MIDO Multifort TV Chronograph Black PVD

The resurgence of retro-inspired design in the horological sphere has often felt like a double-edged sword, creating a market saturated with predictable reissues that sometimes lack the courage to innovate. However, there are moments when a brand manages to reach into its archives and pull out a concept that feels genuinely fresh because it was so distinct in the first place. The Mido Multifort TV Chronograph in Black PVD is a prime example of this phenomenon, revisiting the television-screen case shape of the 1970s but executing it with a modern, aggressive industrialism that completely transforms its character. It is a watch that trades the polite nostalgia of polished steel for the brooding, stealthy aesthetic of black PVD, resulting in a timepiece that feels less like a vintage heirlooms and more like a piece of tactical equipment designed for an urban environment.

To understand the gravity of this release, one must first look back at the company that created it. Founded in 1918 by Georges Schaeren, Mido has always marched to the beat of a slightly different drum than its Swiss counterparts. The name itself comes from the Spanish phrase "Yo mido," meaning "I measure," a moniker that implies a dedication to precision and utility rather than just ornamentation. While many brands spent the early 20th century chasing pure luxury, Mido pivoted early toward robustness and architectural design. This philosophy was cemented in 1934 with the launch of the original Multifort line. That collection was a milestone, introducing a level of water resistance, shock resistance, and anti-magnetic properties that was essentially the "tool watch" standard before the term was widely used. It set a precedent for durability that the brand has maintained for nearly a century, and it provides the lineage that the new TV Chronograph rests upon.



The specific "TV" shape that defines this watch is a direct nod to a fascinating era in industrial design. In the 1970s, as the quartz crisis began to loom and technology started to shift, watch designers experimented with non-traditional geometries. The rounded square, or "squircle," mimicking the cathode-ray tube television sets of the time, became a signature look for Mido. Bringing this shape back in a modern chronograph format is a bold move. It steps away from the safety of circular cases and demands a wearer who appreciates architectural lines. The implementation here is particularly striking because of the black physical vapor deposition (PVD) coating that covers the entire stainless steel chassis. This isn't just a layer of paint; it is a molecular bonding process that creates a surface far harder and more resistant to wear than bare metal, ensuring that the brooding aesthetic remains intact through the rigors of daily wear.

Visually, the case is a masterclass in managing bulky dimensions through clever shaping. Measuring 42mm in width and 41.2mm in length, it commands a significant amount of wrist real estate, yet the absence of traditional protruding lugs helps to keep the lug-to-lug distance to a manageable 50.80mm. The case flanks are substantial, imparting a feeling of solidity that inspires confidence. The PVD finish is primarily satin-brushed, which is the correct choice for a watch of this nature. A high-polish finish on a black watch can often look cheap or overly reflective, but the brushing here absorbs the light, enhancing the stealthy, tactical vibe. There are, however, polished accents on the bezel and bracelet center links that catch the light just enough to provide contrast and definition, preventing the watch from looking like a flat black void.

The dial of the Multifort TV Chronograph is where the texture really takes center stage. Mido has employed a pronounced horizontal brushing technique across the dial surface. This texture interacts with the light in a dynamic way, creating peaks and valleys that add depth and complexity to the face of the watch. It is not a flat matte dial; it feels alive and metallic. The color is a gradient that transitions from a dark grey in the center to a deep, abyssal black at the periphery. This "fumé" or smoked effect draws the eye inward toward the central hands and sub-dials, creating a natural focal point. It is a subtle design cue that adds a layer of sophistication to what is otherwise a very sporty and rugged interface.

Contrast is critical on a dark watch, and Mido has utilized a beige, faux-patina color for the indices and hands. While the "fauxtina" debate often divides collectors, in this context, it works exceptionally well. The warm, sandy tones of the Super-LumiNova dampen the harshness of the black case, adding a touch of warmth that prevents the watch from feeling too clinical or cold. The indices are applied, not printed, sitting proud of the dial surface to add yet another layer of three-dimensionality. In low-light conditions, this beige coating glows fiercely, ensuring that the primary function of the watch—telling time—is never compromised by its dark aesthetic. The legibility is surprisingly high for a "phantom" style watch, largely thanks to this high-contrast choice of marker color.



The layout of the chronograph functions follows a 12-6-9 configuration, a classic arrangement that provides balance to the dial. At the 12 o'clock position, there is a sandblasted dot, a small but significant detail that helps Orient the eye and provides a datum point for reading the chronograph seconds. The sub-dials themselves are slightly recessed, breaking up the horizontal brushing of the main dial with a smoother texture. The sub-dial at 3 o'clock counts the chronograph minutes, the one at 6 o'clock counts the hours, and the running seconds are located at 9 o'clock. The hands on these sub-dials are diamond-cut and faceted, catching the light as they sweep around their respective tracks. It is a busy dial, certainly, but the layout is logical and intuitive, prioritizing the information that matters most.

One of the more contentious features on any watch is the date window, but the integration here is thoughtful. Positioned at 4:30, the date aperture slides in between the indices without destroying the symmetry of the hour markers. Crucially, the date disc is black with white numerals (or potentially beige to match the indices, depending on the specific lighting conditions observed), allowing it to blend seamlessly into the gradient background. It is there when you need it, but it effectively disappears when you don't. This kind of attention to detail—avoiding the jarring "white rectangle on a black dial" mistake—shows that the design team was sweating the small stuff.

Encasing the dial is a flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides. The use of double-sided AR coating is significant because it eliminates the glare that can often plague black-dialed watches. When looking at the watch from an angle, the crystal should ideally vanish, leaving nothing but the texture of the dial and the hands. The flat profile of the crystal also reinforces the industrial, blocky aesthetic of the TV shape. A domed crystal might have softened the look too much; the flat glass maintains the sharp, modern lines that define the Multifort's character.

On the right side of the case, the crown and pushers are guarded by substantial shoulders. The crown is a screw-down variety, a feature that contributes to the watch's 100-meter (10 bar) water resistance. This is a vital specification for a sports chronograph. It means the watch is not just "splash-proof" but is actually capable of swimming and recreational water activities. The pushers have a satisfying, mechanical feel to them, operating with a crisp engagement that allows for precise timing of events. The integration of the pushers into the case flank is smooth, avoiding the "pump pusher" look of vintage pieces in favor of a more streamlined, hydrodynamic profile.



Turning the watch over reveals a display case back, offering a view of the mechanical engine within. The movement powering this beast is the Mido Caliber 60. Based on the architecture of the ETA A05.231, this is a cam-and-lever chronograph movement that has been optimized for modern expectations. The "60" in the name refers to its power reserve: up to 60 hours. This is a significant upgrade over the standard 42 or 48 hours found in older Valjoux-based movements. It means you can take the watch off on a Friday evening and pick it up on Monday morning, and it will likely still be running. For a collector with a rotation of watches, that extra buffer of power reserve is a massive quality-of-life improvement.

Beyond just the power reserve, the Caliber 60 is equipped with a Nivachron balance spring. This is a proprietary titanium-based alloy that was developed to solve one of the biggest problems in mechanical watchmaking: magnetism. In our modern world, we are surrounded by magnetic fields from laptops, smartphones, magnetic clasps on bags, and speakers. A traditional steel hairspring can get magnetized easily, causing the watch to run erratically. The Nivachron spring is virtually impervious to these fields, ensuring that the watch keeps accurate time regardless of the electronic gadgets it encounters. It is also highly resistant to shock and temperature variations, making the movement as robust as the case that protects it.

The decoration on the movement is industrial and clean, fitting the theme of the watch. You can see blued screws, circular-grained bridges, and a skeletonized oscillating weight adorned with the Mido logo and Geneva stripes. It is not hand-finished haute horlogerie, but it is a well-engineered, reliable Swiss engine that looks good through the sapphire window. The visual complexity of the movement contrasts nicely with the stark, monolithic exterior of the case, serving as a reminder of the mechanical complexity beating inside the armor.

The Mido Multifort TV Chronograph Black PVD is a heavy watch, weighing in at approximately 208 grams on the full bracelet. For those who prefer a "barely there" feel, this might be a point of contention, but for many enthusiasts, that weight is a reassuring sign of quality. It feels dense and substantial, a slab of steel that asserts its presence on the wrist. The weight is distributed well, however, thanks to the broad flat case back which sits planting on the wrist. The relatively low center of gravity helps prevent the watch from flopping around, despite its 14.3mm thickness. It is a watch that wears its size proudly, demanding to be noticed.

One of the most consumer-friendly aspects of this package is the inclusion of two different strap options. The watch comes mounted on a stainless steel bracelet with the same black PVD finish as the case. The bracelet features a three-link design with polished center links and brushed outer links, mirroring the finishing on the bezel. It is integrated seamlessly into the case, creating a unified, continuous line from the watch head around the wrist. The clasp is a folding type with push-button release, secure and easy to operate.



For those days when the full black metal look is too intense, or to simply reduce the weight, Mido includes a second strap in the box. This is a beige leather strap with a "patina finish" that perfectly matches the color of the indices and hands. It features black stitching and a black PVD pin buckle. Swapping between the bracelet and the strap completely changes the personality of the watch. On the bracelet, it is a modern, urban warrior; on the strap, it takes on a more rugged, desert-explorer vibe. The color coordination between the strap leather and the dial luminescence is spot-on, creating a cohesive design language that ties the whole package together.

Mido has incorporated a quick-change system for the straps, which is a feature that should be standard on all modern luxury watches. There is no need for spring bar tools or scratching up the lugs with clumsy tool work. A simple mechanism allows the owner to detach the bracelet and snap on the leather strap in seconds. This encourages the user to actually use both options, rather than leaving one in the box permanently because the swapping process is too much hassle. It highlights the versatility of the watch, allowing it to transition from a casual office environment to a weekend adventure with a simple click.

The market for automatic chronographs in the $3,000 price range is fiercely competitive, populated by giants of the industry. However, the Multifort TV Chronograph carves out a unique niche for itself. It is not trying to be a Moonwatch, and it is not trying to be a racing chronograph from the 1960s. It is its own thing—a 1970s TV shape reimagined through a lens of modern tactical gear. The combination of the unique case geometry, the high-performance movement with anti-magnetic technology, and the generous inclusion of two straps creates a value proposition that is hard to ignore. It offers a lot of "watch for the money," combining Swiss heritage with distinct styling that won't be mistaken for anything else in a crowded room.

The durability of the PVD coating is a common concern for buyers, but modern PVD technology has come a long way. The coating on the Multifort is designed to withstand the scrapes and bumps of daily life. While it will eventually show signs of wear if abused—as any tool should—the black finish tends to age gracefully, developing a unique character over years of ownership. The underlying stainless steel is protected, and the watch retains its structural integrity. This is a timepiece meant to be worn, not kept in a safe. It invites the owner to take it out into the world, to test its water resistance, to use its chronograph to time mundane and exciting events alike.



The tachymeter scale printed on the flange (the outer ring of the dial) adds another layer of functionality, allowing the user to measure speed over a known distance. While few people use this feature in the age of GPS and digital speedometers, it remains a staple of the chronograph genre, reinforcing the sporty, automotive connection. The scale is printed clearly in beige, maintaining the legibility and color scheme found elsewhere on the dial. It frames the brushed center dial perfectly, acting as a transitional zone between the crystal and the watch face.

In terms of acquisition, the Mido Multifort TV Chronograph Black PVD (reference M049.527.33.081.00) is priced at $3,050 USD. This price point places it squarely in the entry-level luxury segment, where it competes aggressively on specs and packaging. The watch is available through authorized Mido retailers and boutiques, as well as select online platforms. Considering the inclusion of the extra strap, the advanced Nivachron movement, and the unique case manufacturing, the price reflects a serious commitment to value. It is a robust package that offers a distinctive alternative to the mainstream choices, backed by a brand with a century of expertise in making watches that measure up to the demands of real life.

Case: Stainless steel with black PVD coating, measuring 41.2mm x 42mm with a thickness of 14.3mm and a lug-to-lug length of 50.80mm. Features a screw-down crown, transparent case back, and sapphire crystal with double-sided anti-reflection treatment. Water-resistant to 10 bar (100m).

Movement: Mido Automatic Caliber 60 (ETA A05.231 base) with a power reserve of up to 60 hours. Features a Nivachron™ balance spring for magnetic resistance and provides chronograph, date, and small second functions.

Dial: Grey to black gradient with a horizontal brushed effect. Features beige Super-LumiNova® on the indexes and hands, a tachymeter scale on the flange, and a date aperture at 4:30.

Strap: Includes two interchangeable options: a satin-finished stainless steel bracelet with black PVD coating and folding clasp, and a beige leather strap with patina finish, black stitching, and black PVD pin buckle. Lugs width is 23.00mm.

Price: $3,050.00

Reference Number: M049.527.33.081.00

Notes: This special edition revives the brand's 1970s TV-shaped case design in a modern black PVD finish. It comes with an extra strap and features a high-tech Nivachron™ balance spring for enhanced durability and precision.