The…get ready…Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 Limited Edition (M026.807.11.051.00), yes a mouthful, isn’t a reissue of the Mido Ocean Star 5907 covered previously, but rather so strongly takes it inspiration from it I felt it should be mentioned as well. As an aside, I thought the Mido Powerwind 5907 was issued in 1959, though I can’t explain the naming of the Decompression Timer as “1961” (unless they got a break on costs by manufacturing 2 more timepieces for their run of 1961 pieces).
The colorful “rainbow” dial is of course the most obvious link between the Decompression Time and the Mido 5907, but other than that we see significant changes with this introduction. The Decompression Timer is offered in a black dial only, with date, and markings in both meters and feet. In comparison, the original 5907 which was available in both black and white dials, with different tension ring options (both colors and luminous plots), either meters or feet, and with or without date. The Decompression Timer is unfortunately, in my opinion, larger at 40.5mm case and 21mm lug width (just…why?), versus the 5907 at 38mm and 18mm, respectively.
The Decompression Timer has a much stronger look, with shorter and thicker lugs, a rotating black bezel with lume dot, and crown guards. There is no suffering with a Bonklip-style, as Mido selected a mesh stainless steel bracelet (and two additional straps, one leather and one synthetic fabric). With the date window and straps, I’ll let others decide if the target market is divers for this offering. The Decompression Tier features an automatic movement as with the original 5907, updated to the Mido Caliber 80. The caseback features a star, though I have to admit I miss the diver on the 5907 caseback.
