Every few decades, a shape comes back around. The Mido Multifort TV Big Date M049.526.36.081.00 is proof: a rounded-corner rectangular case straight out of a 1970s television set, reintroduced exactly fifty years after Mido first used it — now wrapped around a genuinely modern Swiss automatic movement.

At Lexor Miami, an authorized Mido dealer, the Multifort TV Big Date is one of the most distinctive watches in the collection, and current stock is limited. This review covers where the TV-shaped case actually comes from, what's inside the movement, the full spec sheet, and whether it's worth buying.

Why Did Mido Bring Back the TV-Shaped Case?

The story behind this watch is almost as good as the watch itself. Founded in 1918 and known for its "Inspired by Architecture" design philosophy, Mido has spent decades mining its own archives for shapes worth reviving — and few are more recognizable than the "TV case": a rounded-corner rectangle modeled on the boxy television screens of the mid-20th century.

The Multifort collection itself dates back even further — to 1934, making it one of Mido's longest-running lines. That's a genuinely rare thing in watchmaking: a case shape with real archival provenance, not a design dreamed up to chase a trend.

What Makes the Multifort TV Big Date So Distinctive?

In a market full of round sports watches, the Multifort TV Big Date stands out simply by refusing to be round. Three details define the piece:

• A rectangular, rounded-corner TV-shaped case with a flat, satin-brushed bezel
• A gradient grey dial with horizontal brushing that catches the light differently at every angle
• A Big Date window at 12 o'clock, sized and placed to double as a design feature, not just a function

A Case Shape With Real Archival Roots

Unlike a lot of "vintage-inspired" watches that borrow a general mood, the TV case is a literal reissue of a documented Mido silhouette — used in 1973, 1980, and 2000 before this 2023 revival.

The Gradient Dial Effect

The two-level gradient dial shifts in tone as light moves across it, adding visual depth that a flat-printed dial can't replicate — a detail that photographs differently in every setting.

How Does the Big Date Display Work?

Rather than a single small date window off to the side, the Multifort TV Big Date uses two adjacent windows at 12 o'clock to display a larger, easier-to-read date — a "Big Date" complication that also fills the space where a conventional 12 o'clock marker would normally sit, turning a functional detail into part of the dial's symmetry.

What Movement Powers It? (Caliber 80 Explained)

Inside the case is the Caliber 80, Mido's workhorse automatic movement and part of the wider Swatch Group Powermatic 80 family.

• Automatic (self-winding) Swiss mechanical movement
• Up to 80 hours of power reserve — enough to sit unworn through a long weekend and still be accurate on Monday
• Nivachron™ balance spring, offering improved resistance to magnetic fields and everyday shocks
• Decorated with Côtes de Genève finishing on the oscillating weight, engraved with the Mido logo
• Visible through a transparent caseback

Design & Build Quality

Key design highlights include:

• 39.2 x 40mm stainless steel case with a black PVD finish
• 11.5mm case thickness — slim enough to sit comfortably under a cuff
• Sapphire crystal with double-sided anti-reflective coating
• Screw-down crown contributing to 100m (10 bar) water resistance
• Brown embossed calfskin leather strap with a standard buckle, 22mm lug width
• 88g total weight

The black PVD case and brown leather strap give the Multifort TV Big Date a warmer, more versatile finish than an all-steel sports watch — equally suited to a blazer as to a weekend outfit.

Who Should Buy the Mido Multifort TV Big Date?

This watch is a strong fit for:

• Anyone bored of round watches who wants a genuinely different silhouette on the wrist
• Collectors who value real archival design provenance over a manufactured "vintage vibe"
• Buyers who want a Big Date function that's actually easy to read at a glance
• Those looking for an 80-hour power reserve so the watch doesn't need resetting after a weekend off the wrist

How Does It Compare to Other TV-Shaped Watches?

TV-shaped and cushion cases have become one of the more talked-about silhouettes in recent watchmaking, appearing across several Swiss and independent brands at a range of price points. What sets the Multifort TV Big Date apart is that Mido isn't borrowing the shape — it's revisiting its own design history, with the same case language it used in 1973, 1980, and 2000. Combined with a Swiss Caliber 80 movement, an 80-hour power reserve, and sapphire crystal, it's a well-specified entry into the category without a boutique-brand price tag.

Why Buy the Multifort TV Big Date from Lexor Miami?

At Lexor Miami, buying a Mido like this is about more than the transaction.

In-Store Experience

• Try the TV-shaped case on before you decide — photos don't fully capture the fit
• Guidance from a team with 20+ years as an authorized watch dealer
• A relaxed, pressure-free environment to compare pieces
• 100% authentic, brand-new stock as an official Mido authorized dealer

Online Shopping Experience

• 2-year Mido international warranty included
• Free shipping and free returns on U.S. orders
• A team reachable by phone, WhatsApp, or email before you buy
• Over 3,100 five-star Google reviews and 20+ years in business

Caring for Your Multifort TV Big Date

• Keep the leather strap away from prolonged water exposure and harsh chemicals
• Have the screw-down crown checked periodically to maintain water resistance
• Store the watch away from strong magnets, despite the Nivachron balance spring's added resistance
• Service the automatic movement on a regular interval to preserve accuracy

Final Verdict: Is the Mido Multifort TV Big Date Worth Buying?

The Mido Multifort TV Big Date earns its place with a case shape that has fifty years of real design history behind it, a legitimately useful Big Date complication, and an 80-hour Caliber 80 movement that holds its own against watches well above this price point. For anyone who wants a genuinely different silhouette without stepping outside Swiss manufacture quality, it's one of the more interesting watches in its category — and at Lexor Miami, it's backed by full authorized-dealer authenticity while stock lasts.

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