Bringing the 70s Back

In the world of watches, shapes go in and out of fashion. One that keeps coming back is the TV case—named for its resemblance to vintage television sets. It’s not a common silhouette, which is exactly what makes it interesting. Mido tapped into this design in the 1970s, and now they’ve brought it back with the Multifort TV Big Date, first released in 2023. This watch isn’t just a throwback. It’s a modern piece that still nods to the past. In a sea of round sports watches, the square case gives it personality.

A Design With History and Purpose

Mido first introduced the TV case in 1973. It had a square bezel, gradient dial, and sculpted markers. They revisited the shape in the 1980s and again in 2000, each time with a more modern twist. The current Multifort TV Big Date marks the 50th anniversary of the original. This time, the look feels clean and confident rather than retro.

The case measures 40mm across. Since it’s square, it wears larger than the numbers suggest. At 11.5mm thick, it’s right in the middle—not too slim or chunky. The brushed bezel, polished sides, and defined case lines give the watch good wrist presence. The 22mm lug width also helps it sit firmly in place. Mido even offers a smaller size for slimmer wrists.

The watch has a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides. It also has a screw-down crown and 100 meters of water resistance. One detail to note: while the dial crystal is sapphire, there’s some inconsistency in reporting on the caseback. Some say it’s sapphire, others say it’s mineral. Either way, it gives a clear view of the movement inside.

Some people compare this watch to the Patek Philippe Aquanaut. It has a similar vibe, but Mido’s version keeps a distinct identity. It uses regular lugs, which means you can change the strap with any 22mm option. That adds flexibility.

The Dial: Details That Catch the Light

The dial is where this watch starts to feel special. It has a horizontal texture with a fume gradient that gets darker toward the edge. Mido offers several colors, including blue, gray, green, and now gold. The texture has some depth and catches the light nicely as you move your wrist.

Hour markers are a mix of dots and trapezoids, all filled with Super-LumiNova. They glow blue-green in the dark. The hour and minute hands are faceted, nickel-plated, and also lumed. Some reviewers feel the markers are a bit small, but that choice gives more attention to the texture and the big date at the top.

Minute markings sit on a flange that wraps around the dial. They’re simple white hash marks and numerals.

The big date window at 12 o’clock is the star of the show. It uses two separate discs—one for tens and one for single digits—which makes it easy to read. This feature is usually reserved for pricier watches, so it’s a welcome surprise at this level. One quirk: the tall, narrow font used for the date doesn’t quite match the blocky style of the rest of the dial. It stands out—not necessarily in a bad way—but a more cohesive design might have been cleaner.

What’s Inside: The Caliber 80

The watch runs on Mido’s Caliber 80. This automatic movement is based on the ETA C07 and offers 80 hours of power reserve. That’s more than enough to take off the watch for a few days without needing to reset it.

It also features a Nivachron balance spring, which resists magnetic fields and helps the watch keep accurate time. It’s durable, reliable, and uses familiar architecture. That means most watchmakers can service it in the future. Through the caseback, you can see the rotor with Geneva stripes and engraved details. It’s not fancy, but it’s clean and well-finished for the price.

Straps, Wearability, and Value

Mido offers the Multifort TV Big Date on a stainless steel bracelet or a rubber strap. The bracelet has brushed outer links with polished centers and a folding clasp. Some people prefer the rubber strap, which also comes in colors like orange and blue. Both options have quick-release pins, so switching them out is easy.

The watch sells for around $1,200 on a rubber strap and $1,270 on a bracelet. That puts it above entry-level models like the Tissot PRX, but below higher-priced integrated sports watches. For the design, movement, and features, the value feels fair.

Final Thoughts

The Mido Multifort TV Big Date takes a bold design and updates it for today. It’s not just about looking different. It’s about feeling distinct. The square case, textured dial, and big date display work together to give this watch a clear point of view.

It’s a good option for someone who wants something different from the usual round sports watch. The Caliber 80 is reliable, the finish is solid, and the watch offers real daily wear appeal. Mido didn’t just bring back a shape from the past—they gave it a proper second life.