MIDO Multifort in gray: a modern vintage pilot with class

I’ve been behind the grind trying to get on the horn to you about this time-ticker on my arm. It’s been a whirlwind making tracks herky-jerky around the globe to gets snaps of it, and now I’m keen to share. Here’s the low-down: The MIDO Multifort collection began in 1934, which is why these sentences are full of antiquated slang. It’s whacky, I tell ya. This here’s a modern sized 44mm diameter, in a pvd gray case that reminds me of some oil-stained metal, worn from working with engines. The dial is the real queenie here. It’s smooth, with subtle stripes that show up in the light. This is ring-a-ding-ding watch!

Dat dial, doe. The dial is a very clear, legible 12 hour dial. It is rendered in black with subtle stripes and lumed numerals in a font not that different than you would have found in 1934. The minute track is a brushed silver track with the minute numerals in 5 minute increments, marked in red. The date window is at six, and has a modern black date wheel that matches the dial color. The hands are brightly lumed, and the second hand has a triangle as its indicator rather than a ball.

The strap is a soft suede leather. It’s thick, but it wasn’t hard to wear at all. It comes in the unusual size of 23mm, to match the 44mm case, and even so, is absolutely comfortable, conforming to the wrist. Wherever I went, people commented on the watch, telling me how nice it was. Those people were not wrong.

The back of the watch is on display, showing the Caliber 80 movement, which I found to really last that long in practice. It was a difficult test, because in order to see the watch show off its power reserve, that meant not wearing it. I really enjoyed wearing this watch, and it was difficult to not reach for it first.

The case color is a PVD gray with the edges of the case rubbed silver. This gives it a rough, rugged look, like it was worn by a pilot or pilot’s mechanic (in the old days, these weren’t necessarily different things). When I wear it, it feels like it would be appropriate in a dogfight. The crown is a diamond shaped type with good, grippy knurling. It’s signed MIDO, and looks lovely. It’s so easy to set and wind.

The movement is the ETA Caliber 80, which really is a great Swiss workhorse movement. It’s based on the classic 2824/2836 style movement design, but increases the power reserve to 80 hours while slightly lowering the beat rate. The result is a long-lasting movement with a slightly jerkier second hand that isn’t out of place in this vintage-styled beauty. The rotor is striped similarly to the dial.

Watch Overview

Brand & Model: MIDO Multifort ESCAPE M032.607.36.050.00
Price: $890
Who we think it might be for: A classy vintage Pilot style that looks as broken in as comfortable demin.

Would I buy one for myself based on what I’ve seen?: Hell yes.
If I could make one design suggestion, it would be: Can we get the movement with the silicon hairspring?
What spoke to me the most about this watch: The tastefulness of the dial stripes with the rugged PVD and strap.