The art of architecture is built into the DNA of Mido timepieces. They look to monuments that stand the test of time, and adapt their indelible forms for the wrist. The circular geometry of the Colosseum. The graceful petals of the ArtScience Museum. The steel suspensions of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The lattermost, with its proud arch constructed of 40,000 tonnes of metal and six million rivets, captivated the world with its ambition and inspired the design of a contemporary from the 1930s, the Multifort wristwatch.

Characterised by vertical Geneva striping on the dial that brings to mind the sturdy suspension cables of “The Coathanger”, the Multifort was Mido’s first automatic, antimagnetic, shock-resistant and water-resistant timepiece. These fundamental attributes allowed the line to enjoy exceptional popularity and longevity for more than 85 years. Today, the Multifort Skeleton Vertigo elevates its style with an open construction on the front that exposes the high performance mechanism behind the timepiece.

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Skeletonisation turns the ordinary into extraordinary, while blending classical and contemporary aesthetics. On the Multifort Skeleton Vertigo, the central section of the signature Geneva stripes is stripped away to provide a dizzying view of gears, springs, bridge plates and other inner intricacies. Yet, the dial remains wholly legible, coated in an intense shade of anthracite and punctuated by large faceted indexes that slope towards a central minutes track in relief. The hour and minute hands are likewise faceted and float alongside a flat diamond-cut second hand.

Of course, a watch that dares to bare must have something worth seeing. The Multifort Skeleton Vertigo is powered by Mido’s flagship Calibre 80, which offers a generous power reserve of up to 80 hours and COSC chronometer certification. Additionally, it is equipped with a Nivachron balance spring, which reduces the effects of magnetic fields on timekeeping and provides excellent shock and wear resistance. The automatic movement is decorated with familiar Geneva striping on its skeletonised movement plate and oscillating weight. 

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The version featured here is the steel one with matching bracelet, but there are other variants, including one with rose-gold plated elements. There is also a version that is more emblematic of the brand’s daring, in black PVD with black fabric strap and Mido orange accents.

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