did rolex copy mido | mido review

The world of horology is rife with innovation, competition, and sometimes, whispers of inspiration crossing the lines of imitation. The question of whether Rolex, the undisputed king of luxury watches, ever “copied” Mido, a brand known for its robust and functional timepieces, might seem audacious at first glance. However, delving into the history of early automatic movements, particularly the “bumper” automatic, reveals a fascinating story of shared technology, independent development, and the subtle nuances of influence. This article will explore the historical context surrounding the development of the bumper automatic, focusing on the AS 1049 movement, its connection to Mido, and whether there’s any credible evidence to suggest Rolex drew undue inspiration from Mido in its early automatic endeavors. We’ll also touch upon the broader themes of design and innovation within the watch industry, comparing and contrasting Mido and Rolex across various categories like design ethos and target markets.

The Bumper Automatic: A Revolution in Winding

Before diving into the specifics of Rolex and Mido, it's crucial to understand the significance of the bumper automatic movement. In the early days of watchmaking, all watches required manual winding. The invention of the automatic movement, which winds the mainspring using the motion of the wearer’s wrist, was a major breakthrough.

The "bumper" automatic was one of the earliest forms of self-winding watches. Instead of a full rotor that spins 360 degrees, these movements used a weighted pendulum that oscillated back and forth, "bumping" against springs at either end of its travel. This bumping action, while less efficient than later full-rotor designs, provided enough energy to wind the mainspring over time.

The Harwood and the AS 1049: Seeds of Innovationdid rolex copy mido

The story of the bumper automatic begins with John Harwood, who patented the first self-winding wristwatch in 1923. Harwood's design, while groundbreaking, had limitations. It was a complex and somewhat fragile mechanism.

The AS 1049 movement, developed by Anton Schild (AS), is crucial to our discussion. It was a direct descendant, or rather, a simplified evolution of the Harwood design. Importantly, it was the *first AS bumper automatic movement without manual winding*. This meant the watch relied solely on the wearer's movement to keep it running. This was a significant simplification and a step towards more practical and reliable automatic watches.

The AS 1049 was used by various brands, including Judex and, importantly, Universal Genève. This widespread adoption highlights the movement's significance and its role in popularizing automatic watches. The AS 1049, while not directly a Mido creation, represents the technological landscape of the era.

Mido and the Bumper Automatic: A Pioneering Spirit

Mido, founded in 1918 by Georges Schaeren in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, quickly established a reputation for producing robust, water-resistant, and functional watches. They embraced new technologies and were early adopters of the automatic movement.

While Mido didn't invent the bumper automatic, they integrated it into their watches, contributing to its broader acceptance and refinement. Mido watches featuring bumper automatic movements were known for their reliability and durability, characteristics that resonated with their target audience. They were making watches for people who needed them to work, not just look pretty. This practicality and focus on durability is a recurring theme in Mido's history.

Rolex and the Bumper Automatic: A Different Approach

Rolex, on the other hand, took a slightly different path. While they were certainly aware of the bumper automatic technology, they focused their efforts on developing their own full-rotor automatic movements. Rolex introduced its first full-rotor automatic movement, the "Oyster Perpetual," in 1931. This was a pivotal moment for Rolex and for the future of automatic watchmaking.

The Oyster Perpetual offered several advantages over the bumper automatic. The full rotor provided more efficient winding, resulting in better timekeeping accuracy and a more consistent power reserve. It was also a more robust and reliable design, contributing to Rolex's reputation for durability.

Did Rolex Copy Mido? The Question of Influence

So, did Rolex copy Mido? The simple answer is no. There’s no direct evidence to suggest that Rolex directly copied any specific Mido design or movement. Rolex didn't use the AS 1049. They developed their own automatic movement, the Oyster Perpetual, which was based on a different design principle – the full rotor.

However, the question of *influence* is more nuanced. Both Mido and Rolex were operating in the same technological environment. They were both aware of the advancements in automatic movement technology, including the bumper automatic. It's reasonable to assume that Rolex engineers were aware of the AS 1049 and its implementation in watches from brands like Mido and Universal Genève.

The key distinction lies in the *direction* of influence. Rolex chose to pursue a different technological path, focusing on the full-rotor design. This suggests that they saw the full-rotor as a superior solution, rather than simply copying the existing bumper automatic technology. Furthermore, Rolex's pursuit of chronometric precision and robust construction led them to innovate and refine their own movements, setting them apart from brands relying on ebauche movements like the AS 1049.

Mido vs. Rolex: A Tale of Two Philosophies