Mido Multifort Automatic Gold-Plated Vintage Watch
Dress Watch / Vintage Automatic · Mido, part of the Swatch Group (historically independent), positioned as a solid mid-range Swiss manufacturer known for robust and water-resistant innovations.
Period: Vintage (1950s-1960s) Mid-Century design language, characterized by the classic round gold-plated case and vintage expansion bracelet.
Type
Dress Watch / Vintage Automatic
Brand
Mido, part of the Swatch Group (historically independent), positioned as a solid mid-range Swiss manufacturer known for robust and water-resistant innovations.
Movement
Automatic self-winding Mido signed bumper or rotor movement, Caliber 917 PC, featuring mechanical automatic winding, operating at standard vintage frequency with approximately 36 to 40 hours of power reserve.
Dimensions
Case diameter approximately 34-35 mm, thickness around 10-11 mm, lug-to-lug distance around 41-42 mm, lug width 18 mm. Wears true to vintage dress watch standards, slightly smaller by modern proportions.
Description
A charming and classic vintage Mido Multifort automatic wristwatch featuring a warm gold-plated case and an open-view exposing its vintage mechanical heart. The Mido Multifort line is historically significant for introducing water-resistant, antimagnetic, and self-winding properties to the broader market during the mid-20th century.
Key Features
Signature Mido signed automatic movement with Caliber 917 PC, classic mid-century round gold-plated case proportions, and historical Multifort branding.
Dial Description
Not fully visible from the caseback view, but typical for this era of Mido Multifort features a clean dial design, likely silvered or champagne tone, with applied hour markers and classic dauphine or baton hands.
Case Material
Gold-plated stainless steel with polished finish on the bezel and case sides.
Crystal Type
Acrylic/Hesalite domed crystal typical of mid-century Swiss watches.
Bezel Details
Fixed smooth gold-plated polished bezel integrated into the round case design.
Crown & Pushers
Standard pull-out crown located at the 3 o'clock position, unsigned or subtly signed with the Mido logo, appropriately sized for a vintage dress watch.
Bracelet or Strap
Gold-tone vintage expansion bracelet (such as a Forstner or Speidel style), typical of mid-20th-century aftermarket or factory accessories, showing mechanical link construction.
Caseback Details
Screw-down case back with a center opening or inner dust cover removed, revealing the signed Mido Limited automatic movement and oscillating weight, engraved with 'Swiss Mido Limited' and caliber text '917 PC'.
Movement Type
Automatic self-winding Mido signed bumper or rotor movement, Caliber 917 PC, featuring mechanical automatic winding, operating at standard vintage frequency with approximately 36 to 40 hours of power reserve.
Water Resistance
Originally splash-proof or rated to minimal depth, but due to age, vintage watches should not be exposed to water without fresh seals and pressure testing.
Origin & Provenance
Swiss Made, manufactured in Switzerland utilizing Mido's in-house or heavily modified ébauche movements.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950s to 1960s based on the caliber 917 PC and vintage font styling on the rotor.
Cultural Significance
Representing the golden era of Swiss watchmaking accessibility, Mido offered robust, reliable automatic timepieces that rivaled higher-end brands in durability.
Condition Notes
Good vintage condition. The case shows minor signs of wear and slight plating loss consistent with age. The movement appears clean with intact finishing and components, though a professional service is recommended for daily wear.
Value Estimate
Estimated secondary market value ranges between $250 to $600 USD depending heavily on the condition of the dial, case plating integrity, and overall mechanical service history.
Care & Maintenance
Avoid exposure to moisture due to age-degraded gaskets. Manual winding should be done gently. Professional mechanical service recommended every 5 years.
Similar Watches
Omega Seamaster Vintage, Tissot Star Date, Longines Conquest vintage models.
Interesting Facts
Mido was a pioneer in cork-crown sealing systems (Aquadura) to ensure water resistance without screw-down crowns, making their Multifort line exceptionally durable for everyday wear in the mid-century.