Three great names – Mido Multifort, Taubert & Fils and Gay Freres combined in one watch. The watch is also engraved with the military engraving ATP.
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
The case back is stamped BRIT PAT 385 509. This patent was issued in 1932 to Taubert & Fils, watch case makers in Geneva of some note. In the 1930’s, Taubert & Fils made the stainless steel cases for many companies, including Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin.
Mido introduce the Multifort range in 1935, and it was their best seller until the 1950’s. It was one of the first watches to be waterproof, shockproof and antimagnetic. We have an image of a 1937 similar watch from Mido, fitted with the same bracelet.
The Bonklip style of bracelet was first patented in 1930 in London. Gay Freres copied the design and used it with some of their top customers, including Rolex. The GF stamped bracelets are highly sort after because of the quality associated with this brand. Indeed, the most expensive watch ever sold at auction (to date) is a Patek Philippe 1518, which fetched $11m and was on a Gay Freres band. Hodinkee did a nice write up of the Gay Freres brand here.
Finally, we have the ATP marking and broad arrow. This would indicate that this watch was issued during the second world war to someone in the British army. However, we have issues with this. No record of Mido watches being issued survive (although records are not complete – there is no definitive answer on what ATP stands for even!). But the style of watch doesn’t match the tougher tool watches that were generally issued, and any engraving may have been added to a watch that had been in stock.
So with all this evidence we believe this watch was made circa 1937.
CONDITION
The case has a copper bezel and lugs that matches the hands. Sadly the top left lug is missing the copper. The 17 jewel in house Mido 813F movement is working nicely, and still has the anti dust and magnetic cover with it. The stainless steel case is good, with drilled lugs and screw on caseback. The dial has and even cover of age spots, but happily no radium was ever used on this dial. That rare GF bracelet is working perfectly and the video shows how these Bonklip style bracelets work. Model number 1366 is stamped between the bottom lugs.
This watch will be supplied with our Certificate of Authenticity.
Please see the HD video for more detail.
SIZE
Width with crown 31.8 mm
Width without crown 29.8 mm
Between lugs 16 mm
Lug to lug length 36.5 mm
Case Thickness 9.6 mm
Bracelet maximum length 240 mm
All sizes are approximate
Included with this watch is a 2 month guarantee and free delivery to UK addresses. If you live outside the UK we can still deliver to most countries. Please see our Worldwide Shipping information, or Contact Us.
