Mido Oceanstar Commander Datoday, 1960s

Dealer description — Analog/Shift

We admit it, we do tend to get carried away pontificating about vintage watches. Whether it is the history of a particular piece or some oft-forgotten sidenote in the development of a particular case design or movement, there are numerous elements to vintage timepieces that make them so desirable. On the other hand, much like women, sometimes all it takes to get us excited about a particular timepiece are some killer looks. Case in point: This Mido Oceanstar Commander Datoday Although the name Mido might conjure images of some pretty gnarly (read: terrible) contemporary watches available at the jewelry counter at Macy's, there was once a time that the brand designed some pretty interesting stuff - a similar story we tell over and over for countless other brands. With roots stretching back to 1918, the name Mido is a play on the Spanish phrase Yo mido - I measure. The brand designed a host of interesting designs throughout the mid-20th Century, and even has some pretty impressive innovations in the industry, including anti-magnetic automatic wristwatches (Mulitfort Collection, 1934) and monocoque case construction. They even used a robot as their mascot in 1939. Seriously, pretty cool! Dating from the 1960s, this particular steel wristwatch sized at an infinitely wearable 38mm. It features an uncommon and eye-catching blue gradient dial transitioning in the light between blue and silver, as well as a day & date feature, hidden lugs with tightly woven mesh bracelet and signed clasp, and luminescent hands. Perhaps most interestingly, this example features a very retro acrylic outer bezel, a feature we haven't seen on any other! Story? Not really. History? Who knows. Iconic design? Nah. So what's the endgame? Its just really, really neat.