Review: Mido Multifort TV Big Date

Hands-on review of the Mido Multifort TV Big Date, an attractively priced sport watch in steel. Price from €1,110

With its square case featuring rounded corners, an easily legible dial adorned by a prominent big date display, and a dependable automatic movement ensuring over 3 full days of autonomy, the Mido Multifort TV Big Date stands out among accessible sport watches for its distinctive style that harks back to the 1970s. 

In fact, it was in 1973 that Mido introduced, for the first time in their collection, a line of model characterised by a TV-shaped case. New variations were later released in 1980 and 2000. Last June, this particular case design made a comeback in Mido's catalogue with the Multifort TV Big Date.

This new stainless steel model comes in three captivating dial color variations: blue, green, or gray (you can read our introductory article here). All three versions offer the option of a stainless steel bracelet, while the blue and gray renditions can also be paired with a blue or an orange rubber strap, respectively. 

Among the five available references, we had the privilege of testing and wearing two models: the blue dial with a metal bracelet and the gray dial with an orange rubber strap. Now, we are delighted to share our firsthand photos and impressions of these timepieces.

Recalling the design of the first television devices, the case measures 40 mm x 39.2 mm with a thickness of 11.5 mm and is strongly characterised by the flat, square satin-finished bezel. 

The size appears ideal for a sporty watch, and we appreciated how it sat on the wrist. Its dynamic lines curves are well highlighted by the alternation of satin-brushed and polished surfaces.   

Equipped with a guard-protected and screw-down crown, the watch is water-resistant up to a pressure of 10 bar (100 metres / 330 feet).

Once unscrewed, the crown has three positions: Position 1 for manual winding, Position 2 for date correction, and Position 3 for time-setting with stop seconds.

Both the metal bracelet and the strap feature convenient bars with a spur system, allowing for effortless and tool-free changes. The lug width is 22 mm.

The stainless steel bracelet is satin-brushed with polished centre links to add elegance to the ensemble an it is secured to the wrist by a double folding clasp with double safety push-buttons.

Very comfortable, the rubber strap features a stainless steel pin buckle and replicates the design of the central links that define the bracelet.

Protected by a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides, the dial features a pronounced horizontal brushed finish with the colour turning gradually to black at the edges. The interplay of light on the surface creates captivating visual effects, depending on the angle and intensity of illumination.

The Big Date has a prominent place at 12 o'clock. Above it, a dot on the bezel cleverly serves as a marker and recalls the round hour-markers, historically present in several Multifort models. 

At each quarter, trapezoidal hour-markers add another distinctive feature to the combination. The outer chapter ring facilitates the reading of the time indicating the minutes.

Legibility is excellent. The faceted hour/minute hands and the hour markers are treated with white Super-LumiNova that emits blue-green luminescence in the dark. The slim central seconds hand completes the indications. 

The self-winding Calibre 80 (ETA C07.651 base) is showcased through the transparent case back, revealing its inner workings. It is equipped with a Nivachron balance spring, renowned for its exceptional resilience against shocks and magnetic fields. The oscillating weight of the movement is adorned with Geneva stripes and the Mido logo.

Operating at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour, this movement boasts a remarkable power reserve of up to 80 hours.

Retailing at Euro 1,140 with steel bracelet or Euro 1,110 with rubber strap, the new Mido Multifort TV Big Date combines a captivating design, excellent construction and finish quality, and an attractively affordable price, making the watch a standout choice among accessible sport watches. midowatches.com