Classic Mido Commander Gold - President Style Review

Mido Commander Gold

This watch is a classic. From a glance it looks exactly like a Rolex Day-Date president style watch.  The Mido Commander is a superb quality timepiece from a Swiss made watch maker.  This watch has a beautiful ETA 2834 movement with gold plated parts.  Beautiful both inside and out.  I believe this model was made during the 1960s-90s.  Though not marketed towards the U.S. market, it gained famed across Europe and Asia. This model came out with many variances just like the Rolex counter part.  It is still slightly common to come by a nice piece in the present time.  Prices can get as high as $500 for a mint condition used watch.

Specs:
Size: Man Size 37mm
Movement: Automatic or manual winding ETA 2834 original movement
Functions: Day & Date (12 & 3 O'clock)
Crystal: Clear Celluloid Plastic with cyclops at 3 o'clock
Crown: 2 variance screw down or push down with day/date hacking feature
Bracelet: Jubilee type
Clasp: Single clasp with "Mido" stamped in with fine dotted markings
Face: Gold color with simple dash hour markings with tiny tritium dots at the end.  Bottom center marking has "T - SWISS MADE - T" above the first ring line.
Body: 1 piece no back plate.  Must be opened from the front by take the front crystal and the bezel out.

 

As mentioned above, this model has different variances both visually and internally.  Some have screw down crowns some have push down crowns.  Some have gold filled ETA 2834 movements some have lesser gold filled but same movements.  I own several of these variances, but this gold piece has been my favorite Mido to wear for the past 8 years.  During this time it has been oiled and serviced only once and has been a good time keeper.

Market wise, this model was extremely popular in Asia. You will find that people who sell these watches online are from Asia and fewer from Europe and other parts of the world.  People looking for this watch can find them on Ebay or other watch sites.  Prices can range anywhere from US$150-500 depending on condition.  In my opinion, this watch is a great watch to collect.  It is aesthetically pleasing, very comfortable to wear, and most of all with the ETA 2834 movement, it is very reliable and keeps excellent time.  Good luck hunting.