Retrospective: An Unexpected NOS Mimo Tuxedo Tank Find

A Mimo watch has been on my wishlist for almost a decade. Although I am on a hunt for different Mimo models, I simply couldn’t resist this tuxedo tank. With an original strap, buckle, and even the brand tag, it looks like it just left the Mimo factory.

Mimo is one of the brands we need to look at closely in the coming years. In the early 1900s, the company released multiple innovative watches, including the Mimo-Meter, one of the most fascinating big-date watches I have ever seen. Another interesting timepiece was a double-sided Mimorex watch. One of my longest hunts is for the Mimolympic, a tank watch with a basic monopusher chronograph function, likely released for the Olympics in 1936.

History

Mimo was founded by Otto Graef, a German watchmaker who settled in Switzerland. The company’s name stands for “Manufacture Internationale de Montres Or,” which translates to “International Manufacturer of Gold Watches.” By the late 1920s, Girard-Perregaux, one of Switzerland’s oldest watchmakers, was in decline, struggling after World War I. In 1928, Otto Graef and his sons bought the remains of Girard-Perregaux and merged its operations with Mimo. After that, the company expanded its operation in the US, where it succeeded. By the 1950s, the third generation of the Graef family phased out the Mimo name. The focus shifted to building Girard-Perregaux into a global brand, and Mimo gradually disappeared from the market.

Today’s Mimo tuxedo tank

The other day, I was at home, taking a break from some tasks, and I clicked on a local auction site. I hadn’t been there for a few years. Honestly, I don’t even know why I decided to go there. I started by searching “Heuer,” and to my greatest surprise, I found an original 1945 catalog with — hold on to your chair — 50 pages! Encouraged by this once-in-a-decade discovery, I went on. After the mandatory “Omega,” “Breitling,” and “Gallet” searches, I typed in “Mimo.” Voilà! This beautiful Mimo tuxedo tank watch popped in front of my eyes. It was an auction, but I could submit an offer to the seller. I did, and it worked. A week later, the watch arrived, and I couldn’t be happier with it.

An all-original tuxedo

The small, super-thin crown is a joy to the wind. Since the top side of the straight case is angled, it allows my finger to slide naturally when winding the watch. The subtle but clear ratcheting sound when winding is beyond satisfactory. The small seconds hand starts moving, and I feel like I need to get my magnifier to read it. But then, my gaze shifts slightly higher to enjoy the view of short but chunky so-called pencil hands. Interestingly, they aged differently than the Arabic numerals, but under UV, the luminescent material appears untouched and fades consistently.

The central rectangular background in matte pearl highlights the simple Mimo logo, which couldn’t be classier. The contrasting black track with hour numerals is rich black, showing no traces of aging or fading. There is not a single scratch or stain, and it looks like just came out from under the printing pad. With no other scratches on the case, this is one of the most breathtaking 1930s watches I have ever handled. And I mean it. It doesn’t matter that there is no specific complication; the condition is simply unbelievable. I had to say it aloud: “This watch is almost a hundred years old — can you believe it?!”

Strap under the loupe

I dare say that the original strap adds to the magical impression. It has a rounded tip and box-style stitching, and it’s made of thin leather that’s still surprisingly soft. Tiny cracks on the inner lining are the only reminder of the strap’s age. My favorite detail is the thin metal clip that fastens the keeper together. That’s another detail you won’t see on any other straps. I enjoy it even more if I remember my experience yesterday. When I was unstrapping one of my favorite straps from Colareb, the keeper fell off because of the tired glue. That strap is about five years old but wasn’t worn that often due to me having hundreds of watches in my rotation. Anyway, coming back to the metal clip on the Mimo strap keeper, it’s another example of how things were built to last.

Mimo’s thin buckle

If I may stop for another minute at the strap, I would pinpoint the buckle. I’m not sure if it is even one millimeter thick. It looks so flat that it’s as if someone took a giant hammer and smashed it until it became a pancake. The design is perfect, as are the manipulation and wearability.

Wrist presence

With a 22mm × 40mm size, this watch is no midget. When strapped to the wrist, the contrasting tuxedo dial makes it scream for miles. The curved top makes it easy to slide under the cuff. If you can forget the small seconds, reading the time is clear and quick. I won’t sport this watch for an adventurous weekend with kids, but it’s a perfect choice for a business lunch. And it’s my first Mimo watch. Happy hunting!