The Mido Multifort TV 35 is a slender, snazzy steal
Buffy Acacia- The Mido Multifort TV 35 shows a dedication to vintage sizing as well as styling.
- Despite its reduced size, the range retains solid specifications across a variety of references.
- The automatic Mido Calibre 72 has a 72-hour power reserve, even though it’s only 3.85mm thick.
To say that vintage styles have returned to watchmaking would be a gross understatement, considering that almost every new watch in the last few years has incorporated some kind of callback. But, for all of the niches explored and technologies revisited, it’s rare that a company will actually embrace vintage sizing. For those who appreciate the quality of contemporary manufacturing but crave the proportions of bygone eras, the Mido Multifort TV 35 offers quirky, vintage value in a compact package.
The full size version of the Mido Multifort TV Big Date isn’t exactly a huge watch, with a lug-to-lug length of 46.5mm that will easily fit on a smaller wrist. That said, not everything is purely about wrist fit. Just like listening to music at a low volume, a small watch will pull focus towards its strongest features at a quick glance, but be just as rewarding upon inspection. The extra space on your arm lets various aspects of the design breathe, as well as allowing you to see more of the bracelet. The new Mido Multifort TV 35 measures 35mm x 34.2mm, with a lug-to-lug distance of 41.88mm. That’s even a tiny bit smaller than some similar Mido references from the ‘70s, proving Mido’s dedication to diverse sizing.
Just because the 35mm Multifort TV is small, that doesn’t mean it has skimped on any important details. In fact, despite its stature, the case is still water-resistant to 100 metres for a swimmable experience. Considering the watch’s total thickness of just 9.4mm, that’s pretty impressive. The Multifort TV 35 range isn’t exclusively filled with condescendingly feminine references, either. The flagship model may have a rose gold PVD treatment on its stainless steel case and diamond indices on the fumé brown dial, but there are a total of five models available in this size. The other flashy variants use blue or white mother-of-pearl dials with diamonds, and the more versatile ones have grey or blue smoked dials with horizontal striations for added texture, as well as standard luminous dot indices.
The Mido Multifort TV 35 may not have the Big Date complication that has attracted a few people to the range, but there is still a 12 o’clock date display, and most people fall in love with this series for the case shape anyway. The date feature is courtesy of the automatic Mido Calibre 72, which is based on the ETA A31.111. It’s a movement typically favoured by Mido’s dressier watches because of its ultra-thin measurement of just 3.85mm, despite a full-size winding rotor and the date complication. It’s not quite a record breaking feat, but it’s astounding for the budget. It runs at 25,200 vibrations per hour, and doesn’t cut any corners with a 72-hour power reserve.
Mido Multifort TV 35 pricing and availability
The Mido Multifort TV 35 collection is currently available from Mido boutiques and will be coming to the Time+Tide Shop soon. Price: US$1,270 (steel blue, grey), US$1,320 (steel with MOP), US$1,500 (rose gold PVD)
| Brand | Mido |
| Model | Multifort TV 35 |
| Case Dimensions | 35mm (W) x 34.2mm (H) x 9.4mm (T) x 41.88mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire with anti-reflective coating |
| Dial | Brown, grey, or blue fumé Blue or white mother of pearl |
| Lug Width | 18mm |
| Strap | Case-matching steel bracelet, folding clasp |
| Movement | Calibre 72, ETA A31.111 base, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 72 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | US$1,270 (steel with blue or grey dials) US$1,320 (steel with MOP dials) US$1,500 (rose gold PVD) |