Baselworld 2018 Teaser: Introducing the Multifort Datometer, a Stunning Neo-Vintage Design Celebrating Mido’s 100th Anniversary

Mido is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and to mark the momentous occasion the Swiss firm is tapping its archives to bring back an iconic watch the brand launched way back in 1939—the Multifort Datometer. The 2018 version is a surprisingly close recreation of the historical watch, capturing much of its charm and intended functionality.

The most noticeable difference here comes through the dimensions; the case has been upsized to 40mm (with a height of 11.85mm). While I would have preferred something a bit closer to 38mm, I’ll concede that 40mm works for the vast majority of the buying public. More importantly, however, is that upscaling the design here doesn’t ruin the dial balance. This is in large part due to the lack of a date aperture, which is often placed far too close to the center of the dial in larger-cased watches housing smaller movements and results in a window that looks like its floating within the dial. Instead, what we have here is a pointer date,—a defining feature of the historical model.

Aesthetically, the Multifort Datometer is neo-vintage at its best. The silvered dial is finely sandblasted for a beautiful, frosted effect, with black print and rose gold PVD indexes to really sell the classic look. An outer ring houses the date track, which is paired to a central hand with a red-tipped crescent. Though it may not look it at first there is luminous paint on the numerals and hands, rendered here in black Super-LumiNova. My experience with black Super-LumiNova is that it won’t glow like a torch at night, but it should provide enough visibility to be functional, which is more than adequate for a watch of this style. Capping off the neo-vintage vibe is the old-style Mido logo below twelve alongside “Multifort Datometer.” At six, you’ll find the words “Super-Automatic.” Protecting the dial is a box sapphire crystal.

One of my favorite details on the original watch, and it’s one that they’ve kept here, is the scalloped lug. It’s something in between a bevel and a twist, and it goes a long way in dressing up the case. The cutaway here looks really sharp, accentuating the mixed finishing on the rose gold PVD case.

Powering the Watch is Mido’s Caliber 80, essentially a reworked ETA 2824 with 80 hours of power reserve and a slowed beat rate of 21,600. Mido adjusts this movement to three positions. The decorated caliber can be seen through the case back.

In a nod to the year Mido was founded, the Multifort Datometer will be limited to 1,918 units. It will come on a brown leather strap with a matching PVD-treated pin buckle. The expected MSRP for this piece is $1,350. An exclusive solid gold vesion limited to 100 units will be released in the fall (pricing on that is unknown). Mido