Mido’s Multifort line has been in production since 1934 and was the brand’s first model fitted with an automatic movement. Earning its ‘Multifort’ credentials, the watch was waterproof, automatic, anti-magnetic and shock-resistant, delivering a robust package at an aggressive price that made it a best seller from the 1930s to the 1950s. Skeletonised dials are a big thing at Mido, with models stripped down to reveal their mechanics borrowed from the Commander, the Baroncelli and the Multifort families. This blue Skeleton Vertigo is the latest Multifort to strip down and expose parts of the automatic calibre 80 on the dial.

The dial of the Skeleton Vertigo features a wide blue chapter ring on the periphery decorated with vertical Geneva stripes bearing the applied hour markers. According to the brand, these vertical stripes are designed to recall the suspension cables of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Applied and faceted, the prominent wedge-shaped indices are treated with luminescent material to assist legibility in poor light conditions.

Parts of the calibre 80 automatic movement are tantalisingly revealed on the skeletonised section in the centre of the dial. The skeletonised mainplate is also decorated with vertical Geneva stripes and is grey to match the colour and texture of the minutes track framing the movement. Somewhat surprising for a skeletonised model, though, is the fact that the central hour and minute hands are not openworked. They are, however, treated with luminescence, which is always an advantage on skeletonised watches.

The stainless steel case of the Multifort Skeleton Vertigo has a diameter of 42mm and a thickness of 10.6mm and comes with an attractive three-link steel bracelet. A relatively straightforward round 100m water-resistant case, the slim bezel and large screw-down crown are polished, while the case flanks are brushed.

The see-through caseback offers a second view of the Mido calibre 80 with a central rotor, also decorated with Geneva stripes. Calibre 80 is Swatch Group’s upgraded version of the tried-and-tested ETA 2824-2, also known as the Powermatic. One of the most notable improvements, achieved by reducing the frequency to 21,600vph / 3Hz and revising the kinetic chain, is the increased 80-hour power reserve. This robust power reserve offers a true competitive advantage at this price point, where most movements boast less than two days of power reserve. Another technical advantage is the incorporation of a titanium-based Nivachron balance spring, providing increased resistance to shocks and temperature variations and, more importantly, shielding the movement from the negative influence of magnetic fields.

The Mido Multifort Skeleton Vertigo joins the regular collection and retails for CHF 1,080 / EUR 1,200. For more details, please consult midowatches.com.