of changes in the past. But the latest model to join the range is quite attractive, to say the least. Let’s start with a quick reminder, shall we? The Ocean Star Tribute is part of a range of affordable, well-equipped classic dive watches with very good specifications. There’s nothing groundbreaking or above the competition here, and we’re talking a decently sized 200m water-resistant model with a classic design. If you want something stronger and more powerful, the Ocean Star Diver 600 is the one you should be looking for. fashion watches

With its timeless look, 40.5mm diameter and polished steel case with pointed crown guard, the Ocean Star Tribute revives the style of the 1960s with a contemporary twist. Balanced and well proportioned, it features a box-shaped sapphire crystal, thin unidirectional bezel with aluminum insert and 60-minute scale, screw-down crown and caseback, and 20 bar pressure resistance – enough for all recreational diving.

New for this year, the watch comes in a light summer color scheme. In this new version, the bezel is a medium blue, while the dial has a gradient effect from sky blue in the center to the same color as the bezel at the edges. Additionally, the rectangular markers and hands are coated in white Super-LumiNova for a nice contrast against the colored background. An important update, as opposed to the previous version, this gradient blue model has a time and date display and does not have the rather intrusive day-date window of the previous version. This is of course a matter of preference, but I personally think this date-only version is more visually balanced.vintage watches for sale

Inside the chassis, there are no surprises. Like the cool decompression chronograph 1961 or many other watches from the brand, this new dive watch is equipped with the new entry-level movement Powermatic 80 from Swatch Group. An evolution of the ETA 2824, it has a redesigned power train with a slightly slower 3Hz frequency but a much longer power reserve of 80 hours. In addition, it features an antimagnetic Nivachron hairspring. This automatic movement is concealed behind a closed case back.

Technical Specifications – Tribute to the Mido Ocean Star
Case: Diameter 40.50 mm x Height 13.40 mm – stainless steel case, polished – unidirectional steel bezel with medium blue aluminum insert, 60-minute diving scale – screw-down crown, screw-down case back – dome Sapphire crystal – 200m water resistance
Dial: Gradient blue dial with white Super-LumiNova hour-markers with silver outline – metal baton hands with white Super-LumiNova
Movement: Mido Caliber 80 (base ETA C07.621) – Automatic – 25 jewels – 25.60 mm – 21,600 vibrations/hour – 80 hours power reserve – Nivachron hairspring, antimagnetic – Hours, minutes, seconds (hacked) and date
Bracelet: Comes with Milanese steel bracelet with sliding clasp and blue tropical rubber with pin clasp
Ref: M026.807.11.041.01

zelin0802 / June 22, 2022

Lightweight luxury by Richard Mille

How does a company that was obscure just 20 years ago find itself brushing aside brands worth six or seven figures?

We might see it as one of watchmaking’s quickest success stories at the turn of the millennium. Twenty years ago, a completely unknown name, unusual top replica watch styles, high prices, disruptive marketing and revolutionary materials came together to create a business that made sense in both watchmaking and marketing , which requires a lot of courage.

Moving beyond the media hype to build a lasting watchmaking business can be a challenge for any up-and-coming brand. It’s hard to bring historic names like Czapek, Louis Moinet or Charles Girardier back to life. It’s harder to start from scratch – having to literally justify everything, including your own, without the benefits of past outstanding surnames.

Not for the faint of heart
Richard Mille fake has succeeded in doing this, taking an unusual approach and taking the watchmaking world by storm with unforeseen technology, design and radical spirit. It’s worth recalling that twenty years ago, when a magazine received an ad for Richard Mille, the advertising department would always call the brand to point out the price next to the picture of the watch, which was unthinkable at the time. This is naturally considered a bug. Not like this: it’s just Richard Mille’s way of brazenly declaring that buying a piece from him will cost you at least €100,000. This is how he left his mark.

lighter means stronger
The second fundamental disruption has to do with the weight of the watch. Until the early 2000s, the strength of a watch was proportional to its weight. The heavier and more imposing it is, the more solid and solid it exudes. Richard Mille strives to achieve the exact opposite: minimum weight and maximum strength. It’s a real paradigm shift that overturns an almost instinctive belief by proving that a 60-gram tourbillon is not as simple as a 300-gram tourbillon – it’s actually more powerful.

material competition
The third fundamental disruption is closely related to the first and involves innovative materials. At a time when watchmaking embraced silicon hairsprings wholeheartedly (at the expense of some extremely expensive fundamental research by Patek Philippe, Athens and the Swatch Group), Richard Mille focused primarily on the materials used to make the case: titanium, carbon steel , TPT quartz and graphene. All of these were previously unknown in the industry, or at best rarely used. This opened up a huge marketing opportunity for Richard Mille, as well as an opportunity to set prices that defied all reason. It’s a risky move – but it’s just a ticket for collectors who have only a little reason to consider when they decide to buy from this completely unknown young brand.

Rugged Haute Horlogerie
A fourth fundamental subversion has to do with movement design: specifically, the integration of previously considered highly fragile complications, such as tourbillons, into sports watches designed to withstand any and all shocks, especially any acceleration . Twenty years ago, in an unforgettable moment at his retailer, Richard Mille angrily threw one of his own tourbillons to the ground to prove it could withstand absolutely anything. The retailer in question picked up the watch in disbelief – finding that Miller was right.

very close circle of friends
The fifth and final fundamental disruption has to do with marketing. Richard Mille didn’t just invite athletes to wear his watches; he involved them in the design process. Rafael Nadal has been known to break countless tourbillons before the watchmaker managed to come up with a piece that was nearly indestructible. Pablo Mac Donough is another such athlete. What’s more, these partnerships are not limited to working on the technical aspects of each model: Richard Mille is also notable for the long-standing personal relationship he maintains with each ambassador. While he occasionally seeks out some partners in a more opportunistic way, most of them are indeed part of his close circle of friends – thus explaining why the brand has been particularly active in motorsport, and for decades, Richard Richard Mille has been involved. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that the company’s new Paris base is near the headquarters of the French Motorsport Federation.

Today, the brand has become an important part of the haute horlogerie industry. Richard Mille and his lifelong friend and colleague Dominique Guénat own the same stake. One in Paris, the other in Les Breleux; one oversees management and marketing, the other a wizard of sophistication and materials: they are inseparable.

Their descendants seem to be equally inseparable. The two founding partners are now 70, which is the age at which they announced they would start handing over things; in fact, that’s what they’re doing now. Their three children are now leading the brand’s operations, working together in Switzerland and France, just like their parents, with Mille’s backing – and still keeping a close eye – eyes. luxury Richard Mille and Dominique Guénat may be leaving their management positions, but they remain on the board for now.