One test, one watch: the Mido Multifort Patrimony

First of all, I would like to thank BonneGueule readers from the bottom of my heart for their interest in watchmaking topics. I have always been convinced that a bridge would gradually be created between the world of style, clothing and that of watches.

These worlds rubbed shoulders but without ever really mixing with the exception of advertisements (too much) present in traditional media. This may seem surprising, especially since certain luxury groups own clothing brands and watch brands and some of these brands offer both products in their stores. .

The worlds of textiles and watchmaking are both sectors which require skills which may seem specific but which have two common traits: an industrial logic and a demand which changes structurally due to the curiosity of an ever better clientele. informed which is no longer satisfied with a few details repeated in the form of advertising leitmotifs but in truth often empty of content.

The need to know the details of a product has only grown , whether it is in the details of a particular fabric or a confection or whether it is in the details of the workings of a watch and its covering and its finishes... the logic is the same: you are curious and you ask for content that allows you to discover more about these products and the worlds from which they come. Also, new formats will appear in order to continue our momentum, always with the aim of further opening up perspectives for the readership.

Also, this article is the first in a new series of tests. In line with the major selections made previously, we will remain on the format of a sincere test with trial over a period of minimum 10 days and realistic photos to wear .

The goal is not to surrealistically magnify a watch to make it an object embodying a kind of unrealistic perfection but to discover a watch for what it is: through its qualities and its faults, without ever resorting to photos press kits or official press releases. The large selections have helped lay the foundations in this area, it is time to offer more watch tests.

And one watch at a time.

For the first article of this type, we are going to look at a watch that is charming and offered at a very affordable price, less than 800 euros, by industry standards: the Mido Multifort Patrimony.

1. Dials that pack a punch!

Upon receipt of the models, the first impression is excellent and we already notice this sunray blue dial to the best effect.

In this price range, it is difficult to offer such a striking twist from the start and yet this model achieves it by focusing on several elements, notably the dials.

Here worn with a stunning blue sweater, I'm just taking care to avoid excess tone on tone, which would be a shame and obviously a little too lazy.

The two models chosen have interesting and different dials: one is a sunburst blue, the other a smoky gray.

The blue dial stands out for the depth of the blue used, and I for my part notice with a magnifying glass the work done by Mido in this area. There is a small discreet effect: the blue of the dial is in fact darker at the edges and very slightly lighter in the center, which gives it this impression of depth: an excellent choice because in the absence of daylight, the dial appears much darker whereas in the light, it reveals its nuances. The end result is the best effect with the added bonus of a tone-on-tone date window.

The smoky gray dial offers another twist; the use of gray is intelligent because, as BonneGueule articles often point out, it is a very easy shade to pair with a large number of clothing items.

Unlike the blue version, Mido has chosen to adopt a white window for the date for the gray dial, placed above 6 o'clock. , the white aperture is however in line with the white of the numerals and indexes.

The needles are syringe type and they combine finesse and visibility due to the presence of superluminova. Finally, on the dial, we note the presence of the pulsometric scale which is a particularity that we have not yet covered in previous articles.

2. A worked case

Despite the presence of a curved sapphire crystal, the watch remains fine in itself with a good choice in terms of brushing polish: polished steel particularly on the bezel and brushed steel for the middle

The work done on the case itself is interesting in this price segment and even more so the horns which are surprisingly very well finished compared to what the competition offers in this range. The horns take on a shape resembling the horns of an ox. , and what's more they are elegantly faceted: it must be agreed that the work is remarkable compared to the listed price of the watch.

The work on the horns is worth noting, fine, rather relatively short and above all very well worked

3. The 80 hour movement

The great opportunity for Swatch Group brands like Mido is to be able to benefit from the industrial model with ETA which supplies movements to other brands and thus makes it possible to offer attractive prices due to the importance of the volumes produced. Thus, while the price of the watch remains very contained, the Mido Multifort Patrimony is equipped with a caliber which is in fact the ETA C07.621, the updated version of the 2824 with this time 80 hours of power reserve .

Choice of an exposed background giving a view of the Powermatic 80 which is in fact an evolution of ETA's 2824

4. Suede leather bracelets

As for bracelets, I find them rather honorable, the leather is supple and soft to wear. I would nevertheless have two slight caveats at this level: there is a trend with bracelets with very marked stopping points. This gives an appearance that appears vintage in the media but you should know that the vintage bracelets were in no way of this type .

It is a style which is not unpleasant but which can limit the possibilities for combining the watch with formal looks: at this point I would advise you to change the bracelet for a more classic one adapted to wearing a suit for example .

Another downside: the lug width of the Mido Multifort Patrimony is 19mm. If the 19mm is certainly a good compromise and seems suitable compared to the 40mm diameter of the watch, 19mm bracelets are also much less common in physical or online stores. Also, choosing a custom-made bracelet will probably be the best choice to make to vary the looks of the watch.

Change of look, here worn over a gray shirt from Officine Générale , we can clearly see the ease with which we can play with the different shades at our disposal

And besides, in terms of looks, many possibilities are offered: I very clearly see these two watches in a formal universe by changing the straps for leather models without overly visible or contrasting stitching or stopping points.

For my part, whether with a fine merino turtleneck or a more gray workwear-looking shirt, the watch seems to go easily with most looks.

Only the limited water resistance of the watch to 50 meters seems to me to be an obstacle to making it a summer watch for example: a water resistance displayed at 50 meters does not allow diving with this type of watch .

WE love

• An excellent design for a watch that is neither a reissue nor a reinterpretation of a vintage model.
• A fine, crafted case in polished-brushed steel, elegant lugs.
• The very successful dials which tend either towards a deep blue or towards a tasteful smoky gray.
• Honestly one of the best value for money style in the sector in this range, considering the finishes, the price is – once again not customary in the sector – very well studied.

We like less

• Water resistance of only 50 meters, which is the case for almost all dress watches, that said by the way.