The Mido Commander Gradient Is a Racy Automotive-Inspired Watch

Get your motor running.

Swiss watchmaker Mido has launched an automotive-inspired new timepiece with the Commander Gradient. 

The under-the-radar watch brand’s latest mechanism is showcased beneath a gradient dial that shifts from smoky to clear, while the gears can be seen on the dial side, all the better to highlight the Caliber 80 movement packing a power reserve of up to 80 hours. 

The Commander Gradient features polished black on the bezel, satin-finished black on the case, and spots of bright orange on the indexes and hands. Meanwhile, the of the Mido Commander’s transparent dial showcases a gradated smoky effect and  the dial becomes increasingly opaque around the edges while the date at 3 o’clock stands out against the aperture’s white background.

Just like car dashboard indicators that glow at night, the polished hour indexes and the diamond-cut hour and minute hands are adorned with orange Super-LumiNova markers. The second hand pops with the same color to stand out against the smoky background of the dial. A domed sapphire crystal further enhances the readability of the display.

The Commander Gradient’s deep black colorway features a polished bezel and satin-finished case–both made from black PVD-treated steel –and a black fabric strap with orange topstitching and a folding clasp. Made from stainless steel with a screwed case back, it’s water-resistant up to 165 feet.

Mido also has three other versions of the Commander Gradient: in steel or black PVD with a metal bracelet, or in steel and rose-gold-colored PVD on a leather strap. It’s available now for $960.