Sunday Morning Showdown: Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Auto Vs. Mido Ocean Star 200

On this summery Sunday morning, we dive into a Swatch Group battle. This week, we picked two dive watches from popular Swatch Group brands to determine which you prefer. Daan will back the revamped Khaki Navy Scuba Auto that Hamilton unveiled recently. The brand updated the dial design with new indexes and a wave pattern to add more character to the series. Jorg picked the recently released Mido Ocean Star 200, which debuted a few weeks ago. With a modern design resembling the Ocean Star GMT, it will undoubtedly become a popular series. Which of these affordable Swatch Group divers will win this week’s battle? Let’s find out!

As most of you will know, the Swatch Group has several brands that offer affordable dive watches. Certina, Mido, Hamilton, and Tissot all have interesting options in the sub-€1,500 price bracket. This week’s picks are the perfect proof of that. Daan’s Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Auto comes in at €895, while Jorg’s Mido Ocean Star 200 retails for €950, making these watches direct competitors. That said, they do look different, so it will be a choice predominantly based on specs and looks rather than budget. Let’s find out which of these two you would pick as your favorite affordable dive watch.

Last week, on Sunday Morning Showdown…

Before we hand it over to Daan and Jorg, though, it’s time to recap last week’s results. In last Sunday’s installment, Jorg and Daan also battled each other in a classic Rolex vs. Tudor matchup. In the end, Jorg’s Daytona won with 55% of the votes, leaving Daan’s Black Bay Chrono 39 with 45%. Looking at the comments, most of you expected an easy win for the Rolex. As the results indicate, however, it was closer than our commenters expected. It once again shows that the silent majority sometimes chooses differently than some of us would expect. In the end, the result was the same, as the Rolex won, and this series is all about the sweet smell of victory! Over to Daan and Jorg to find out which watch will win this week’s battle.

Jorg: Mido Ocean Star 200

When Mido first announced the Ocean Star 200, I had to get some context because the brand’s collection of divers has grown substantially. A quick peek at Mido’s website shows that we could also have picked the Ocean Star 39 or the Ocean Star 200C for this matchup. But both look a lot like the updated Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Auto divers that Daan is backing today. Honestly, it’s rather uncanny if you put them side by side and then add Certina’s DS Action Divers into the mix. That’s more than enough reason to pick a somewhat different dive watch, which is what the new Mido Ocean Star 200 series offers.

On top of that, we wanted to pick two similarly priced options. Both the Ocean Star 39 and Ocean Star 200C cost slightly more, whereas today’s picks are only €55 apart. Lastly, it can be confusing to see the Ocean Star 200C and the Ocean Star 200 series next to each other.

At first, I thought the Ocean Star 200 was the follow-up to the 200C, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. This is a new entry-level series that is more affordable than the 200C, with a different design that takes after the popular Ocean Star GMT. Pardon a little side step here, but I can’t wait to see a 41mm version of that watch instead of the current 44mm version. Now, it’s simply too big.

The Mido Ocean Star 200 is a clever introduction

This new Ocean Star 200 is a great example of how well the 41mm size works. Granted, we still have to get the new Ocean Star 200 in for a hands-on review. But having seen the Ocean Star GMT and then comparing it with the specs of the new series, I know the Ocean Star 200 will be a winner. Let’s first go over some details to get an idea.

The new Ocean Star 200 features a 41mm stainless steel case with an 11.7mm profile and a 47mm lug-to-lug. Those dimensions are spot on for a great variety of wrist sizes. Compared to the Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Auto, it is better proportioned, as Daan’s contender has a 12.95mm thickness and 50mm length.

Another detail that makes the Mido better is its 200m depth rating, which is double that of the Hamilton. While neither will likely reach the great depths of the ocean, it is nice to know that the Mido Ocean Star 200 has solid dive-watch specs, whereas the Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Auto is not really up to par with most modern dive watches.

Movement-wise, both the Mido and the Hamilton are powered by the Swatch Group’s shared Powermatic 80 calibers. The Mido uses the caliber 80, while the Hamilton houses the H-10. Both offer an 80-hour power reserve and come fitted with a Nivachron hairspring. One difference is that the Mido displays the day and date, whereas the Hamilton displays only the date. I am usually not a fan of a day/date display on a dive watch, but Mido did a great job of integrating it.

The Mido Ocean Star 200’s modern design looks better

This brings us to the aesthetics of both watches. As mentioned, the new Hamilton design features a wave pattern on the dial and uses round hour markers, whereas the previous generation used rectangular indexes. Consequently, the new Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Auto looks a lot like the Certina DS Action Diver, Mido Ocean Star 39 and 200C, and Tissot Seastar series.

The biggest difference is the use of the 13–24-hour scale on the dial, which ties the Khaki Navy Scuba Auto series to Hamilton’s legendary field watches. While I love the extra scale on the military-inspired field watches, I am not a fan of it on the divers. That’s why the GMT versions that Hamilton introduced at the same time look better in my opinion.

In comparison, the new Mido Ocean Star 200 series takes a step away from the Swatch Group’s design mold for divers. It looks more modern and resembles the Ocean Star GMT. I find this look much more attractive. Additionally, I understand that Mido picked this aesthetic because it is easier to claim as a Mido design.

While the overall design is not necessarily unique, at first glance, I would associate it with Mido if you removed the logo. The combination of the wide bezel with the large diving-scale numerals, the wide, gently sloping rehaut that holds the minute track, and the relatively small dial with its grainy texture works really well. In combination with the applied luminous markers and the signature semi-open hands, the visual balance is perfect, giving the Ocean Star 200 a rugged tool-watch look.

The choice is simple

A less tool-watch-esque design choice is the polished center links of the Oyster-style bracelet. Then again, we have to realize that this new Ocean Star 200 is an entry-level dive watch that will end up on most people’s wrists as a daily wearer. In that context, I think that Mido does a much better job than Hamilton. I could easily see myself wearing the Ocean Star 200, whereas the Khaki Navy Scuba Auto left me feeling that Mido and Certina offer better options at the same price. That’s what makes the choice easy for me. I would pick the new Mido Ocean Star 200 every time. But please let us know why you would pick the Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Auto, Daan.

Daan: Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Auto

Thanks, Jorg, and let me start where you left off, right at that polished center link of the Mido Ocean Star 200. I’m really not a fan of a polished center link on an Oyster-style bracelet, especially when it’s attached to a tool watch. Sure, it might look a bit fancier and luxurious, but it’ll just scratch over time. Besides, I don’t think it aligns with the overall aesthetic of the rugged-looking Ocean Star 200.

Admittedly, the Hamilton’s bracelet isn’t perfect either, as it lacks any taper. I still prefer its design over the Mido’s bracelet, though. It fits the overall tool-watch vibe better, and although its clasp is basic, it offers microadjustment and a comfortable push-button release.

Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba GMT (top) and Auto (bottom)

Dimensions don’t tell you everything

We also need to talk about those case measurements, Jorg. Indeed, the Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Auto appears to have a larger presence on the wrist due to its long lug-to-lug. However, when you put the Scuba on your wrist, it doesn’t actually feel that big. That’s because the case back sits rather flat and the lugs curve downward quite a bit, wrapping nicely around your wrist.

I haven’t seen the Mido Ocean Star 200 in person yet. However, from what I can see in the pictures, it seems like the lugs don’t turn downward that much. Consequently, I bet it feels a little clunkier on the wrist. Still, the Hamilton certainly could’ve been thinner.

No date at all would’ve been perfect

What I also don’t like about the Mido is its day-date window. You almost can’t even call it a window anymore; it’s more like a billboard. It reminds me of the classic Seiko diver day-date windows, and I’ve never liked those either. In addition, I find it very annoying to set those things because I can never remember which way to turn the crown to go in the right direction.

No, the contrasting date window on the Hamilton Khaki Navy, which is swept under the rug between 4 and 5 o’clock, doesn’t deserve a beauty prize either. But anything is better than that billboard on the Ocean Star 200’s dial.

I prefer the waves over the sand

If there’s one thing I don’t like about the beach, it’s the sand. It gets everywhere, and you’ll find it in your house and car weeks after you’ve actually been to the beach. I also don’t love a sandy texture on watches, like on the Mido’s dial. On more affordable watches, it often makes them look even cheaper than they already are. Again, I haven’t seen the Ocean Star 200 in person yet, but I’m afraid the same is true here.

On the other hand, I quite like the wavy pattern on the Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Auto dials. It fits the theme and is executed well. Hamilton didn’t go over the top with those waves, and the pattern does add a nice play of light and a sense of depth. You don’t like the 13–24-hour scale on there, Jorg, but I like it as a reference to Hamilton’s iconic Khaki Field range.

Dare to stand out

Finally, I’d like to give Hamilton credit for the funky turquoise version of the Khaki Navy Scuba Auto. Sure, the brand only gave the sloped minute track another color. Doing this, though, completely changed the watch’s character, especially when you put it on the matching turquoise rubber strap with the bold “Khaki” branding and sturdy-looking pin buckle. If I had to choose a favorite, I’d go for the turquoise Khaki Navy Scuba Auto.

Mido also offers four versions of the Ocean Star 200. You can choose between blue, black-and-white, all-black, and all-white dials. However, to me, there isn’t really a standout version like Hamilton’s turquoise Scuba. So, for this summer, I’m wearing the turquoise Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Auto all day long.

Time to cast your vote

There you have it — another Sunday Morning Showdown. Which watch would you pick for the sunny summer days? Would you go for the sandy Mido Ocean Star 200 or the wavy Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Auto? It’s time to cast your vote below, and don’t forget to tell us why you voted the way you did in the comments below.