1940s Mido Multifort Extra Super-Automatic Bumper 29.5mm
Ref: 1796
Specification
Lugs : 16mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : None
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold as "Watch Only" and, therefore, comes with no original Mido box or paperwork. It is paired with a well-suited quick-release aftermarket 18mm leather strap and pin buckle. The watch is from Circa 1940s and is sold in worn vintage condition, but overall, it is in fantastic, original and unpolished condition for its age, as you can see. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.
For more photos see here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EWCxi1TDi6LOZz0xdNrdP0qTcAJV4Dkt?usp=drive_link
4K YouTube video, skip to 24:22 - https://youtu.be/7CqNkBAnkEg
The Watch
Here we have a very early 1940s Mido Multifort Extra Super-Automatic Bumper with a 29.5mm stainless steel round case made by Francois Borgel. Genevan François Borgel started the company in 1891. At this time, he patented a Swiss waterproof case that was used by IWC and Longines during World War 1. In 1924, they sold the company to the Taubert family, creating the Taubert & Fils (Taubert and Sons) company. It was through the use of the Borgel screw-in case that the Rolex Oyster case was inspired and developed in 1926. They would go on to produce cases for many brands such as Mido, Movado, and West End Watch Co. This case was designed by Taubert Frères SA; Mido was an early adopter of the Taubert Decagonal case; its name is due to the ten flats on the case-back. Others soon took supply of these cases, including West End, Vacheron Constantin, and Patek Philippe. Between the lugs, you can find the case number stamped. The case gently curves towards the tapered, straight-drilled lugs, and a lug-to-lug length of 36mm and a thickness of 11.5mm ensures a comfortable fit on your wrist. On the right side, a push/pull domed coin edge crown. A smooth bezel holds a domed crystal and sits above a cream sector dial. An outer minute rail track surrounds Arabic numeral indexes coated in Radium, marking the hours. Slender sword hands filled with Radium sit above a sub-second at 6 o’clock. Mido Multifort Extra at 12 o’clock and Super-Automatic curves around the sub-seconds. On the reverse, a screw-down case back with the details of the watch around its edge. Inside an early Bumper Automatic Mido MOD. 1941, 17 jewels movement. The watch comes paired with a well-suited quick-release aftermarket 18mm leather strap and pin buckle.
Personal Note
This 1940s Mido Multifort Extra is from the personal collection and I will without a doubt regret selling this, but I can't keep them all for myself... This "Super-Automatic" features a early Mido Bumper Automatic movement and the watch is completely untouched, down to the original crystal which has an incredible profile and aged to a subtle yellow tint. I would not hesitate on this one, whilst only 29.5mm, it packs a punch on the wrist!
The Brand
Mido was founded by Mr Georges Schaeren in Switzerland in 1918. His first watches represented car radiators in shape and were advertised as motorist's watches. One made in Platinum was given to the King of Spain in 1927. In 1934, we saw the launch of the MULTIFORT line, which marked a milestone in the history of MIDO watches. It was one of the first antimagnetic watches with a self-winding movement and built-in water- and shock-resistance. The Multifort was the best-selling MIDO watch from the 1930s to the 1950s. In 1954, Mido introduced the Powerwind Automatic, which reduced the winding components from 17 to 7, a true feat of engineering.