Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Mido Multi-Centerchrono Chronograph Watch 1940s
- Maker / attribution
- Mido (maker)
- Date
- 1940s
- Historical period
- Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)
- Country of origin
- Unrecorded in source
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 35 mm
- Stock no.
- W-1055
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-1055)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Mido Multi-Centerchrono Chronograph Watch 1940s (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-1055), this is a wristwatch by Mido, dated 1940s. The Atlas places it in the Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking period (1900 – 1945) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 35 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Bulang & Sons
The Mido ‘Tasti Tondi’ FB Case Chrono This is a very special chronograph that dates to the 1940s. This Mido Multi-Centerchrono features its original Two-tone dial with three scales and radium arabic numerals and radium-filled hands. What makes the watch extra special is the waterproof steel case by Francois Borgel. Chrono lovers will be aware that the pushers are exactly the same as the Patek Philippe reference 1463, or the “Tasti Tondi” as Italian collectors call it (due to the large round pushers – a first in a world where they had been square previously) – even down to the sunburst chrono pusher ends! The watch measures 35mm but wears a lot bigger due to the height of the screw case-back. This is a very special watch and oozes “if you know, you know” cool. The Mido’s movement has been fully serviced by our watchmaker and the watch will come with a fixed Bulang and Sons strap as seen in the pictures. Specifications - Mido steel chronograph - Dates to 1940s - Waterproof Francois Borgel case - Original radium dial with three scales - Modified Valjoux VZ calibre 1300 movement - Fully serviced by our watchmaker - Includes a Bulang and Sons strap.
Historical context
Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)
The wristwatch displaces the pocket watch; waterproof cases, self-winding and grand complications.
The wristwatch overtook the pocket watch. Military use in the First World War, aviation, water-resistant cases (1926), automatic winding (1923–31), rectangular Art Deco designs and early chronographs and calendars defined the period.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Industrial Revolution
Atlas type guide
Chronographs and split-seconds watches
A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.
Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.
What to look for
- Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
- Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
- Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
- Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).
Dating clues
- Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
- Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
- Automatic chronographs: from 1969.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph
Related records
Wristwatches · c. 1962
Mido Powerwind Rainbow, ref. 5907, c. 1962
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1940s
Mido wristwatch, Multi-Centerchrono Taubert/Borgel Case, circa 1940's
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1940-1950s
Mido wristwatch, Multi-Centerchrono, circa 1940-1950s
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1950s
Mido wristwatch, Multifort Datometer Grand Luxe Waterproof, circa 1950's
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · 1900–1999
Wristwatch by Mercury, 1900–1999
Modemuseum Hasselt
Wristwatches · 1900–1999
Wristwatch by Nutrix, 1900–1999
Modemuseum Hasselt
Wristwatches · 1920
Wristwatch, 1920
Modemuseum Hasselt
Wristwatches · 1931
Rolex 'Oyster Perpetual' rotor self-winding wrist-watch, lever escapement, in steel case with glass in back, Montres Rolex SA, Geneva, Switzerland, 1931
Science Museum Group, London