Mido Multifort TV: A Watch That Preceded the Nautilus?

There are watches that catch your eye because of their complications, materials, or even the brand. And then there are watches that captivate you mainly because of their shape. The Mido Multifort TV is exactly that kind of watch.

The TV case that’s back in style

The name alone makes it clear where the inspiration comes from. The case is reminiscent of television screens from a time when watches weren’t afraid to be bold and when designers weren’t afraid to step outside the classic round design. When looking at the Multifort TV Big Date, some might notice a resemblance to the Patek Philippe Nautilus. In reality, however, the history is a bit more complicated.

Mido introduced its first watch with the distinctive TV case as early as 1973, three years before the Nautilus made its debut. That doesn’t mean, however, that the Nautilus was inspired by Mido—both models drew on different design inspirations. Mido drew inspiration from the then-popular trend of television screens with rounded corners, while Gerald Genta designed the Nautilus based on a ship’s porthole. The similarity between today’s models is thus more a result of the evolution of sporty-elegant watches than of direct inspiration or an original-copy relationship.

One design concept that has been interpreted in two different ways. One emphasizes technology and a bolder character, while the other focuses on elegance and the interplay of light. And yet, it’s clear at first glance that they belong together.

Video Review of the Mido Multifort TV

Mido Multifort TV Big Date. A watch that, at first glance, exudes confidence, technical sophistication, and a touch of sportiness. The moment you put it on, you can tell right away that this isn’t a watch meant to blend in with the crowd. The 40 × 39 mm stainless steel case has a striking presence, but thanks to its rounded edges, it doesn’t look like a boxy brick. The 11.5 mm thickness is also very comfortable.

It’s the kind of watch you put on in the morning with a T-shirt or shirt, and by evening you realize it also goes well with formal attire. A minimalist design—just machined steel and a black dial. Interestingly, the horizontal structure of the dial beautifully complements the concept itself. The entire design has a very geometric feel—from the shape of the case to the large date window to the horizontal lines on the dial. Nothing here seems random.

The Mido Multifort TV 28 Quartz watches share the same base design but feel different on the wrist. Suddenly, the angular shape doesn’t seem rugged, but rather like an elegant piece of jewelry. The smaller case, measuring approximately 28 × 28 mm and 6.3 mm thick, sits naturally on a woman’s wrist, and the pearlescent dial gives it a much more delicate character. These aren’t watches that scream, “Look at me.” Rather, it’s the kind of watch that someone only notices when they get closer.

Big Date: When the Date Is Part of the Design

What I enjoy most about the Big Date is precisely the combination of its retro look and modern technology. At the 12 o’clock position, there’s a large date display that’s not only a practical feature but also serves as a key design element. The large date at the 12 o’clock position gives the watch a more distinctive character and fits beautifully into the geometry of the entire dial. Inside, it’s powered by the Caliber 80 Big Date automatic movement with a power reserve of up to 80 hours. And that’s very addictive if you switch between multiple watches.

And one more little detail about the name “Big Date.” It’s not just about larger numerals. This complication uses two separate date wheels that must be perfectly synchronized when the date changes. It’s a more technically demanding solution than a standard date display, which is precisely why it’s considered one of the more elegant watchmaking complications.

The women’s version isn’t just a smaller version

The smaller version takes a completely different approach. Here, the focus isn’t on technical complexity, but on lightness and elegance. The mother-of-pearl dial changes depending on the light, so the watch never looks exactly the same. Plus, it’s adorned with diamond hour markers, making it more of a fashion accessory than a classic sports watch.

And that’s exactly what I like about them—they aren’t just a scaled-down version of a men’s watch. They have their own personality. And to make the contrast perfect, the date window is located at the 6 o’clock position. Thanks to the quartz movement, you can take the watch off without any restrictions and without having to wind it again. This model looks especially great on women.

Two watches, one signature design

Both versions, of course, feature a sapphire crystal. The Big Date weighs in at 155 grams, while the 28-series model weighs a negligible 72 grams. Yes, the absence of a crown guard contributes slightly to this. Water resistance also differs. The women’s version is designed to serve as an accessory and piece of jewelry, so 50 meters of water resistance is sufficient. The men’s version, on the other hand, can handle some water activities, for which the rated 100 meters is more than adequate.

When you place the watches side by side, you’ll immediately see that they belong to the same family. Both feature that iconic TV-inspired shape. Both have a bracelet that flows seamlessly into the case, creating a unified look. All of this proves that a watch doesn’t have to be round to be versatile.

Maybe that’s exactly why these Mida models work so well as a pair. Not as exact copies for him and her, but as two different moods. One is like an evening gown—striking, charismatic, and a little mysterious. The other is like morning light—elegant, delicate, and natural.

That’s what’s most interesting about this pair. One design concept that has been interpreted in two different ways. One emphasizes technology and a bolder character, while the other focuses on elegance and the interplay of light. And yet, it’s clear at first glance that they belong together. The Mido Multifort TV shows that a single design can tell two completely different stories.

The TV shape still works even after fifty years

There’s one more thing I like about the TV case. It’s neither round nor strictly square. Thanks to its rounded corners, it looks more refined than a classic square, but at the same time offers a larger dial area than a round watch of comparable size. That’s exactly why this shape is still surprisingly modern, even after more than fifty years.

Incidentally, this was a genuine design trend in the 1970s, and a number of manufacturers offered similar shapes. Mido, however, was among the brands that returned to this style years later out of respect for its own history—not merely as a fashion inspiration. I appreciate that they’ve kept the brushed bezel top, even on the smaller version. The part that takes the most wear and tear won’t lose any of its beauty, even with daily use.

Specifications

• Reference: M049.526.11.081.00 / M049.110.11.116.00
• dimensions: 40 x 11.5 x 38.2 mm / 27.6 x 6.3 x 28 mm
• Movement: Mido Caliber 80 Big Date automatic / ETA F04.115 battery-powered quartz
• glass: sapphire with anti-reflective coating
• Water resistance: 100 m / 50 m