Brand: Rado
Model: Murano
Ref.: 11974
Issued: 1972
Case: Stainless steel with bezel of red Murano glass
Bracelet: S-K, stainless steel
Movement:  ETA 2789, 17j, gilt


Description: 

This is an uncommon Rado Murano with steel case and bezel insert made of glass from Murano, Italy. Via e-mail, Rado in Lengnau, Switzerland indicated that 10,000 Murano watches--red, green and blue glass versions--were produced beginning in 1972, though few seem to survive intact today. A second reference number (11976) was assigned to a version with gold-plated bezel. This distinctive model appears to be part of a large series of watches produced by Rado which are named for famous places whose names begin with the letter M (see also Manhattan, Mannheim, Miami, Manchester, etc.); it is also an excellent example of Rado's penchant for using non-traditional case materials.

Production from 1972 – 1979
Number of pieces: approx. 10,000
11974 (625.3050.4 after 1972): blue / red / green with white bezel (stainless steel); CHF 350.
11976 (625.3051.4 after 1972): blue / red / green with yellow bezel (gold-plated); CHF 455.

Another reference number has been seen—625.3048.4 with blue glass insert—but not confirmed. More information on this is available in the Rado Discussion Forum at www.EquationofTime.com.

Also, a Murano case with a dial marked Rado Laser Beam (a name used by Tressa during this period) has been seen but not authenticated.

Dimensions are as follow:
Case width--
without crown 36.2mm
with crown 39.2mm
Case length--38.2mm

Photos: Click for larger

Photo by the author Photo by the author Photo by the author Photo by the author Photo by the author Photo by the author Photo by the author


A pair of Japanese adverts (the first somewhat amusingly in black-and-white, the second from 1973):

Photo courtesy Rado Watch Company
1973 Murano 


 Text and images © C. Bradley Jacobs, WatchCarefully.com

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