Mido
Le Locle, Switzerland · Est. 1918
Founded by Georges Schaeren
Mido is a Swiss watch brand founded in 1918 by Georges Schaeren in Le Locle, Switzerland. Known for watches inspired by architectural masterpieces — such as the Baroncelli, Commander, and Multifort collections — Mido sits within the Swatch Group and produces accessible automatic watches with a design-led identity.
- Founded
- 1918
- Headquarters
- Le Locle, Switzerland
- Group
- Swatch Group
- Price Segment
- Entry
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- Baroncelli — Elegant dress watch collection inspired by the Rota Fountain in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, known for its slim profiles and classical dial layouts.
- Multifort — Robust sports collection dating back to 1934, originally featuring early automatic winding and water-resistant cases, now available in diver and GMT variants.
- Commander — Retro-inspired collection with a distinctive date window design, celebrating Mido's mid-century heritage with contemporary movements.
- Ocean Star — Professional dive watch line offering 200m to 600m water resistance, drawing on Mido's long history of producing reliable tool watches.
Timeline
- 1918 — Georges Schaeren founds Mido in Le Locle, Switzerland. The name derives from the Spanish 'Yo mido' meaning 'I measure.'
- 1934 — Launch of the Multifort, one of the first automatic, water-resistant, anti-magnetic watches — a technical milestone for the era.
- 1959 — Introduction of the Ocean Star, establishing Mido's presence in professional dive watches.
- 1983 — Mido joins what would become the Swatch Group, securing its long-term production capabilities.
- 2018 — Mido celebrates its centenary with special editions across the Baroncelli and Multifort lines.
- 2025 — Launches the Ocean Star 600 Chronometer COSC-certified diver and refreshed Multifort TV Big Date models. Strengthens its mid-range Swatch Group position with strong presence in Asian markets.
- 2026 — Presents new Baroncelli Heritage slim-dress models and an Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 reissue at Watches & Wonders 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mido
- What does the name Mido mean?
- Mido comes from the Spanish 'Yo mido,' meaning 'I measure.' Founder Georges Schaeren chose it to reflect precision and universality.
- Where does Mido sit in the Swatch Group hierarchy?
- Mido occupies the upper range of the mid-tier segment, positioned above Tissot and Hamilton but below Longines, offering genuine Swiss automatic movements at accessible prices.