When I wrote the first draft of this brief review, I started with a claim that this (then) “new Mido Multifort PVD Special Edition Chronograph (ref. M005.614.37.051.01) was one of the most bizarre “ordinary” timepieces I have seen this year.”
Now, upon taking some time (more than eight years, actually) to reconsider my opinion, I decided to partially re-write this article as this relatively affordable gadget grew on me (if that’s possible to say since I was too slow to grab one of these beasts myself and now if you don’t mind the expression, have to enjoy it from a distance) and I now think that this thing is interesting in its ability to mix things that many watchmaking specialists deem, um, unmixable. I would also like to note that, as guys in crime movies often say, I am not making this statement under any duress: I simply changed my opinion after so many years.
The Multifort PVD features a rather standard data display layout that comes together with just about any timekeeper that is powered by an ETA Valjoux 7750-based mechanism: a tri-compax chronograph with a 30-minute totalizer at 12 o’clock, 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock and a small second display at 9 o’clock.
As usual, the central chronograph second hand may be also used to calculate a vehicle’s speed with the tachymeter scale on the inner part of the bezel. At 3 o’clock there are also “day of week” / “date of month” windows that are also standard.
Some watchmakers go into great length trying to somehow sweeten the rather stale pill by offering unusual complications or, sometimes, skeletonizing the dial, but Mido’s designers decided to make the dial more vivid with a Panerai-style double-layered dial.
Judging by the pics, they took a standard dial plate, treated it with the same black PVD coating as the rest of the gadget, strategically applied patches of bright orange Superluminova and put a secondary plate atop of it with all the necessary openings to make the dial more three-dimensional.
The secondary plate is further decorated with Geneva stripes: a very unusual decor when it comes to “tactical” pieces, even to those of a dressier kind.
Although in the original form of the article I said that “as a result, we see a stylistic mash-up that makes the Mido Multifort PVD Special Edition Chronograph the most strange “plain” watch that looks like a timepiece for a Batman of Asian origin (sorry, guys,)” I, again, withdraw this statement with all the necessary apologies that are in order.
Although guys at Professional Watches tell us that its ETA Valjoux 7750 automatic chronograph movement was “slightly modified,” it is not exactly so. The Incabloc shock-absorber system is used in all Chronometre-grade 7750 movements, as does the gilt Glucydur balance, Anacron balance spring and Nivaflex NM barrel spring. All these devices are listed in the Manufacturing Information leaflet that you can find on the Internet.
The caliber with its blued screws, circular granting, and an oscillating weight with Geneva stripes and engraved Mido logo is perfectly seen via the gadget’s transparent case back. Perhaps, that’s the only “modification” that the mechanism was subjected to.
So, while the Multifort PVD indeed sports a high-grade movement adjusted in five positions and is officially COSC-certified, it is steel a standard job. Bear this fact in mind if you plan to sell it in the future: there is nothing particularly “limited” or “special” about this movement.
The Mido Multifort PVD Special Edition Chronograph comes in a rather large 44 mm x 14.5 mm case crafted of PVD-coated 316L stainless steel and is equipped with a black rubber strap. Its chronograph push-pieces are of normal size and standard shape and perfectly match the mid-sized winding crown.
While the thickness of the body makes this ref. M005.614.37.051.01 not particularly comfortable (and also heavy on a wrist,) this is more or less in the same ballpark as other sporty chronographs that are animated by the same mechanism.
The price of $1830, too, makes it an interesting option for a person looking for a timepiece that is powered by an ETA 7750-based mechanism.
See also: Fortis B42 Black Mars 500 Limited Edition
Photos: Mido / UhrForum
Mido Multifort PVD Special Edition Chronograph (M005.614.37.051.01) specification
Price: $1830 (MSRP)
Movement: Caliber ETA Valjoux 7750, automatic, 30.4 mm in diameter (13,25 lignes), 7.9 mm in height, Swiss Made
Jewels: 25
Cadence of balance: 28,800 vph
Functions & Complications: Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph, date
Power reserve: 48 hours
Case: Black PVD-coated Stainless steel
Shape: Round
Size: 44.00 mm
Case height: 14.50 mm
Dial: Black PVD-coated stainless steel
Numerals: Arabic
Hands: Black PVD-coated steel
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Black rubber
Crystal: Sapphire, AR-treated on both sides
Back: Transparent