Originally launched in 1961 as the Powerwind 1000 that was part of the Ocean Star line that debuted just two years before, the Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer harkens back to the birth of recreational diving as a hobby and pastime, a time which saw the proliferation of the skin divers and the advancement of dive watches as a whole. Discontinued in 1965, the Powerwind 1000 was popular for its bright dial, which featured a colorful decompression table that informed its wearer how long they would need to spend underwater resurfacing, provided they reached a certain depth for a certain amount of time, to avoid developing decompression sickness, or 'The Bends' - a sickness that would often claim the lives of divers. Relaunched in 2020, the ref. M026.807.11.051.00 that we have here is inspired by the Powerwind 1000 and features its iconic dial and 40.5mm stainless steel case, a direct result of the legibility it required and sizeable bezel that enabled its use underwater with diving gloves. Limited to just 1961 pieces, a direct reference to its original debut, the Ocean Star Decompression Timer is wonderfully reminiscent of times gone by without dive computers and when analog mechanical timepieces were cutting edge technology and when watches like these could often be the difference between life and death.

Watch is in new, unworn condition.

A fun and colorful timepiece that reminds us of how far technology has come in recent decades, the Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer can either be worn as the tool watch it was originally intended to be, or as a fun timepiece that is incredibly unique.