Following up on the success of its first retro-themed release, MIDO has continued the narrative with a new model dubbed the Multifort TV Big Date Special Edition S01E02. This naming convention, mimicking a television series, confirms the brand is fully committed to the concept, presenting this watch as the "second episode" in a new collection. This new piece, carrying the reference number M049.526.33.081.01, expands on the 1970s-inspired design with a new dial and a complete package aimed at enthusiasts who enjoy nostalgic design backed by modern Swiss mechanics.
The entire "series" is a direct nod to the golden age of television, and this S01E02 model leans heavily into that inspiration. The first release established the TV-shaped case, but this special edition focuses on the screen itself. It's designed to evoke the specific visual of vintage television color bars, a test pattern that was a familiar sight for generations. This model is presented as a collector's item, coming in a special box with accessories that broaden its versatility.
Courtesy of MIDO
Before examining the watch itself, it's worth noting MIDO's long history. The company was established in 1918 by Georges Schaeren in Switzerland. The name "MIDO" is derived from the Spanish phrase "Yo mido," which translates to "I measure." This simple, direct statement has guided the brand's philosophy for over a century, prioritizing functionality, precision, and durability. MIDO has often been recognized for its robust and practical watches, with lines like the Multifort being pillars of its reputation for reliability.
Operating from Le Locle in the Swiss Jura mountains, MIDO is part of the larger Swatch Group. This affiliation provides the brand with access to extensive research, development, and movement manufacturing capabilities, allowing it to incorporate advanced technology into its timepieces. The brand's core mission is to blend this technical substance with strong aesthetic design, often pulling from its own extensive archives while incorporating cutting-edge materials and movements.
The new Multifort TV Big Date is a clear example of this philosophy. The case shape is the most obvious link to the past, inspired by MIDO models from the 1970s when this "TV" or cushion-style case was highly popular. The new model's case is crafted from stainless steel and given a complete anthracite grey PVD coating. This physical vapor deposition process gives the watch a dark, satin-finished, almost industrial look that serves as a monochrome frame for the dial.
In terms of dimensions, the case measures 40mm wide by 39.2mm from top to bottom, with a thickness of 11.5mm. The lug-to-lug distance, a critical measurement for on-wrist comfort, is 46.85mm. These modern proportions ensure that while the design is retro, the fit is contemporary and suitable for a wide range of wrist sizes. The case construction is robust, featuring a screw-down crown that is shielded by an integrated crown guard, protecting it from impacts.
Courtesy of MIDO
This durable build, which also includes a screw-on exhibition case back, secures a water-resistance rating of 10 bar, or 100 meters (330 feet). This level of water resistance makes the watch perfectly suitable for daily wear, including swimming, and reinforces the Multifort line's reputation for utility. The watch isn't just a novelty design piece; it's engineered to be a reliable daily companion.
Protecting the dial is a flat sapphire crystal. MIDO has applied an anti-reflective treatment to both faces of the crystal. This is a significant functional upgrade, as it dramatically cuts down on glare and reflections, making the dial exceptionally clear and legible. This double-sided coating makes the crystal seem to disappear, allowing an unobstructed view of the intricate dial work.
The dial is the main story of this "episode." It directly reproduces the look of a vintage television test pattern. The center of the grey, graduated dial features an embossed, three-dimensional motif of the familiar color bars—yellow, cyan, green, magenta, red, and blue—alongside representations of "pixel noise" or static. The brand and model names, "MIDO" and "MULTIFORT," are printed in white and integrated directly into this colorful central block.
This textured, multi-colored center is set against a grey border. A distinctive feature of the collection, the hour markers are not applied on top of the dial but are recessed into this border. These markers are filled with white Super-LumiNova to provide visibility in low-light conditions. The outer edge of the dial, or flange, is black and marked with a contrasting white minute track, aiding in precise time-setting.
Courtesy of MIDO
Legibility is further supported by the handset. The hour and minute hands are diamond-cut and faceted, which allows them to catch light from multiple angles. They are also coated with white Super-LumiNova, matching the hour markers. The seconds hand is a flat, diamond-cut and faceted design that sweeps across the "screen," adding a sense of constant motion to the static-filled dial.
The watch's name is completed by its signature complication: the "Big Date." Positioned prominently at the 12 o'clock location, this feature uses two separate, co-planar discs to display the date. This mechanism allows for numerals that are significantly larger than those on a conventional date wheel, offering outstanding readability. On this model, the date is shown as white numerals on a black background, which balances the black flange at the dial's edge.
Driving the Multifort TV Big Date S01E02 is the MIDO Caliber 80. This self-winding movement, based on the ETA C07.651, is a modern workhorse for many Swatch Group brands. Its most celebrated feature is its extended power reserve of up to 80 hours. This is more than double the industry standard of around 38-42 hours, meaning the watch can be set down for an entire weekend and will still be running on Monday morning.
A key technological component within the Caliber 80 is its Nivachron™ balance spring. This innovative, titanium-based alloy provides significant, real-world advantages. It is highly resistant to the negative effects of magnetic fields, which are increasingly common in our daily environment due to smartphones, laptops, and other electronics. It is also exceptionally resistant to shocks and temperature variations, all ofwhich contributes to greater precision and long-term stability.
Courtesy of MIDO
The movement isn't just functional; it's also decorated. The watch is equipped with a transparent case back, allowing a view of the automatic caliber inside. The oscillating weight (the rotor that winds the watch) is decorated with Côtes de Genève stripes and features the engraved MIDO logo. The movement is also adjusted in three different positions to ensure its timekeeping accuracy out of the box.
This special edition comes fitted on an integrated stainless steel bracelet. The bracelet is treated with the same grey PVD coating as the case, creating a seamless, monochrome look. The design of the bracelet consists of satin-finished outer links and polished center links, adding a touch of visual contrast and refinement. It secures to the wrist with a folding clasp that has a push-button release mechanism.
A major highlight of the "S01E02" package is its versatility. The watch is presented in a special edition box that reflects the television theme. Inside, the owner will find two additional straps. These are not afterthoughts but high-quality options designed to completely alter the watch's character. Both straps are made of flexible rubber, one in a vibrant, bright yellow and the other in an equally bold blue.
These rubber straps feature a pin buckle made of PVD-treated stainless steel, matching the case. The bracelet and straps are all equipped with a quick-change system, allowing the owner to easily swap between the steel bracelet and the rubber straps without the need for special tools. This transforms the watch from a dark, industrial-style piece to a bright, casual, and sporty summer watch in seconds.
Courtesy of MIDO
The MIDO Multifort TV Big Date S01E02 is being launched as a special edition, offering a unique combination of nostalgic design, modern watchmaking technology, and a versatile three-in-one strap system. This package appeals to enthusiasts of fine Swiss mechanics who also appreciate a striking and unconventional design.
This new "episode" in the Multifort TV Big Date series is available through official MIDO retailers. The watch, complete with its special presentation box, the steel bracelet, and the two additional rubber straps, is priced at $1,610.00. This positioning continues MIDO's tradition of offering significant technical features, such as the 80-hour power reserve and Nivachron balance spring, at an accessible price point.
Case: Satin-finished and polished stainless steel with grey PVD treatment. 40 x 39.2 mm diameter, 11.5 mm thickness, 46.85 mm lug-to-lug, 22 mm lug width. Sapphire crystal with double-sided anti-reflection treatment. See-through screw-on case back. Screw-down crown. Water-resistant to 10 bar (100 m / 330 ft).
Movement: MIDO automatic Caliber 80 (ETA C07.651 base). 25 jewels, 21,600 Vib/h, Nivachron™ balance spring. Power reserve up to 80 hours. Functions: HMS and instantaneous big date. Oscillating weight decorated with Côtes de Genève and MIDO logo.
Dial: Multicoloured on a grey background with a vintage television design in relief. Recessed hour markers coated with white Super-LumiNova®. Big date aperture at 12 o'clock. Hands are diamond-cut and faceted, coated with white Super-LumiNova®.
Strap: Grey PVD-treated satin-finished stainless steel bracelet with polished centre links and folding clasp. Includes two additional straps in blue and yellow rubber with PVD pin buckles. All feature a quick-change system.
Price: $1,610.00
Reference Number: M049.526.33.081.01
Notes: Special Edition "S01E02" presented in a special box. The dial is embossed with a design resembling vintage television color bars. The TV-shaped case is inspired by MIDO models from the 1970s.