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For some untold reason, the pointer date complication was always a source of fascination for me. On vintage models from the 1930s, 40s and 50s, the complication is somehow contained in what is generally a sub-36mm watch, a veritable city’s worth of tiny mechanical pieces working together to drive this eloquent mechanism that simply informs the reader what day it is, and yet manages to do so gracefully and without cluttering a small dial (don’t even get me started on waxing poetic about the perpetual calendar).
Thankfully the complication has seen somewhat of a resurgence lately from the likes of Oris (a brand that has had one in its lineup in one form or another for decades), and more recently, from Mido. The Mido Multifort Datometer Limited Edition (hereafter simply the “Datometer,” because there’s no way I’m going to repeat all of those words over and over again) is a special re-edition of a piece from the 1940s available in a limited run of 1918 pieces (in honor of the brand’s 100th birthday). Though the original Datometer was made in steel, the current version is available exclusively in a rose gold-colored PVD finish.
The Good: Plenty of things. For one, this watch looks sharp, and though the fact that the case is a rose gold-colored PVD rather than actual gold (solid or otherwise) may turn some people off, the case finishing is actually very nicely done, with brushed sides, a polished case back, and interesting faceted lugs, and the watch is affordable precisely because it’s only a gold-colored coating ($1,350). The dial is clean and legible, with different materials and surfaces, and time and date setting are very smooth via the non-screw-down crown. I also rather like the 19mm faux-alligator strap (you get that wonderful alligator look without killing any actual alligators, so that they can be left alone to do alligator stuff in the Everglades), though the leather has worn away near the buckle, so perhaps the finishing isn’t the best (it was certainly comfortable enough).
Who They’re For: This is a noteworthy question, as the watch occupies some interesting territory by virtue of its size and materials. On the one hand, the Datometer certainly doesn’t strike me as an everyday watch, given its rose gold PVD finish and lack of much water resistance (50m). On the other hand, its 40mm diameter and 11.85mm case depth and complication don’t necessarily relegate it to dress watch territory (to my mind, a dress watch should be slightly slimmer and of a smaller diameter and without a complication, though this is merely my opinion). When I wear a watch with a suit, or even with slacks and a jacket, I want something 38mm or smaller (36mm or 34mm is a common size in my collection), and certainly want it to fit snugly under my cuff. Perhaps the Datometer is ideal for a bigger guy who wants a dress watch but doesn’t want to be stuck with something that will be dwarfed on his wrist, or someone who wants a gold-tone watch without having to shell out for a solid gold piece.
Watch Out For: Honestly, there isn’t too much that I don’t like about the Datometer besides the size. Somewhere between 36mm and 38mm would have been ideal for me, given the watch’s (assumed) intention to function as a dress piece, and I would also have welcomed a slightly thinner case. That being said, the watch uses the Mido cal. 80, based on the ETA C07.611, which is evidently the only pointer-date movement available in the ETA lineup – as the Swatch group apparently doesn’t have another choice available, I can’t very well complain about their having to design a taller case to accommodate it (the domed crystal also adds somewhat to the height, but admittedly looks great). I suppose the strap quality could be better as well, given its tendency to wear down near the buckle.
