The Slimmer, More Compact Mido Multifort TV 35mm

It’s evident that Mido has its ear to the ground and is receptive to feedback from its customers. The Mido Multifort TV Big Date has been a resounding success that appeals to fans of retro-style watches with its large 1970s TV-shaped case and big date feature at noon. Recently, Mido introduced a smaller 35mm version of the Multifort with the same 1970s-inspired case but with dimensions that are more in tune with the original. Issued in five flavours, we’ve selected two references of the Multifort TV 35 that are ideal for smaller wrist sizes.

TV-shaped watches had their heyday in the 1970s. Mido’s first TV-shaped watch appeared in 1973, and in 2023, coinciding with its 50^th anniversary, it released the Multifort TV Big Date. Measuring 40mm in width and 11.5mm in thickness, the resilient 100m water-resistant Multifort case ticked all the luxury sports watch boxes while commanding a competitive price. Although many fans enjoy the large dimensions of the watch, it did alienate those with smaller wrists.

Mido has been listening and, in October, released a new sub-collection known as the Multifort TV 35mm, mostly advertised as a feminine option with rose gold PDV case and diamonds on the dial… But there’s more than just this version. Not only have the proportions been reduced (35mm across and 41.88mm lug-to-lug), but the case thickness has been decreased to 9.3mm, not bad for a well-finished, charismatic and accessibly priced sports watch. Still flaunting the insignia features of its big brother, the Multifort TV 35 has a rounded retro TV-shaped case with a wide vertical brushed bezel, a recessed pip in the bezel at noon, slightly protruding lips at either end of the case, and a screw-down crown with guards to ensure the 100m depth rating.

The models we’ve selected are the two stainless steel references with gradient grey or blue dials. Like their bigger brother, these references feature the signature horizontally brushed grooves on the dial that add texture to the scenery. The round recessed indices combined with trapezoid markers at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock are filled with Super-LumiNova, matching that applied to the baton hour and minute hands.

However, the first thing you’ll notice is the exclusion of the Big Date in the name of the watch. Given the new dimensions, the big date function has been replaced by a standard date widow with a single disc. Blending into the dial scenery, the background of the window matches the dial, and the generous-sized numerals are white.

The Multifort TV 35 is powered by calibre 72, based on the ETA A31.L11 (an evolution of the ETA calibre 2892) that was used inside the Mido Ocean Star. Renowned for its slim 3.85mm height, this automatic beats at 25,200vph, delivers a 72h power reserve and has an anti-magnetic Nivachron balance spring.

The three other references are more feminine and have eight diamond hour markers; the two steel models have pastel mother-of-pearl dials, and a third, rather attractive candidate, with a gold PVD case and a chocolate brown dial, looks like the smaller sibling of this watch. All five models come on stainless steel bracelets with folding clasps. The blue and grey dial versions retail for CHF 1,100 (the steel with mop dial for CHF 1,100 and the rose gold PVD model for CHF 1,300).

More information at midowatches.com.