Mario Canonizado 
Channel your inner Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony with this all-new release from Mido – and one of their best retro revivals to date!
If you’ve read a few of my articles, you probably know that I love when watch companies don’t take themselves too seriously. I don’t mean becoming complacent or lazy, but rather pushing back against the overly self-serious nature of the watch industry. Some brands – and even parts of the community – can feel rigid in their ways, treating certain unspoken rules as sacred. If a timepiece dares to break those rules, it risks being excommunicated, along with the brand responsible, from the industry entirely. It’s a shame that some brands choose to embrace the air of pretentiousness that surrounds this vocal few.
Others, however, take the opposite approach – ignoring the snobbery and opting to create fun, whimsical pieces while still showcasing their design and manufacturing expertise. Swatch Group brand Mido has recently been part of a small sect of brands doing exactly that, such as their recent Mido Multifort TV series. With this year’s update to their Commander 1959 series, it may just be the turning point for how audiences perceive this near-forgotten collection.
While the modern Mido Commander series is well-established in the Le Locle-based brand’s lineup, the Commander 1959 remains lesser known despite its significance in Mido’s history. Initially introduced under the Ocean Star name – one of Mido’s most recognisable collections – the Commander debuted in 1959 before eventually separating and becoming its own distinct line. Over the past six decades, Mido has had ample time to refine and modernise the Commander’s aesthetic into the version we know and love today. However, with such a well-respected heritage, they didn’t want to leave the past behind. Thus, the Commander 1959 was born: a faithful recreation of the original designs from all those years ago! That said, even the remastered Commander 1959 has seen better days. Today, most collectors gravitate toward the newer, more refined iterations of the Commander, with only a handful of vintage watch enthusiasts keeping the classic design alive.
It is perhaps for this reason that Mido has chosen to breathe new life into the Commander 1959 collection this year, giving it a fresh coat of paint and a retro-modern aesthetic perfect for a bold, funky lifestyle. The new Commander 1959 retains the same dimensions as its predecessors, featuring a 37mm case diameter, a lug-less design, and a slim 10.5mm thickness housed within a steel monocoque (single-shell) case. Thanks to the absence of traditional lugs, the watch’s lug-to-lug measurement is identical to its diameter, making it a versatile option for wrists of virtually any size. Enhancing its comfort further is the finely crafted ‘Milanese’ mesh steel strap, composed of ultra-fine steel links that provide both a lightweight feel and exceptional wearability.
However, what likely catches your eye the most is the unique dial finishing of this Commander 1959! A modern twist on a heritage-inspired timepiece, the new Mido Commander 1959 has been aptly nicknamed ‘Pixels’ by the brand – for obvious reasons. Evoking a sense of retro arcade nostalgia, the dial of the ‘Pixels’ model features a predominantly black backdrop adorned with a striking pixelated design. This effect is achieved through a series of multicoloured lume plots, which transition from shades of blue to purple and pink, creating a dynamic and playful aesthetic. Adding to the charm, these luminous pixels not only enhance the watch’s vibrant appeal, but also glow in colours that match their daytime tones, reinforcing the digital-era inspiration behind the design. For those familiar with Mido’s capabilities with coloured lume – such as their annual limited edition Dia de Los Muertos watches – it comes as no surprise that the Commander 1959 ‘Pixels’ looks as good in the night as it does in the day.
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However, one design element remains that truly captures the era in which the Commander 1959 was first conceived: the use of an acrylic crystal! This choice might be a point of contention for some, as acrylic is far more prone to scratches than sapphire. But for a heritage-inspired timepiece like this, I think it just makes sense. That said, acrylic isn’t without its advantages: for example, it boasts exceptional shatter resistance – one of the key reasons Omega chose it for all the Speedmasters that went to the Moon. Acrylic crystals also tend to project subtle warmth to the dial, which in this case enhances the vibrancy of the cool-toned pixel design, making it pop even more.
Finally, being part of the horological powerhouse that is the Swatch Group puts Mido in an excellent position to offer both reliable and precise movement technology. The story is no different here, as Mido equips the Commander 1959 ‘Pixels’ with the ever-popular Calibre 80. A staple of the Swatch Group, the Calibre 80 is as accessible as it is dependable – although you won’t see it through the solid case back. While its beat rate is slightly slower at 3Hz/21,600VpH, this trade-off allows it to achieve an impressive 80-hour power reserve – about three full days, plus change. A first for the modern Commander 1959 lineup, the ‘Pixels’ model also forgoes a date window, resulting in an entirely uncluttered view of that vibrant, pixelated dial!
My Thoughts
I’ve always been a massive fan of video games. Even to this day, when I need to take a break from watch-related things, it’s always fun to fire the Xbox up and just decompress for an hour or two. Lately, one game that’s been catching my attention is Grand Theft Auto IV, specifically the story expansion The Ballad of Gay Tony. In it, you help the titular character – ‘Gay’ Tony Prince – navigate the chaos of Liberty City while managing his high-end nightclub empire.
Compared to the often grim and gritty tone of GTA IV, The Ballad of Gay Tony bursts with energy, over-the-top action, and a dazzling nightlife aesthetic bathed in neon. So, when I first laid eyes on the new Mido Commander 1959 ‘Pixels,’ something about this watch instantly reminded me of that video game. The timepiece’s multicoloured lume, with its vivid blues, purples, and pinks, felt like a heritage-inspired yet contemporary love letter to the neon-lit cityscapes, found only in the nightlife districts of the world – and in the fictional concrete jungle of Liberty City. In the same manner that The Ballad of Gay Tony was a breath of fresh air for GTA IV, so too has Mido given the fading Commander 1959 a new lease on life. Compounded by its near-universal wearability and reliable Cal. 80, the Mido Commander 1959 ‘Pixels’ is one of the most compelling additions to the Commander 1959 line of watches, and perhaps marks a turning point in the brand’s attractiveness within the community.
Reference: M8429.4.N7.11
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 37mm case diameter/lug-to-lug x 10.5mm thickness
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Dial: Black with blue/purple/pink pixelisations
- Movement: Automatic Mido Calibre 80
- Power Reserve: 80h
- Water Resistance: 50m (5bar)
- Strap: Steel Milanese mesh strap with folding clasp
