RADO Watches
Brand: Rado
Model: Quartz
Ref.: 756.2000.4
Issued ca. 1973
Case: Stainless steel with snap-on back
Bracelet: Stainless steel, mfd. by NSA, reference unknown
Movement: ESA 9181 day-date quartz
Description: This ca. 1973 model is one of Rado's earliest models powered by a quartz movement. The style is similar to many contemporaneous Rado watches and, if one is only familiar with Rado’s later thin quartz watches, the thickness would lead one to assume this is an automatic. However, it contains ESA Cal 8191, the day-date version of the first quartz movement produced by ESA (ETA). The hands on this watch are of the type also used about this time on Rado Electrosonic watches, another of the many watches utilizing technology that bridged the gap between traditional mechanical and modern quartz movements.
Not present on this series is the rotating anchor logo previously seen on Rado watches with automatic winding and many of those powered by electro-mechanical movements. This watch has an uncommon fixed anchor atop a field of red; it closely approximates the moving logo of automatic Rado watches. Also present is a singular logo only found on the early quartz models.
The case and bracelet show almost no wear; the movement is keeping accurate time. Service history is unknown, but the movement is clean; date functions properly at midnight.
The original NSA bracelet with signed Rado expansion clasp is present on this watch.
Photos:
This watch has been sold.
Brand: Rado
Model: Princess
Ref.: 7040
Issued Ca. 1971
Case: Stainless steel with screw-on back
Crystal: Plexiglass
Bracelet: N/A
Movement: ETA 2651, 17j automatic with date, gilt.
Description: Here are two examples of an early 1970s ladies model with the then-new 17.2 mm ETA caliber 2651 with quick-set calendar and a frequency of 21,600 vph. The elongated octagonal case is stainless steel; the silver dial features luminous indices, a sweep-seconds hand and a diminutive rotating anchor logo. The crown is signed with the anchor as well.
The case shows minimal wear and the back has only minor scratches. The movement is running smoothly but its service history is unknown. The textured 3-row bracelet shown is original to this model. Rado Princess inner and outer boxes are also present.
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Brand: Rado
Model: Newtronic
Ref. 11900
Case: Stainless steel with screw-back
Bracelet: n/a
Movement: ESA 9154 Dynotron - 13-jewel battery-powered electro-mechanical with balance wheel. Battery bridge signed "Rado"
Description: Newtronic is an early electro-mechanical Rado model introduced in the late 1960s (see image from a 1969 Japanese product catalogue here) The two watches shown here represent the two known dial versions--silver with horizontal markers and charcoal-grey with radially-aligned wedge hour markers. The crystal has the original Rado anchor emblem in the center. Printed on the dial (see images below) are the brand and model names as well as "LIC. ATO SWISS ELECTRONIC"—a reference to the use of technology owned by the ATO brand of Société des Etablissements Léon Hatot, pioneers in the realm of electric and self-powred timekeeping devices.
The bracelet pictured is not original to the watch and was added for purposes of photography. It is believed that the cases of all newtronics were radially brushed; the silver example below has aparently been polished incorrectly.
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These watches have been sold.
Brand: Rado
Model: NCC 505
Ref.: 625.3037.4
Issued: 1973-1978
Case: Stainless steel with Rado's NCC-System
Bracelet: Stainless steel with Rado clasp
Movement: This watch has not been opened to determine the caliber, but it is presumably an ETA 2824 or similar
Description: This is a near-mint example of a 1973-1979 NCC 505, the last of the NCC models issued by Rado beginning in 1970. According to anecdotal evidence and a period advertisement from Japan, NCC stands for New Conception Construction*--a new secure method of encasing the movement and dial which provides both shock resistance and protection from the elements. The NCC models were known for having large cases, unusual shapes, and often bold color. This example features a case whose rounded sides and straight top/bottom edges are juxtaposed with a dial whose edges feature the same pattern rotated 90 degrees. The effect is an angular watch which benefits from the softness of a few mild curves; a subtle TV-screen effect is achieved. This watch has a metallic blue dial with thick markers appearing to extend from the rehaut. The various layers, accentuate the depth of the watch which is substantial though, with the flat sapphire crystal and bezel, does not make the overall size of the watch overly cumbersome.
A NOS 22mm bracelet with signed Rado clasp is present on this watch.
*If you are able to provide other documentation of NCC, or a translation of this Japanese advertisement, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For info about and images of an early 1970s NCC 101, click here.
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This watch has been sold.
For watch articles by C. Bradley Jacobs, visit:
Brand: Rado
Model: NCC 101
Ref.: 11944
Issued: 1970-1972
Case: Stainless steel with Rado's NCC-System
Bracelet: Stainless steel with Rado clasp
Movement: This watch has not been opened to determine the caliber, but it is presumably an ETA 2824 or similar
Description: This is a pristine example of a 1970-1979 NCC 101, the first of the NCC models issued by Rado beginning in 1970. According to anecdotal evidence and a period advertisement from Japan, NCC stands for New Conception Construction*--a new secure method of encasing the movement and dial which provides both shock resistance and protection from the elements. The NCC models were known for having large cases, unusual shapes, and often bold color. This example features a case TV-screen style case with a slight peak at the 12:00 position. This watch has a metallic silver dial with thick markers appearing to extend from the rehaut. The various layers, accentuate the depth of the watch which is substantial though, with the flat sapphire crystal and bezel, does not make the overall size of the watch overly cumbersome.
A 22mm bracelet with signed Rado clasp is present on this watch. Condition of the watch is like new.
*If you are willing to provide other documentation of NCC, or a translation of this Japanese advertisement, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Images of and information about Rado's later NCC 505 model can be found here.
Photos: Click for larger images
This watch has been sold.
For watch articles by C. Bradley Jacobs, visit:
Brand: Rado
Model: Mini Manhattan (ladies' model)
Ref.: 5468
Issued Ca. 1966-1974
Case: Stainless steel with integral snap-on back/movement cradle
Crystal: Acrylic
Bracelet: NSA with Rado clasp
Movement: A. Schild Cal. 1677, 17j, hand wound
Description: This ladies’ Rado is the smallest of the original series of Manhattan models issued by Rado in the mid-1960s and produced until 1973. Introduced just after the large version and produced until 1974, is the only Manhattan model that does not have automatic winding or a deep recessed case back which holds the movement in place, snaps to the bezel, and is protected by a large plastic crystal. More information on the Rado Manhattan series can be found in this article.
This example features the relatively common silver dial with wedge markers. A period bracelet, a flat-clasp model made by Novavit S.A., is present. This page from a 1972 Japanese catalog shows the men’s version of this watch and bracelet combination. A larger ladies’ Manhattan model was also made with automatic winding and date (as shown in the 3rd photo below).
The case front shows little wear and the back has only minor marks. The movement is keeping accurate time but has not been serviced.
Photos:
This watch is not available for sale.
Note: More specific information pertaining to the manufacture/issue date of this watch is welcome.
Text and images © C. Bradley Jacobs, WatchCarefully.com