Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated September 5, 2026

Mido Ocean Star GMT vs Stauer 1920s Retrograde

Mido's diver meets Stauer's dress watch

Quick Verdict

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde ($100–$150) delivers Quartz technology in the tier below the Mido Ocean Star GMT ($1,000–$1,500). The 1920s Retrograde measures 43mm and is rated 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer. The Ocean Star GMT justifies its premium with Swiss Made heritage and Automatic Caliber 80 (Base ETA C07.661). Both represent excellent choices in the luxury watch category.

MidoOcean Star GMT$1,000–$1,500 Check price Stauer1920s Retrograde$100–$150 Check price

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Mido

Ocean Star GMT

$1,000–$1,500

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Stauer

1920s Retrograde

$100–$150

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Specifications Compared

Feature	Mido Ocean Star GMT	Stauer 1920s Retrograde
Price	$1,000–$1,500	$100–$150
Case Size	44mm	43mm
Movement	Automatic Caliber 80 (Base ETA C07.661)	Quartz
Caliber Type	Automatic (ETA C07.661 base)	Quartz
Power Reserve	80 Hours	Battery
Water Resistance	200m (20 ATM)	100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer
Crystal	Sapphire with Double-sided AR	Mineral crystal
Case Material	Stainless Steel	Gold-tone stainless steel (listing photo shows a gold-tone finish; Amazon spec table says stainless steel)
Origin	Swiss Made	Stauer (USA brand, imported)

Category-by-Category Analysis

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Design & Aesthetics

Edge: Draw

Mido's design language vs Stauer's approach

The Mido Ocean Star GMT features a Stainless Steel case at 44mm with Sapphire with Double-sided AR protection. The Stauer 1920s Retrograde offers Gold-tone stainless steel (listing photo shows a gold-tone finish; Amazon spec table says stainless steel) construction at 43mm with Mineral crystal. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.

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Movement & Performance

Edge: Mido

Automatic Caliber 80 (Base ETA C07.661) vs Quartz

The Ocean Star GMT runs the Automatic Caliber 80 (Base ETA C07.661) (Automatic (ETA C07.661 base), 80 Hours power reserve) at 21,600 vph (3 Hz) frequency. The 1920s Retrograde uses the Quartz (Quartz, Battery reserve) at standard. The Ocean Star GMT edges ahead on power reserve.

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Wearability & Fit

Edge: Stauer

44mm vs 43mm — different wrist presence

At 44mm, the Ocean Star GMT has a bolder wrist presence compared to the 1920s Retrograde at 43mm. Water resistance differs: 200m (20 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer.

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Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Stauer

Stauer sits in the lower tier

The Mido Ocean Star GMT sits at $1,000–$1,500 and the Stauer 1920s Retrograde at $100–$150. On the specs that outlast any price: the Ocean Star GMT uses Sapphire with Double-sided AR with 80 Hours, against Mineral crystal and Battery on the 1920s Retrograde. Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

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Water Resistance

Edge: Mido

200m (20 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer

The Ocean Star GMT is rated to 200m (20 ATM) while the 1920s Retrograde handles 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer. The Ocean Star GMT is better suited for water activities.

Our Verdict

Mido

Ocean Star GMT

Choose the Mido Ocean Star GMT if you prioritize Automatic (ETA C07.661 base) engineering, Swiss Made craftsmanship, and 200m (20 ATM) water resistance. At $1,000–$1,500, it delivers Automatic Caliber 80 (Base ETA C07.661) with 80 Hours power reserve.

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Stauer

1920s Retrograde

Choose the Stauer 1920s Retrograde if you value Quartz technology, Stauer (USA brand, imported) heritage, and 43mm proportions. At $100–$150, the Quartz with Battery power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

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The Bottom Line

The Mido Ocean Star GMT and Stauer 1920s Retrograde represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Mido bringing Swiss Made tradition while Stauer delivers Stauer (USA brand, imported) engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Mido Ocean Star GMT is the better buy if you want a mechanical movement; the Stauer 1920s Retrograde is the better buy if you want quartz accuracy with no servicing. For water, the Mido Ocean Star GMT is rated 200 m against 100 m, which is the difference between swimming and diving on one side and splashes on the other. On price, the Stauer 1920s Retrograde sits a band lower ($100–$150 against $1,000–$1,500), so it is the cheaper way into the category. Neither is better at everything; the spec table above shows movement, case size, water resistance and crystal side by side so you can weigh what matters to you. We do not test units, so this is the makers' data, not a bench result.

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde offers better upfront value, sitting a tier lower at $100–$150. However, the Mido Ocean Star GMT may justify its premium with superior finishing, heritage, or resale value.

Both are suitable for daily wear. The Ocean Star GMT at 44mm with 200m (20 ATM) water resistance handles everyday situations. The 1920s Retrograde at 43mm with 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer is similarly capable. The Ocean Star GMT uses Sapphire with Double-sided AR while the 1920s Retrograde uses Mineral crystal. Sapphire resists scratches noticeably better than mineral glass.

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How This Page Was Made

Our comparisons are generated from a hand-maintained specification database and reviewed under our editorial standards. We use AI tools to assemble pages from that data. We don’t invent specs: every number traces back to the database, and when we correct an entry, the fix is applied site-wide. As an Amazon Associate, The Horologist earns from qualifying purchases.