Founded in 1918 by George G. Schaeren in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, Mido is celebrating its 100th year anniversary with a series of centennial novelties throughout the entire year. At Baselworld 2018, the Swiss watchmaker released a limited edition pair of Baroncelli timepieces. More recently, Mido once unveiled a new variation of Baroncelli called Big Date – which by the name suggests, features a big date window with a large two-level date aperture at 6 o’clock.

Big Date, Big Expectations

“These are not innovations where you fall down in shock but it’s Mido. It’s useful. Our mission is to produce a watch that can last for a long, long time.”

Similarly to the earlier release of a Mido watch with a big date window – the Commander Big Date, the Baroncelli Big Date is powered by a modified version of the Mido Calibre 80 automatic movement with an 80-hour power reserve. A nice touch of added value for a reasonably priced Mido. As Linder said in an interview with Forbes, “This year we are the first one in our price category offering a big date on a watch. These are not innovations where you fall down in shock but it’s Mido. It’s useful. Our mission is to produce a watch that can last for a long, long time. That means good quality, good assembly and after sales service.”

Aesthetically, the design was influenced by The Baroque Neoclassical style of Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The sophistication inherent to the Italian architecture is refined and translated to the timepiece, providing it with an elegance timeless style.

The latest Big Date will come in 2 versions – a two-tone PVD rose gold and steel rendered on the case and bracelet, and the other in full rose gold on the case with black leather straps.

As for the dial, its design remains very much loyal to the rest of the Baroncelli line. Polished with a white grained surface, the dial plays a significant part in giving the watch an understated classic look. For a Baroncelli, beauty truly lies in the details. A perfect example would be the hour and minute hands, which is a flat surface that looks 3 dimensional. This is achieved using a technique commonly used among high-end watchmakers by having one side polished and the other sandblasted.

For a mechanical watch with such attention to detail and complications, Mido makes an exceptional watch that will definitely stand out among its peers.

It is now available for purchase on its website.