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Mido Multifort Powerwind (Ref. 3746), 1950s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Mido Multifort Powerwind (Ref. 3746), 1950s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Mido (maker)
Date
1950s
Country of origin
Unrecorded in source
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 37 mm
Stock no.
MDOMFPW
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (MDOMFPW)
Catalogue title (original)
1950s Mido Multifort Powerwind (Ref. 3746) (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number MDOMFPW), this is a wristwatch by Mido, dated 1950s. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 37 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 — Craft & Tailored

The Multifort was the first automatic model for the Mido brand and was introduced in 1934. The Multifort Powerwind watches are seen housing an array of unique dials and boasts an impressive oversized 37mm case that features a "hidden" crown and screw-down case back. These stylish mid-century designed wristwatches have an attractive wrist presence and are just plain fun to wear. SPECS Stock # MDOMFPW Brand Mido Style Multifort Powerwind Model 3746 Serial 2023746 Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Black "Aged" Millimeters 37 Bracelet 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The oversized stainless steel case has been lightly polished in the past and retains full and symmetrical lugs. The "Mido" signed crown is original to the watch. The screw-down case back retains all of its original factory engravings. The watch some supplied on a 2pc handmade leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The intricate black dial has aged to reveal a beautiful speckled green patina that is consistent throughout the entire dial. The unique markers retain a hight polished finish and show only minimal signs of age. The original dauphine hands are in excellent condition as well. ACCESSORIES Non. The watch is keeping time, previous service history is unknown.

Historical context

Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)

Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.

The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking

Atlas type guide

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

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.

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