Brand: Rado

Model: Marstron (version B)

Ref. unknown

Issued ca. 1970

Case: Stainless steel with screw-back

Bracelet: Stainless steel, reference unknown

Movement: ESA 9154 Dynotron - 13-jewel battery-powered electro-mechanical with balance wheel. Battery bridge signed "Rado"

Description: This ca. 1970 model is one of several models Rado made that suggest a fascination with the "Space Race" which culminated in the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing. Apparently, Rado's designers subsequently set their sights beyond the moon and named this futuristic watch "Marstron"--a reference both to the idea of space travel and to the forward thinking which was producing reliable electronic and electro-mechanical wrist watch movements at the time. This example features the globe-with-orbitals logo--also seen on the Rado Hardtron (essentially a Diastar with Dynotron movement)--and the rotating anchor logo previously seen only on watches with automatic winding. Hands are of varied widths of rectangles, with luminous filling, and the hours are indicated by wide hash marks--orange lines denote the quarter-hour markers except at 6:00 where the date window is located. Seconds hand is not red-tipped. Case has off-set setting crown (signed), inset case back medallion typical of models seen in Japanese market, and faceted crystal of sapphire or hard mineral. A less common example of this watch was also made; it features pointed hands and smaller, monochromatic hour markers.

The case shows minimal wear, is very presentable and is keeping accurate time. A slight blemish on the dial is difficult to notice except under magnification. Service history is unknown, but the movement is clean; date functions properly at midnight.

The original bracelet is present on this watch.

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This watch has been sold.

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Brand: Rado

Model: Marstron (version A)

Ref. n/a

Case: Stainless steel with screw-back

Bracelet: Stainless steel, reference unknown

Movement: ESA 9154 Dynotron - 13-jewel battery-powered electro-mechanical with balance wheel. Battery bridge signed "Rado"

Description: This ca. 1970 model is one of several models Rado made that suggest a fascination with the "Space Race" which culminated in the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing. Apparently, Rado's designers subsequently set their sights beyond the moon and named this futuristic watch "Marstron"--a reference both to the idea of space travel and to the forward thinking which was producing reliable electronic and electro-mechanical wrist watch movements at the time. This example features the globe-with-orbitals logo--also seen on the Rado Hardtron (essentially a Diastar with Dynotron movement)--and the rotating anchor logo previously seen only on watches with automatic winding. Hands are dagger-shaped and the hours are indicated by simple hash marks. Seconds hand is red-tipped. Case has off-set setting crown (signed), inset case back medallion typical of models seen in Japanese market, and flat crystal of sapphire or hard mineral. Most examples of this model are found with a faceted sapphire crystal (akin to those found on Diastar models), hands of a blocky, rectangular style, 1/4-hour markers colored with orange, and a distinctive bracelet with two thin connectors per link. This may be an early version.

The case shows typical wear, commensurate with its age, but overall the watch is very presentable and is keeping accurate time. Service history is unknown, but the movement is clean; date functions properly at midnight.

The NSA 7-row bracelet and straps pictured are not original to the watch and were added for purposes of photography.

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This watch has been sold.

Brand: Rado
Model: Manhattan 
Ref.: 11815
Issued Ca. 1968
Case: Stainless steel with integral snap-on back/movement cradle
Crystal: Acrylic with Rado logo at center
Bracelet: Original NSA with Rado clasp, reference 0571
Movement: Rado Cal 1859 (A Schild 1901), 17 jewels, gilt

Description: This is one of the original series of Manhattan models issued by Rado in the mid-1960s and produced until 1973. This example has the deep recessed case back which holds the movement in place, snaps to the bezel, and is protected by a large plastic crystal. The crystal envelops the case back and is rendered water-tight by close contact with an o-ring gasket. Photos of this and more information on the Rado Manhattan series can be found in this article. Please note that some later examples of the Manhattan have been seen which employ a simple snap-back which is not the water-resistant version pictured here. 

This example features the relatively common silver dial with wedge markers. The original bracelet, a flat-clasp model made by Novavit S.A., is present.
This page from a 1972 Japanese catalog shows this watch and bracelet combination.

The case front shows little wear and the back has some minor marks. The movement, stamped A.S. 1901 and 1859 (see EquationofTime.com's Rado Forum for more on this) is perfectly preserved and keeping accurate time; the day/date mechanisms change properly. The movement is clearly intended for the US market as it is marked with the import code UOR and "unadjusted' on the rotor.

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

Brand: Rado
Model: Diastar 13G Magic 
Ref.: 625.0013.3
Issued Ca. 1972
Case: Tungsten-Carbide bezel, stainless steel back
Crystal: Sapphire with longitudinal facets
Bracelet: Gold-plated NSA with expandable clasp
Movement: ETA 2798

Description: This is an uncommon Diastar “Magic” model with gold-tone tungsten-carbide case and a dial made of Tiger-eye stone. It is similar to most Diastars of the 1970s, with a faceted sapphire crystal, day/date display at 6:00 and an NSA bracelet, but the dial sets this model apart from most. With a printed anchor logo (as opposed to the in-set rotating anchor found on most Rado automatics) and the white printing and marker elements setting of the Tiger-eye, this is a very distinctive piece. A comparative review of this watch with a similar piece by Technos is available here. A 1972 Abercrombie & Fitch advertisement for this watch, with pricing information, can be viewed by clicking here. Another Rado with Tiger-eye dial, a rare Diastar 515, is described here.

The case shows almost no wear and the back has only minor scratches. The movement is running smoothly but its service history is unknown. Bracelet is also in like new condition. Overall condition of this watch is 90% or better.

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This watch has been sold.
Note: More specific information pertaining to the manufacture/issue date of this watch (and others on this site) is welcome.

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

Brand: Rado
Model: Golden Gazelle
Ref. 11404
Case: Stainless steel with screw-back; 36 x 37 mm
Bracelet: high-grade stainless steel with machined links and folding clasp; adjustable
Movement: A. Schild caliber 1859; 25 jewels, day-date, gilt, Rotor and plate signed

Description: Ca. 1968 -1972 Rado wristwatch with distinctive styling. Gazelle models are not nearly so frequently seen as the Horses (Green Horse, Golden Horse, etc.) and this Golden Gazelle is a desirable combination of an uncommon model with a very well preserved and rare patterned golden-brown dial. The condition of this watch is very good; the only flaws are a few slight scratches on the glass crystal (visible, though exaggerated, in the photos below) and some typical scuffs on the case and bezel. The bracelet appears to be a recent replacement and is truly like new. Case, dial, crown, bracelet and movement are all signed. Watch is running well; day and date function correctly. This is a very presentable example of a less common Rado model with bold style. The dial pattern is very unusual and looks quite like Tiger-Eye stone, though it is probably painted/imprinted upon metal.

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This watch has been sold.

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