Mido has been on a quiet streak lately, putting out some genuinely interesting watches that have caught the attention of collectors who might not have given the brand a second look a few years ago. This Multifort 8 One Crown immediately comes to mind. The latest release is a different kind of play. The refreshed Commander Datoday is Mido’s bid at the versatile, wear-it-everywhere steel watch, and at just over $1,000, the positioning against more expensive watches is hard to miss.
What’s changed here is mostly on the dial. Mido swapped the older dot indices for baton markers. Paired with faceted fencepost hands and sunburst finishing, the look is cleaner and more streamlined than the outgoing model. It reads as modern and agreeable, which seems to be exactly what Mido was going for. The day-date window sits at 3 o’clock in a framed aperture, keeping the “Datoday” name honest. That said, the window’s placement feels a little cramped, positioned closer to the center of the dial than I’d expect. The 3 o’clock index stays intact, which is nice, but I think most people would trade that for a window pushed further toward the dial’s edge.
The case comes in at 40mm across and 10.7mm thick, with straight lugs that curve down slightly and a box sapphire crystal sitting proud of the case for a subtle retro touch. Water resistance is 50 meters, which is adequate for this kind of watch, even if it won’t impress the tool watch crowd. Inside, you get a Powermatic 80 automatic with 80 hours of power reserve and a Nivachron hairspring for magnetic resistance. It’s a well-known ETA-based platform and Mido has decorated it enough to look respectable through the display caseback.
The bracelet is an Oyster-style design in mostly brushed steel with a folding clasp and quick-release spring bars. It’s practical and it fits the overall vibe of the watch. The 21mm lug width is the one quirk here, since it makes aftermarket strap options a little harder to come by. For a watch that’s supposed to handle everything you throw at it, that’s a minor but real limitation.
At launch, there are four colorways. Blue, silver, and anthracite dials in plain stainless steel come in at $1,090 each, with the anthracite reading the most like a Rolex alternative to my eye. A fourth version adds a deep green dial with rose gold PVD on the case and bracelet for $1,260. None of these are going to surprise you, and that’s kind of the point.
Mido clearly isn’t trying to reinvent anything here. The Commander Datoday is a straightforward play at the collector who wants Oyster Perpetual energy without the Rolex buy-in. Whether that’s enough to stand out in a segment that’s getting more crowded by the month is the bigger question. Brands like Tissot, Certina, and even Mido’s own Multifort line are all competing for this same customer. I’d be curious to see how the Datoday wears in person, because on paper it checks the boxes. The real test is whether it has enough personality to keep your attention after the novelty wears off.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.