Mido Baroncelli

The Baroncelli collection from Swiss watch manufacturer Mido contains a vast array of elegant and timeless dress watches. First introduced in 1976, the Baroncelli has been an integral part of Mido's catalog since 2006.

Options range from simple three-hand pieces and diamond-studded chronometers to models with a moon phase display, chronograph function, and complete calendar. Each Baroncelli is made of stainless steel, though select editions have a rose or yellow gold PVD coating. Some timepieces feature beautiful mother-of-pearl dials, while others come in a solid color or sunburst pattern. Most Baroncelli watches have a silvery-white dial; however, there are also more colorful alternatives, including black, anthracite, blue, and brown.

Automatic calibers from Swiss movement manufacturer ETA power these timepieces. Top models are COSC-certified chronometers and have an 80-hour power reserve.

If you're on the market for a simple three-hand watch that you can wear with any outfit, the Baroncelli collection has plenty to choose from. Those with a taste for exceptional precision will even find a number of models with chronometer certification from the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). One example is the Baroncelli Chronometer Silicon and its movement, the caliber 80 COSC Si, is based on the ETA C07.821. In addition to its extraordinary accuracy, this movement boasts a power reserve of 80 hours. It also features a date display at 3 o'clock.

Mido offers the Chronometer Silicon in two sizes: 34 and 40 mm. This makes it an interesting option for men and women alike. The dial comes in your choice of black, white, blue, or mother-of-pearl. You can also choose between watches with applied indices or models with Roman numerals at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock. Depending on their size and dial, stainless steel editions sell for between 960 and 1,100 USD. The two-tone version with an 18-karat rose gold bezel costs slightly more at 1,700 USD.

The caliber 80 COSC Si also powers the Baroncelli Jubilée. The only differences between this model and the Chronometer Silicon are its 42-mm case and the use of applied Arabic numerals. Prices for this timepiece range from 950 USD for a stainless steel watch on a leather strap to about 1,100 USD for the two-tone edition on a steel bracelet.

Mido also equips the Baroncelli III, Big Date, Donna, Lady Day, Diamonds, and Prisma models with a version of the caliber 80. Most house a movement based on the ETA C07.611. While these timepieces feature an 80-hour power reserve and date display, they don't come with COSC certification.

The 38-mm Baroncelli III and 40-mm Big Date are traditional men's dress watches. The Big Date has a particularly reserved design. It features a white or gray dial with applied line indices and an applied "XII" marker at 12 o'clock. The eponymous big date sits at 6 o'clock, lending the watch a stunning symmetry. In terms of case material, the Big Date is available in stainless steel, plated with rose gold, or as a two-tone edition. These timepieces demand anywhere from 820 to 1,000 USD.

The Baroncelli III comes in a wider variety of designs. You can choose from fine line indices, applied wedge-shaped markers, diamond indices, or applied Roman numerals. Dial colors include white, black, brown, blue, anthracite, silver, and gold. The stainless steel case has either a polished finish or a rose or yellow gold PVD coating. Stainless steel watches on a leather strap cost around 670 USD, while gold-plated models with diamond indices and a steel bracelet change hands for roughly 1,300 USD.

There are also plenty of women's Baroncelli watches. The 33-mm Donna, Lady Day, Diamonds, and Prisma have more intricate designs than their more masculine counterparts. For example, the dial of the Prisma features an oval centerpiece composed of 25 pieces of mother-of-pearl surrounded by diamonds. Then there's the Diamonds with its fine guilloché dial and diamond-encircled date display. Both the Lady Day and Donna come with classic mother-of-pearl dials and diamond hour indices. However, while the Lady Day has standard lugs, the Donna uses one central lug on each side of its case. Prices largely depend on the number of diamonds used. The most modest models demand as little as 730 USD, while more lavish timepieces with many diamonds and rose gold plating sell for some 1,200 USD.

The Baroncelli Heritage has this collection's most classic design. Its round case and tidy dial resemble Mido's early watches. There are versions with Roman numeral hour markers and others that use line indices for the hours and small dots for the minutes. The automatic caliber 1192 (a modified ETA 2892-A2) provides these timepieces with a date display at 3 o'clock. Mido offers this model in two sizes: the 33-mm Heritage Lady women's watch and the 39-mm Heritage Gent for men. Both are available with a black, white, anthracite, or mother-of-pearl dial. The stainless steel case comes with either a polished or rose gold-plated finish. Regardless of size, prices for the Baroncelli Heritage range from 880 to 1,100 USD.

For something a bit different, there's the barrel-shaped Baroncelli Tonneau Lady. This timepiece measures 30.5 x 35 mm and features diamond hour markers in place of line indices. It also has a date display at 6 o'clock. You can call this exquisite women's dress watch your own for around 1,100 USD.

The 40-mm Baroncelli Power Reserve shares much of its design with the Heritage Gent. However, unlike the Heritage watch, this model has a prominent power reserve indicator at 7 o'clock. A sapphire crystal case back offers a view of the ETA caliber 2897 within. This men's dress watch sells for between 770 USD for a stainless steel model and 1,400 USD for a two-tone edition.

The Baroncelli collection also contains several chronographs. For example, the Baroncelli Moon Phase boasts a chronograph function, moon phase display, and full calendar. All this functionality comes from the Valjoux 7751 movement. This 42-mm timepiece is available in polished stainless steel or with a rose gold coating. You can also choose between a leather strap or stainless steel bracelet. Expect to pay anywhere from 1,800 to 2,300 USD depending on the model.

The Baroncelli Chronograph costs significantly less. Its 42-mm stainless steel case houses the proven ETA 7750 caliber. This chronograph movement lends this timepiece a minute counter at 6 and hour counter at 12, as well as a day-date display at 3 and small seconds at 9 o'clock. The dial comes in black, white, or brown, and the case features either a polished or gold-plated finish. Plan to spend between 770 and 1,400 USD for one of these timepieces.