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Benefit Plans Benefit Plans (Detail 12) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
Rollforward of Activity for Level 3 Asset Categories [Roll Forward] |  |
Fair Value of Plan Assets, Beginning | $ 904,435 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets | $ 825,774 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes, Plan Assets | (79,810)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanForeignCurrencyExchangeRateChangesPlanAssets | 17,881 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanForeignCurrencyExchangeRateChangesPlanAssets
Fair Value of Plan Assets, Ending | 883,223 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets | 904,435 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
Level 3 |  |
Rollforward of Activity for Level 3 Asset Categories [Roll Forward] |  |
Fair Value of Plan Assets, Beginning | 101,923 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | 99,697 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Still Held | 7,442 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsStillHeld / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | 1,040 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsStillHeld / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Sold During Period |  | 4,811 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsSoldDuringPeriod / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Defined Benefit Plan,Purchases, Total | 28,012 mtd_DefinedBenefitPlanPurchasesTotal / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | 11,919 mtd_DefinedBenefitPlanPurchasesTotal / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Defined Benefit Plan Sales, Total | (21,703)mtd_DefinedBenefitPlanSalesTotal / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | (13,210)mtd_DefinedBenefitPlanSalesTotal / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes, Plan Assets | (9,950)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanForeignCurrencyExchangeRateChangesPlanAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | 2,477 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanForeignCurrencyExchangeRateChangesPlanAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Fair Value of Plan Assets, Ending | 110,535 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | 101,923 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Other Types of Investments, Multi-Strategy Fund of Hedge Funds |  |
Rollforward of Activity for Level 3 Asset Categories [Roll Forward] |  |
Fair Value of Plan Assets, Ending | 80,951 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_OtherTypesOfInvestmentsMultiStrategyFundOfHedgeFundsDomain | 77,312 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_OtherTypesOfInvestmentsMultiStrategyFundOfHedgeFundsDomain
Other Types of Investments, Multi-Strategy Fund of Hedge Funds | Level 3 |  |
Rollforward of Activity for Level 3 Asset Categories [Roll Forward] |  |
Fair Value of Plan Assets, Beginning | 77,312 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_OtherTypesOfInvestmentsMultiStrategyFundOfHedgeFundsDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | 74,985 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_OtherTypesOfInvestmentsMultiStrategyFundOfHedgeFundsDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Still Held | 4,456 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsStillHeld / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_OtherTypesOfInvestmentsMultiStrategyFundOfHedgeFundsDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | 1,420 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsStillHeld / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_OtherTypesOfInvestmentsMultiStrategyFundOfHedgeFundsDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Sold During Period |  | 4,811 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsSoldDuringPeriod / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_OtherTypesOfInvestmentsMultiStrategyFundOfHedgeFundsDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Defined Benefit Plan,Purchases, Total | 22,867 mtd_DefinedBenefitPlanPurchasesTotal / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_OtherTypesOfInvestmentsMultiStrategyFundOfHedgeFundsDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | 11,792 mtd_DefinedBenefitPlanPurchasesTotal / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_OtherTypesOfInvestmentsMultiStrategyFundOfHedgeFundsDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Defined Benefit Plan Sales, Total | (21,649)mtd_DefinedBenefitPlanSalesTotal / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_OtherTypesOfInvestmentsMultiStrategyFundOfHedgeFundsDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | (12,691)mtd_DefinedBenefitPlanSalesTotal / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_OtherTypesOfInvestmentsMultiStrategyFundOfHedgeFundsDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes, Plan Assets | (6,846)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanForeignCurrencyExchangeRateChangesPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_OtherTypesOfInvestmentsMultiStrategyFundOfHedgeFundsDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | 1,806 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanForeignCurrencyExchangeRateChangesPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_OtherTypesOfInvestmentsMultiStrategyFundOfHedgeFundsDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Fair Value of Plan Assets, Ending | 80,951 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_OtherTypesOfInvestmentsMultiStrategyFundOfHedgeFundsDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | 77,312 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_OtherTypesOfInvestmentsMultiStrategyFundOfHedgeFundsDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Real Asset Mutual Funds, Commodities |  |
Rollforward of Activity for Level 3 Asset Categories [Roll Forward] |  |
Fair Value of Plan Assets, Ending | 52,234 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_RealAssetMutualFundsCommoditiesDomain | 49,752 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_RealAssetMutualFundsCommoditiesDomain
Real Asset Mutual Funds, Commodities | Level 3 |  |
Rollforward of Activity for Level 3 Asset Categories [Roll Forward] |  |
Fair Value of Plan Assets, Beginning | 23,136 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_RealAssetMutualFundsCommoditiesDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | 22,986 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_RealAssetMutualFundsCommoditiesDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Still Held | 2,952 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsStillHeld / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_RealAssetMutualFundsCommoditiesDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | (449)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsStillHeld / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_RealAssetMutualFundsCommoditiesDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Sold During Period |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsSoldDuringPeriod / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_RealAssetMutualFundsCommoditiesDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Defined Benefit Plan,Purchases, Total | 5,030 mtd_DefinedBenefitPlanPurchasesTotal / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_RealAssetMutualFundsCommoditiesDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | 0 mtd_DefinedBenefitPlanPurchasesTotal / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_RealAssetMutualFundsCommoditiesDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Defined Benefit Plan Sales, Total | 0 mtd_DefinedBenefitPlanSalesTotal / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_RealAssetMutualFundsCommoditiesDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | 0 mtd_DefinedBenefitPlanSalesTotal / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_RealAssetMutualFundsCommoditiesDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes, Plan Assets | (2,922)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanForeignCurrencyExchangeRateChangesPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_RealAssetMutualFundsCommoditiesDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | 599 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanForeignCurrencyExchangeRateChangesPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_RealAssetMutualFundsCommoditiesDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Fair Value of Plan Assets, Ending | 28,196 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_RealAssetMutualFundsCommoditiesDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | 23,136 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_RealAssetMutualFundsCommoditiesDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Fixed Income Mutual Funds, Insurance Contracts |  |
Rollforward of Activity for Level 3 Asset Categories [Roll Forward] |  |
Fair Value of Plan Assets, Ending | 24,676 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_FixedIncomeMutualFundsInsuranceContractsDomain | 26,108 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_FixedIncomeMutualFundsInsuranceContractsDomain
Fixed Income Mutual Funds, Insurance Contracts | Level 3 |  |
Rollforward of Activity for Level 3 Asset Categories [Roll Forward] |  |
Fair Value of Plan Assets, Beginning | 1,475 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_FixedIncomeMutualFundsInsuranceContractsDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | 1,726 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_FixedIncomeMutualFundsInsuranceContractsDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Still Held | 34 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsStillHeld / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_FixedIncomeMutualFundsInsuranceContractsDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | 69 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsStillHeld / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_FixedIncomeMutualFundsInsuranceContractsDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Sold During Period |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsSoldDuringPeriod / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_FixedIncomeMutualFundsInsuranceContractsDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Defined Benefit Plan,Purchases, Total | 115 mtd_DefinedBenefitPlanPurchasesTotal / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_FixedIncomeMutualFundsInsuranceContractsDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | 127 mtd_DefinedBenefitPlanPurchasesTotal / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_FixedIncomeMutualFundsInsuranceContractsDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Defined Benefit Plan Sales, Total | (54)mtd_DefinedBenefitPlanSalesTotal / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_FixedIncomeMutualFundsInsuranceContractsDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | (519)mtd_DefinedBenefitPlanSalesTotal / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_FixedIncomeMutualFundsInsuranceContractsDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes, Plan Assets | (182)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanForeignCurrencyExchangeRateChangesPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_FixedIncomeMutualFundsInsuranceContractsDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | 72 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanForeignCurrencyExchangeRateChangesPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_FixedIncomeMutualFundsInsuranceContractsDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Fair Value of Plan Assets, Ending | $ 1,388 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_FixedIncomeMutualFundsInsuranceContractsDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member | $ 1,475 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mtd_FixedIncomeMutualFundsInsuranceContractsDomain / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member

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- Definition Actual return on plan assets, separately identifying the amount related to assets sold during the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (d)(iv)(02)(A) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph (c)(iv)(02)(A) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e2446-114920 + Details
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- Definition Assets, usually stocks, bonds, and other investments, that have been segregated and restricted (usually in a trust) to provide benefits, at their fair value as of the measurement date. Plan assets include amounts contributed by the employer (and by employees for a contributory plan) and amounts earned from investing the contributions, less benefits paid. If a plan has liabilities other than for benefits, those non-benefit obligations may be considered as reductions of plan assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 30 -Section 35 -Paragraph 50 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=29635418&loc=d3e12355-114930 + Details
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- Definition The amount of increase or decrease in plan assets attributed to foreign currency changes. The effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes that are to be disclosed are those applicable to plans of a foreign operation whose functional currency is not the reporting currency. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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