I always try to buy my watches used — or at least on the grey market — but when the Mido Multifort Patrimony was released earlier this year, my resolve was severely tested. Knowing that this watch wouldn’t pop up on the secondary market for a while yet, I finally gave in and bought it from an AD on sale.

I haven’t regretted it. The sunburst blue dial is even better looking in person than in the photos. It’s rich in low light and glitters in the sun. Interestingly, the pulsometer scale around the dial is not as noticeable in person as it is in the photos. When glancing at the watch in person, the scale appears to be more of a reflection in the box sapphire crystal, so it really does not draw any attention from the beautiful blue sector dial (as it does in photos). However, it still can be read easily on the off-chance you actually want to take your pulse.

The overall finishing of the watch is wonderful. There’s a mix of polished and brushed surfaces, and the lugs have a nice little turn in them to show the alternating surfaces to great effect. The hands, numbers, and sector lines are all lumed. Depending on the strap, the watch is versatile enough to be worn for most of my activities, from casual to dress events.

I don’t love the suede-feel, vintage-style strap that came with the watch, so I put a 20mm grey perlon on the watch for summer and ordered a custom bourbon-colored shell cordovan strap for the colder months. It’s too bad Mido went with a 19mm lug instead of 20mm, since that reduces available strap options, but with these odd lug lengths seemingly becoming more commonplace, perhaps more options will be available in the future.

If you’re looking for a gorgeous vintage-inspired watch that won’t break the bank, then check out the Mido Multifort Patrimony. It may just quicken your pulse, too.