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Hands-On: Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 Limited Edition (2021)

The 2021 Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 pairs a silvered-white Rainbow Diver dial with a turquoise bezel, 40.5 mm steel case and Caliber 80 movement.
Estimate3–4 min Catalogued SpecialistWatchRanker Team
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The 2021 Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 Limited Edition is the silver-dial, turquoise-bezel return of Mido’s Rainbow Diver. Its reference is M026.807.11.031.00: a 40.5 mm automatic steel watch limited to 1,961 pieces. Its coloured dial recalls a historic decompression display, but Mido explicitly says that display is indicative only and must not replace modern diving rules or instruments.

What is the 2021 Mido Rainbow Diver?

It is the second modern version of Mido’s Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961. Mido introduced the silvered-white dial and turquoise bezel in 2021, following the black-dial version released in 2020. The exact reference for the 2021 edition is M026.807.11.031.00. Time and Watches listed its availability from 1 November 2021.

Mido’s original Ocean Star Decompression Timer was produced from the late 1950s and officially launched in 1961. The brand also calls the historic design the Ocean Star Rainbow Diver and Ocean Star Powerwind 1000. The limited run of 1,961 watches refers to that launch year.

What does the coloured dial mean?

The coloured rings revive the original watch’s decompression scale. Each colour corresponded to a depth range, while the accompanying table indicated whether a decompression period was due during ascent. The rotating bezel functioned as a timer. On the 2021 watch, the silvered-white dial sets off the multicoloured circles, date display, and luminous hands and indices.

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#1 Best Overall
MIDO Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 - Swiss Automatic Watch for Men - Black Dial - Stainless Steel 40.5mm Case with Black PVD Coating- Two Additional Straps Included - M0268073305100
  • Swiss Made Watch
  • Movement: Automatic MIDO caliber with Date calendar function - Power reserve 80 hours
  • Case Type: Diver-style stainless steel case with black color PVD coating and black rotating bezel - Capable of withstanding pressures of up to 20 bar (200 m/660 ft), and equipped with a screw-down crown, this watch offers optimal protection against water.
  • Case Size: 40.5mm - Case Thickness: 13.43mm - Decompression design black dial offering hand and indexes filled with Super-Luminova - Crystal: Glassbox-style sapphire crystal.
  • Band Type: Stainless steel milanese bracelet with black PVD coating and sliding clasp closure. Additional blue rubber strap and black leather strap with pin buckle closure included- Lug Width: 21mm

Mido’s manual identifies yellow, green, pink, and blue bands for depth ranges of 25–29 m, 30–34 m, 35–39 m, and 40–44 m, respectively. These are historical indications, not current dive-planning guidance. Mido’s Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 manual states: “This decompression scale is indicative; under no circumstances is it intended to replace modern diving rules and instruments.”

2021 edition specifications

Specification 2021 Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961
Reference M026.807.11.031.00 (Time and Watches, 2021)
Case Polished stainless steel; 40.5 mm diameter and 13.4 mm thick (Mido, 2021)
Dial and crystal Silvered-white dial with multicoloured decompression scale; box-shaped sapphire crystal (Mido, 2021; Time and Watches, 2021)
Bezel Turquoise, unidirectional rotating bezel (Time and Watches, 2021)
Water resistance 200 m / 20 bar / 660 ft, with screwed crown and caseback (Mido, 2021; Time and Watches, 2021)
Movement Automatic Mido Caliber 80; up to 80 hours of power reserve (Mido, 2021). Time and Watches identifies an ETA C07.621 base and 3 Hz beat rate.
Edition size 1,961 pieces (Mido, 2021)
Included straps Braided steel, patinated leather, and turquoise fabric; Mido describes a quick-change spur system (Mido, 2021; Time and Watches, 2021)

How it differs from the 2020 edition

2020 reissue 2021 limited edition
Dial and bezel Black dial and black bezel (Swatch Group, 10 September 2020) Silvered-white dial and turquoise bezel (Mido, 2021)
Release and reference 2020; the cited archive announcement does not state a reference number. 2021; reference M026.807.11.031.00 (Time and Watches, 2021)
Movement and case Not stated in the cited 2020 archive announcement. Caliber 80 automatic; 40.5 mm steel case, 13.4 mm thick (Mido, 2021; Time and Watches, 2021)
Included straps Three straps (Swatch Group, 10 September 2020) Braided steel, patinated leather, and turquoise fabric (Mido, 2021)

The colourway is the clearest distinction between the two reissues. Check the dial and bezel as well as the reference when identifying a listing; the similar model name alone does not distinguish the 2021 silver-and-turquoise watch from its black predecessor.

Rank #2
MIDO Ocean Star Decompression Worldtimer - Swiss Automatic GMT Watch for Men - Black Dial - Stainless Steel 40.5mm Case - M0268291705100
  • Swiss Made Watch
  • Movement: Automatic MIDO caliber with GMT function and Date calendar - Power reserve 80 hours
  • Case Type: Diver-style stainless steel case with black rotating bezel - Capable of withstanding pressures of up to 20 bar (200 m/660 ft), and equipped with a screw-down crown, this diver watch offers optimal protection against water.
  • Case Size: 40.5mm - Case Thickness: 13.43mm - Decompression worldtimer design black dial offering hand and indexes filled with Super-Luminova - Crystal: Glassbox-style sapphire crystal.
  • Band Type: Stainless steel milanese bracelet with sliding clasp Additional rubber strap with pin buckle closure included- Lug Width: 21mm

Availability and buying considerations

The 2021 review reported original launch prices of CHF 1,130, €1,150, and US$1,250. Those are historical launch prices, not current retail or resale quotes. Current stock and market pricing are not established here, so prospective buyers should compare listings in their own market rather than assume the watch remains available at its launch price.

  • Confirm the reference and silver-dial/turquoise-bezel configuration to avoid confusing it with the 2020 black version.
  • For a pre-owned watch, ask about condition, box and papers, and the numbered caseback. Check seller authenticity safeguards and return terms before purchase.
  • The watch was supplied with three straps and a quick-change system. Confirm fit and compatibility before buying any replacement strap, particularly from a third party.
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Care and water-resistance context

Mido’s manual gives 3 to 4 years as a general service-check interval, with shorter intervals potentially needed depending on climate and use. It also recommends rinsing the watch after saltwater immersion and avoiding impacts and direct contact with solvents, detergents, perfumes, and cosmetics. The 200 m rating is the manufacturer’s stated water resistance; it does not make the vintage-inspired dial a modern decompression instrument.

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Best Value
MIDO Ocean Star 39 - Swiss Automatic Watch for Men & Women - 39mm Stainless Steel Case - Black Dial - Orange and Black Fabric Strap - M0269071705100
  • Swiss Made Automatic Watch
  • Movement: Automatic Movement Mido Caliber 72 - With 72 hours of power reserve and nivachron balance spring
  • Case Type: 316L Stainless steel diver style with screw-down crown and unidirectional rotating bezel
  • Case Size: 39mm - Band Width: 20mm - Case Thickness: 10.5mm - Sapphire crystal with double sided anti-reflection treatment
  • Band: Orange fabric strap with pin buckle and MIDO quick-change system.
Rank #4
MIDO Ocean Star 200C - Swiss Automatic Diving Watch for Men - 42.5mm Stainless Steel Case - Rotating Ceramic Bezel - Blue Wave-Design Dial with Day,Date Calendar - Stainless Steel Bracelet - M0424301104100
  • Swiss Made Watch
  • Movement: Automatic Mido Caliber - Power reserve 80 hours
  • Case Type: Stainless steel with blue ceramic bezel - Capable of withstanding pressures of up to 20 bar (200 m/660 ft), and equipped with a screw-down crown, this watch offers optimal protection against water.
  • Case Size: 42.5mm - Case Thickness: 12.25mm - Blue wave design dial with individually applied indexes coated with white Super-Luminova - Crystal: Sapphire crystal with double sided anti-reflection treatment
  • Band Type: Stainless Steel Bracelet - Folding Clasp with Diving Extension - Band Width: 22mm
Rank #3
MIDO Ocean Star 200 - Swiss Automatic Watch for Men - 41mm Stainless Steel Case - Day/Date - Black Dial - Stainless Steel Bracelet - M02693011005100
  • Swiss Made Watch
  • Movement: Automatic MIDO caliber with Day/Date calendar - Power reserve 80 hours
  • Case Type: 41mm Diver-style stainless steel case with black rotating bezel - Capable of withstanding pressures of up to 20 bar (200 m/660 ft), and equipped with a screw-down crown, this watch offers optimal protection against water. Case Thickness: 11.7mm
  • Dial: Black with grained finish, polished nickelled indexes coated with white Super-LumiNova, day and date at 3 o’clock. Sand-blasted flange with minute indication. Crystal: Sapphire crystal with double sided anti-reflection treatment Crystal: Sapphire crystal with double sided anti-reflection treatmentCrystal: Sapphire crystal with double sided anti-reflection treatment.
  • Band Type: Satin-finished stainless steel bracelet with polished central link. Folding clasp with diving extension and engraved MIDO logo. MIDO quick-change system.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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