Baroncelli 20th Anniversary Inspired by Architecture - Ltd Ed 1836pcs Ref. M037.407.16.261.00

On 11 November 1918, the same day as the armistice that put an end to World War I, Georges Schaeren founded the Mido Watch Company, then known as Mido G. Scaheren & Co. Schaeren was a highly competent watchmaker, obtaining his diploma in a watchmaking school in Solothurn and worked at various watchmakers up till the founding of his own company. The word mido translates to “to measure” in Spanish - a fitting name for a famed watchmaker. After all, it is the measurement of time that has fascinated men for centuries.

Mido Baroncelli 20th Anniversary Inspired by Architecture - Ltd Ed 1836pcs Ref. M037.407.16.261.00

The Baroncelli watch was first introduced in 1976, celebrating the timeless beauty of the Rennes Opera House. Mido drew inspiration from the Opera House’s rounded architecture as well as the statues of the Muses of Antiquity placed on top of the facade. In 2006, to mark the 30th anniversary of the collection, Mido reintroduced the Baroncelli lineup into their collection. The new watches continue to perpetuate the spirit of the line and are inspired by the sublime and timeless aesthetic of stringed instruments.

2022 is a landmark year for Mido and watches and architecture enthusiasts. It marks 20 years since the brand first drew inspiration from remarkable monuments. To commemorate this special occasion, Mido released 5 limited edition watches. The Mido Baroncelli that we are taking a look at is the second model in the series of five and takes centre stage today.

Grained texture dial w/ triple stepped bezel

Made of 316L stainless steel, the watch is entirely high polished. The timepiece also has a set of near-perfect dimensions. At 39mm in diameter and with a lug-to-lug of 44mm, the watch is only 9.9mm in thickness. This results in a very comfortable watch on wrist that will suit almost all wrist sizes. The thinness also ensures that the watch can slip under a shirt cuff easily, an important aspect of a dress watch.

Moving on to the dial and we can clearly distinguish which landmark the Baroncelli draws its inspiration from. Applied baton indices are used throughout, apart from a special 12 o’clock index that takes the shape of the famed Rennes Opera House. Shades of the monument can also be seen from the date aperture at 6 - the date window cut to resemble the facade of the prominent institution of the arts. In a further nod to the relevance of the Rennes Opera House, the Baroncelli 20th Anniversary is limited to 1,836 pieces - the year the famous opera house opened.

The Rennes Opera House in France - do you spot the Baroncelli inspiration now? (Credits: WikiData)

Along with the inspired elements of the watch, the white dial has a grained textured finish. Sword hands are utilised here, and the second hand is heat blued. The push-pull crown and screwed-on caseback give the Baroncelli 20th Anniversary a good 50m of water resistance. Protecting the classic dial is a piece of flat sapphire crystal with double-sided anti-reflective coating. Sapphire is scratchproof and will remain crystal clear for a long time to come while the anti-reflective coating allows one to view the dial legibly, even in harsh lighting. Like all the watches in the Baroncelli collection, there is no luminescent material present on the dial. We do not see that as an issue, as the Baroncelli leans more towards the dressy side. If there were lume - like most dress watches with lume - it most likely will not be very bright too. So, no thanks.

Flipping the watch over, you will find a caseback with a beautiful engraving of the Opéra de Rennes. As this is a limited edition run, each watch is also uniquely engraved with a serial number (No. XXXX/1836). Underneath the gorgeous caseback is the Mido Calibre 80 - the heart of the timepiece. The Calibre 80 is based on the Swiss ETA C07.611 movement. It has 25 jewels, beats at 21,600 BPH and has a whopping 80 hours of power reserve. It is a tried and tested timepiece that is robust and reliable, ensuring that the movement will tick accurately for years to come. The movement is also fitted with the Nivachron™ balance spring which has better magnetic resistance than silicone and offers excellent shock resistance. It is also very effective against temperature variations in wearing conditions, ensuring that the movement will work reliably and accurately in changing weather.

Engraving of the Opéra de Rennes with a serial number

Mido pairs the Baroncelli 20th Anniversary with an elegant 20mm black embossed alligator leather strap. The strap gently tapers to a signed Mido deployant buckle. Mido leather straps are carefully crafted and assembled by hand, resulting in a comfortable and supple wearing experience. The black leather matches exceptionally well with the ivory dial, elevating the timeless style of the watch.

The Baroncelli 20th Anniversary is a mechanical and aesthetic success that is a perfect expression of Mido’s watchmaking know-how. Each watch is also presented in a special decorative case featuring a collectable commemorative medallion. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of extraordinary design, coupled with inspiration from famous architecture around the world, it can be argued that the Mido Baroncelli 20th Anniversary will be just like the structure it drew inspiration from - a prized piece of architecture that will remain a beautiful and well-respected marvel in the decades or even centuries that follow.