In a landscape often dominated by circular timepieces, the reintroduction of unconventional case shapes signals a refreshing current of creative confidence. Among these, the "TV screen" silhouette—a soft-cornered rectangle reminiscent of mid-century television sets—has made a significant comeback, appealing to enthusiasts who appreciate a blend of retro-cool and modern mechanics. Swiss watchmaker MIDO has boldly entered this arena, expanding its robust Multifort collection with a new contender: the Multifort TV Chronograph. This watch is not merely a stylistic nod to the past; it’s a fully equipped, contemporary sports chronograph that marries a distinctive 1970s-inspired aesthetic with the high-performance engine of a 21st-century automatic movement.
The Multifort TV Chronograph asserts its presence immediately, offering a compelling alternative for those looking to express a unique sense of style. It masterfully combines the functional demands of a chronograph with a design that is both charismatic and technically sound. By integrating one of watchmaking's most beloved complications into its iconic TV-shaped case, MIDO has created a timepiece that feels both familiar and entirely new. It is a watch designed for standout moments, engineered to perform under pressure while making a distinct visual statement on the wrist, a testament to the brand's ability to evolve its heritage designs for today's audience.
Courtesy of MIDO
To fully appreciate the Multifort TV Chronograph, one must understand the foundation upon which it is built. MIDO was established in 1918 by the visionary Swiss watchmaker Georges Schaeren. The name itself, derived from the Spanish phrase "Yo mido" ("I measure"), encapsulates the brand’s core purpose: the precise measurement of time. From its inception, MIDO has cultivated a reputation for producing watches that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also exceptionally durable and functional, often drawing inspiration from architectural marvels to symbolize strength and longevity.
This philosophy has guided MIDO for over a century, positioning the brand as a purveyor of high-quality Swiss mechanical watches that offer remarkable value. The company's commitment to excellence is evident in its use of cutting-edge technology, superior materials, and movements renowned for their precision. MIDO has consistently focused on making automatic movements the heart of its collections, ensuring that each timepiece is a reliable companion for daily life. This legacy of robust, accessible, and well-designed watches provides the perfect context for the modern Multifort collection and its latest chronological star.
The Multifort collection itself has a storied history, first launched in the 1930s and distinguished by its durability, anti-magnetic properties, and water resistance—features that were pioneering for the era. The collection has always embodied an industrial and architectural spirit, famously drawing inspiration from the imposing structure of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This ethos of strength and endurance is carried forward into the Multifort TV Chronograph, which, while visually distinct, shares the same DNA of resilience and performance that has defined the Multifort name for decades.
Courtesy of MIDO
The most defining feature of this timepiece is undeniably its case. The stainless steel housing takes the form of a soft rectangle, measuring 42 mm across and 41.2 mm in length. This "TV" shape, a cult favorite from the 1970s, is rendered here with modern precision and finishing. The case architecture is a dynamic play of surfaces, with a prominent, flat, satin-brushed bezel that frames the dial, contrasting sharply with the polished, chamfered edges that run along the case flanks. This interplay between brushed and polished finishes catches the light beautifully, highlighting the unique geometry and giving the watch a sophisticated, multi-dimensional appearance.
With a thickness of 14.3 mm, the watch has a substantial but well-balanced presence on the wrist. The design is meticulously considered, from the screw-down crown that ensures water resistance to the two chronograph push-buttons that flank it, seamlessly integrated into the case design. The lugs are short and sharply angled, allowing the integrated bracelet and strap to flow naturally from the case, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit. This thoughtful construction results in a watch that is both visually striking and ergonomically sound, suitable for a wide range of wrist sizes.
Protecting the intricate dial is a flat sapphire crystal, a material prized in watchmaking for its exceptional scratch resistance. MIDO enhances its functionality further by applying an anti-reflective coating to both sides of the crystal. This practical detail significantly reduces glare and improves legibility, ensuring the dial can be read clearly from any angle and in various lighting conditions. This commitment to practicality is further underscored by the watch's water resistance rating of 10 bar, or 100 meters (330 feet), making it a reliable companion for daily wear, capable of handling splashes, rain, and even swimming.
Courtesy of MIDO
The dial is where the Multifort TV Chronograph truly comes alive, presenting a spectacle of color and texture. It features a stunning gradient effect, transitioning from a vibrant, intense blue at its center to a deep, inky midnight blue at its periphery. This captivating chromatic shift is enhanced by a pronounced horizontal brushing that stretches across the entire surface. This texture interacts dynamically with light, creating a sense of depth and movement that is hypnotic to observe. The dial is a canvas of constantly changing blues, ensuring the watch remains visually engaging throughout the day.
Arranged with perfect symmetry and clarity upon this blue backdrop are the chronograph's three counters. At 3 o'clock sits the 30-minute counter, at 6 o'clock the 12-hour counter, and at 9 o'clock the running small seconds display. These subdials are subtly recessed and feature a light blue color that contrasts gently with the main dial, aiding in quick and easy reading of elapsed time. The large central hand tracks the chronograph seconds, sweeping smoothly across the dial when activated. Completing the functional display is a discreet date window, neatly tucked away at the 4:30 position.
Readability, a cornerstone of MIDO's design philosophy, is exemplary. The applied hour indexes stand in relief against the brushed dial, filled with generous amounts of white Super-LumiNova, a high-performance phosphorescent material. The nickel-coated, diamond-cut hour and minute hands are similarly treated, ensuring that the time can be read effortlessly, even in complete darkness. A tachymeter scale, used for measuring speed over a fixed distance, is printed on the flange surrounding the dial, reinforcing the watch's sporty capabilities and adding another layer of functional detail to its stylish face.
Courtesy of MIDO
Visible through a transparent sapphire case back is the engine that powers this impressive machine: the MIDO Caliber 60. This automatic chronograph movement, based on the reliable ETA A05.231, is at the forefront of modern watchmaking technology. One of its most significant advantages is an extended power reserve of up to 60 hours. This is a substantial improvement over the standard 48 hours offered by many chronograph movements, meaning the watch can be left unworn for a full weekend and will still be running accurately on Monday morning.
The Caliber 60 operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, which contributes to the smooth sweep of the seconds hand and the movement's overall accuracy. MIDO ensures that the movement is finely decorated, a detail enthusiasts will appreciate. Through the case back, one can observe the circular-grained bridges, the distinctive blued screws, and an openworked oscillating weight, which is engraved with the MIDO logo. This level of finishing demonstrates a commitment to horological tradition and aesthetic refinement that extends beyond what is immediately visible.
A key technological innovation within the Caliber 60 is the inclusion of a Nivachron™ balance spring. This advanced component is crafted from a titanium-based alloy that offers several critical benefits. It is highly resistant to the effects of magnetic fields, which are increasingly common in our daily environment from electronics and can severely impact a mechanical watch's accuracy. Furthermore, the Nivachron™ spring is remarkably robust against shocks and the effects of temperature variation, ensuring consistent and reliable timekeeping in virtually any situation. This high-tech feature elevates the movement's performance and guarantees exceptional long-term durability.
Recognizing that versatility is key for the modern watch owner, MIDO delivers the Multifort TV Chronograph as a special edition package that includes two distinct strap options. The primary option is a robust stainless steel bracelet that is integrated directly into the case, creating a seamless and cohesive look. It features satin-finished links with polished central elements, mirroring the finishing of the case and providing a sophisticated, urban aesthetic. The bracelet fastens with a secure folding clasp engraved with the MIDO logo.
Courtesy of MIDO
For a more casual or sporty feel, the package also includes an additional strap made from a durable blue synthetic fabric, accented with clean white stitching that complements the dial's details. This strap is fitted with a classic stainless steel pin buckle. A significant feature is the inclusion of a quick-change system, allowing the wearer to effortlessly switch between the bracelet and the strap without the need for any tools. This thoughtful addition dramatically enhances the watch's versatility, allowing it to adapt to different occasions and styles with ease.
This special edition package offers a comprehensive and compelling proposition for watch enthusiasts. For a retail price of $2,610.00, the buyer receives not just a high-performance Swiss-made automatic chronograph, but a complete set designed for versatility. The inclusion of the special box, the stainless steel bracelet, and the additional fabric strap with its easy-change system provides outstanding value. The MIDO Multifort TV Chronograph is available through MIDO's network of official retailers and its online e-boutique.
Case: Stainless steel, rectangular TV-shape, 42mm x 41.2mm dimensions, 14.3mm thickness, 23mm 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 60 (ETA A05.231 base), self-winding chronograph. Power reserve up to 60 hours, 28 jewels, 28,800 Vib/h, Nivachron™ balance spring. Decorated with blued screws and a skeletonised oscillating weight.
Dial: Blue to dark blue gradient with a pronounced horizontal brushed finish. Applied indexes and faceted hands with white Super-LumiNova®. Tachymeter scale on flange, date window at 4:30.
Strap: Integrated satin-finished stainless steel bracelet with polished central links and a folding clasp. Includes an additional blue synthetic fabric strap with a pin buckle and an easy interchangeability system.
Price: $2,610.00
Reference Number: M049.527.11.041.00
Notes: Special edition includes one additional strap with a quick-change system. Features a high-tech Nivachron™ balance spring for superior resistance to magnetic fields and shocks. The distinctive TV-shaped case is a modern revival of a popular 1970s design.