MIDO Multifort Skeleton Chronograph Black PVD

In the competitive arena of modern sports watches, creating a standout piece requires a deft combination of mechanical prowess, bold design, and a clear, unapologetic identity. Swiss watchmaker Mido has stepped into this arena with a new contender that exudes a powerful presence, the Multifort Skeleton Chronograph Black PVD. This timepiece is an aggressive and technical expression of watchmaking, drawing its inspiration directly from the high-octane world of motorsport, where every component is engineered for performance and every fraction of a second is critical. It merges the functional demands of a racing chronograph with the aesthetic intricacy of a skeletonized movement, creating a watch that is as much a mechanical spectacle as it is a precision instrument.

The story of MIDO itself is one built on a foundation of measuring time with purpose. Founded in 1918 by Georges Schaeren, the brand's name finds its roots in the Spanish phrase "yo mido," meaning "I measure." This simple yet profound declaration has guided the company's philosophy for over a century. From its base in Le Locle, located in the heart of the Swiss Jura mountains, MIDO has consistently focused on producing timepieces that balance innovative technology, high-quality materials, and functional design. The brand has carved out a niche for itself by offering the precision and features of high-end Swiss watchmaking at a more accessible level, making it a respected name among both new enthusiasts and seasoned collectors.



As part of the globally recognized Swatch Group, MIDO benefits from a vast reservoir of research, development, and manufacturing expertise. This allows the brand to incorporate advanced features into its watches, such as latest-generation automatic movements with extended power reserves and superior resistance to environmental factors like magnetism. The brand’s commitment to accuracy is further underscored by its frequent use of COSC-certified chronometer movements, which undergo stringent testing to meet the highest standards of Swiss precision. This dedication to quality is not just internal; it is about creating durable, reliable watches that stand the test of time, beyond the fleeting whims of fashion.

The Multifort collection has long been a cornerstone of the MIDO catalog, historically associated with robustness, reliability, and a strong, masculine aesthetic. These watches were built to be dependable companions for daily life and adventure. The introduction of the Multifort Skeleton Chronograph represents a significant evolution for this line. It takes the collection's established character of strength and pushes it into a new, more technically expressive territory. By peeling back the dial and exposing the intricate workings of its specialized movement, MIDO is showcasing its watchmaking confidence and catering to a modern audience that appreciates mechanical transparency as a key design element.

Visually, the watch makes an immediate and forceful impression. The entire piece is rendered in a deep, matte black, punctuated by vibrant flashes of bright orange. This color scheme is instantly recognizable as the signature livery of MIDO's sportier creations and directly evokes the instrumentation and design language of elite race cars. The deep black of the PVD-coated case and rubber strap creates a stealthy, modern canvas, allowing the orange details on the dial, hands, and tachymeter scale to stand out with exceptional clarity. The overall look is not subtle; it is dynamic, purposeful, and brimming with a sense of barely contained energy.



The case of the Multifort Skeleton Chronograph is a substantial piece of engineering, crafted from stainless steel and coated with a black PVD treatment. PVD, or Physical Vapor Deposition, is a process that bonds a thin, durable ceramic layer to the metal, resulting in a finish that is highly resistant to scratches and wear while providing the deep black coloration. Measuring a confident 43mm in diameter and 14.4mm in thickness, the watch possesses a modern, commanding presence on the wrist. The lug-to-lug distance of 50.67mm ensures that it is well-proportioned for its diameter, designed to sit securely and comfortably.

Further examination of the case reveals a thoughtful interplay of finishes. While predominantly black, the surfaces alternate between satin-brushed and polished textures. This subtle contrast prevents the watch from appearing monolithic, allowing it to catch and reflect light in different ways, highlighting its geometric lines and contours. This attention to detail demonstrates a level of refinement that elevates the watch beyond a simple tool. Practicality is also a key consideration in its construction. The watch is equipped with a screw-down crown, a feature essential for ensuring its water resistance rating of 10 bar, equivalent to 100 meters or 330 feet, making it more than capable of handling swimming and other water-related activities.

The dial is the undeniable focal point of the Multifort Skeleton Chronograph. Instead of a traditional solid surface, the watch features a dramatically open-worked structure. The skeletonization is executed in a distinctive X-shape, creating a powerful visual frame that draws the eye into the depths of the movement. This mechanical landscape is not merely a void; it is a canvas of finishing techniques. The visible bridges are decorated with circular graining and a combination of vertical and circular satin finishes, creating a captivating play of light and shadow that gives the dial a profound sense of depth.



This intricate mechanical backdrop hosts the watch's primary functions. Three subdials are arranged in a classic chronograph layout, counting 60 seconds, 30 minutes, and 12 hours. Their design is clean and instrument-like, reinforcing the motorsport theme. Encircling the dial on the flange is a tachymeter scale, printed in orange. This scale allows the user to calculate speed over a known distance by using the chronograph's central seconds hand, a feature with direct historical ties to motor racing.

Despite the visual complexity of the open-worked design, readability remains a priority. The applied hour indexes are three-dimensional and coated with orange Super-LumiNova®, a phosphorescent material that ensures they are visible in low-light conditions. The tri-faceted hour and minute hands are similarly treated, and feature a skeletonized groove down their center, a design choice that enhances the mechanical aesthetic without compromising their function. The central chronograph seconds hand is lacquered in a solid, vibrant orange, making it instantly distinguishable for timing events.

At the heart of this machine is the MIDO automatic Caliber 60, a self-winding chronograph movement based on the ETA A05.951. For this specific model, MIDO has utilized a new, specially skeletonized version, allowing its intricate architecture to be displayed. The Caliber 60 is at the forefront of modern movement technology, offering a substantial power reserve of up to 60 hours. This is a significant improvement over the standard 48-hour reserve found in many chronograph movements, allowing the watch to be set aside for a full weekend and still be running on Monday morning.

This movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), which translates to a smooth, sweeping motion for the seconds hand and contributes to its timekeeping precision. It is built with 28 jewels to reduce friction on critical moving parts, enhancing its longevity and reliability. For watchmakers, the movement is adjustable in three different positions, a hallmark of an "elaborate" grade movement, which allows for finer regulation and higher accuracy out of the box.



A key technological innovation incorporated into the Caliber 60 is the Nivachron™ balance spring. The balance spring is the heart of a mechanical movement, and its stability is crucial for accurate timekeeping. Nivachron™ is a modern, titanium-based alloy developed to be exceptionally resistant to the negative effects of magnetic fields, which are ubiquitous in our modern environment and can severely disrupt a watch's accuracy. Furthermore, it is highly resistant to shocks and the effects of temperature variations, ensuring that the watch maintains its chronometric performance consistently under a wide range of conditions.

The reverse side of the watch offers a second, equally captivating view of the movement through a transparent sapphire crystal case back. This exhibition window reveals further decorative finishing, including the circular-grained bridges and, most notably, the oscillating weight. This rotor, responsible for automatically winding the mainspring with the motion of the wearer's wrist, has also been finely skeletonized and is adorned with the MIDO logo. Watching it sweep over the decorated components below provides a constant reminder of the complex mechanical engine powering the timepiece.

Connecting this powerful case to the wrist is a textured black rubber strap. The choice of rubber is perfectly aligned with the watch's sporting intentions, as it is durable, waterproof, and comfortable to wear. The strap features a distinct ribbed texture that adds to its visual appeal and is embossed with the MIDO "M" logo near the lugs. It secures with a stainless steel pin buckle that has also been given a black PVD coating to match the case, ensuring a cohesive look. A thoughtful modern convenience is the inclusion of lug bars that allow for quick strap changes without the need for special tools, giving the owner the flexibility to easily customize the watch's style.

The overall package of the Multifort Skeleton Chronograph is one of cohesive and purposeful design. Every element, from the bold color choices and the PVD coating to the choice of a rubber strap and the advanced technology within the movement, works in concert to reinforce its identity as a high-performance, motorsport-inspired chronograph. It is a piece that showcases MIDO's capability to produce mechanically complex and stylistically daring watches that remain true to the brand's core values of quality and functionality.



For the enthusiast who appreciates both the aesthetic of exposed mechanics and the utility of a robust sports watch, this model presents a compelling proposition. It offers a visual experience that is constantly changing with the light and the movement of its internal components, while also providing the practical benefits of a 100-meter water-resistant case, a 60-hour power reserve, and the advanced material science of a Nivachron™ balance spring. It is a watch designed for those who are not just observers, but active participants.

The new MIDO Multifort Skeleton Chronograph Black PVD, with the reference number M038.662.37.050.00, is positioned as a technologically advanced and stylistically forward piece within the brand's lineup. It is available for purchase through MIDO's network of 2,400 official retailers across 70 countries, as well as on major digital sales platforms and the brand's own e-boutiques. The suggested retail price for this model is $2,630.00, a figure that reflects the complexity of its skeletonized chronograph movement, its advanced material features, and its bold, intricate design.

Case: Stainless steel with black PVD coating; 43mm diameter, 14.4mm thickness, 22mm lug width; sapphire crystal with double-sided anti-reflection treatment; see-through case back and screw-down crown; water-resistant to 10 bar (100 m / 330 ft).

Movement: MIDO Automatic skeletonised Caliber 60 (ETA A05.951 base); chronograph function; up to 60-hour power reserve; 28,800 Vib/h; features Nivachron™ balance spring.

Dial: Black, open-worked with vertical and circular satin finish; applied indexes with orange Super-LumiNova®; tachometer scale on flange; skeletonized hands with orange Super-LumiNova®.

Strap: Textured black rubber strap; black PVD-coated stainless steel pin buckle; features lug bars for quick strap changes.

Price: $2,630.00

Reference Number: M038.662.37.050.00

Notes: Features a newly developed skeletonized version of the Caliber 60 automatic chronograph movement. Incorporates a high-tech Nivachron™ balance spring for superior resistance to magnetic fields and shocks.