By Osheen Arakelian
The Mido Multifort has a special place in my heart. Why you might ask. Well it has a close connection to one of the biggest landmarks in the world, the stunning Sydney Harbour Bridge, which for many Sydney Siders is the most iconic structure after the Sydney Harbour Bridge. But how does the Mido Multifort associate with the Sydney Harbour Bridge? Well my friends the story starts in 1934, just 2 years after the completion of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Mido Multifort was launched during this time and shares many characteristics with the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge including the beautiful suspender cables of the bridge, which were a symbol of architectural modernity for the 1930’s. This can be seen on the dial with the use of vertical Geneva stripes that give the same aesthetic feel as the suspension cabling of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
However, it’s not all about the aesthetics that make this particular piece special. The Mido Multifort 80th Anniversary GMT Edition is to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Multifort line of timepieces being in production. It has enjoyed its status as being one of the longest production timepieces in the history of Swiss watchmaking, which is by no means a small feat.
The new Multifort also features a second time zone in its latest iteration that will appeal to those who are frequent travellers and enjoy a second time zone indicator. The Multifort also displays the names of the world’s 24 time zones with corresponding cities around the edge of the dial and is finished in a beautiful silver dial to ensure great legibility and gives the timepiece a classic elegance. The second time zone is set through the use of a crown at 2 o’clock and has a small arrow-shaped head that is activated with another crown at 4 o’clock, showing the time in the second time zone with a 24-hour graduated scale. Lastly, a date window is located at 3 o’clock to keep accurate track of the date when travelling.
What is really nice about this timepiece however is the 42mm rose gold PVD-treated case that works very effectively with the silver dial and blue GMT icons to add another layer of depth and beauty. As expected protecting the dial and movement are anti-reflective sapphire crystals, treated on both sides. Tucked within is the Mido Automatic ETA 2893-2 movement all beautifully decorated with decorated oscillating weight with Geneva stripes and engraved Mido logo.
Also available in stainless steel, the Mido Multifort 80th Anniversary GMT Edition is a wonderful way to celebrate such a historic line of timepieces. For more info, please visit mido.ch
Movement
Automatic Mido 1193 (ETA 2893-2 base), 11½’’’, Ø25.60 mm, height 4.10 mm, 21 jewels, 28,800 A/H, NIVACHOC and NIVACOURBE shock-absorbers, NIVAFLEX NM mainspring. Finely decorated elaborate movement, decorated oscillating weight with Geneva stripes and engraved Mido logo. Functions HMSD + GMT. Adjusted on 4 different positions for a high accuracy. Min. 42 hours of power reserve.
Case
Stainless steel 316L with rose PVD treatment, Ø42 mm, 2 pieces, sapphire crystal with an anti-reflecting treatment on both sides, transparent case back to see the finely decorated and elaborate movement, engraved serial number, screwed crowns and case back, water-resistant up to a pressure of 10 bar (100 m / 330 ft).
Strap
Brown genuine calf leather strap with crocodile look and stainless steel folding clasp with rose PVD treatment.
Dial
Silver, vertical Geneva stripes, faceted indexes and numerals individually applied, second time-zone indicator (T2), date at 3 o’clock.
Hands
Diamond polished, seconds hand and 2nd time-zone hand in blued steel.
Ref. M005.929.36.031.00
Osheen Arakelian – Contributing Editor
Drawing on a lifelong love of horology and a more recent introduction to appreciation of fine whisky, Osheen brought the two together with watch & whisky. He is proprietor of the site, which covers everything related to watches and whisky. In between completing a degree in commercial law and supporting a rich social life, he is out and about attending all the latest watch and whisky events Sydney has to offer. His passion has also taken him around Australia attending a number of events and he hopes to continue his career in the watch industry on a more serious level after he graduates. Read his articles here.
