Description: In 2002 Rado celebrated the 40th anniversary of the introduction of the DiaStar series, the original scratch-proof watch with case components made of tungsten-carbide. Among several commemorative models Rado produced at the time, were DiaStar Accustar models with ETA auto-quartz movements. The present watch is one from a commemorative set, of which 300 were produced. The dial is an unusual textured grey color with features akin to the tentacles of an octopus. Hands and markers are luminous. The case features a special display-back, which reveals via star-like apertures a pattern of silver & black panels on a disc attached to the rotor. The case back is engraved with the dates 1962-2002 and the individual series number of the watch (also the number of the set of which it was once part). The auto-quartz movement, ETA Cal. 205.911, is gold-plated and signed. This caliber is a slightly more elaborate version of one offered in Swatch Auto-Quarz models; that 15-jewel movement (Cal. 205.711) cannot be hand-wound.

The original bracelet with signed Rado clasp is present on this watch.

Photos: Click for larger images

This watch has been sold.

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

Brand: Rado

Model: Starliner Daymaster

Ref.: 11780/1

Issued Ca. 1968

Case: Stainless steel with screw-back

Crystal: Acrylic with Rado logo at center

Bracelet: none

Movement: A Schild 1859, 25 jewels, gilt

Description: This is one of the second series of Starliner models issued by Rado in the 1960s. This example has the large (38 mm) case and the addition of the day display; earlier models had date only and some had cases of 35-36 mm diameter. The distinctive silver/black dial paint is original, as are the desirable cylindrical markers with beveled tops in either black or white. The dial is well preserved, showing only moderate aging. The anchor logo rotates properly, and the correct silver/black hands are present.

The case front shows little wear and the back has some minor marks. The movement, stamped A.S. 1859, was completely serviced in July 2007 and is keeping accurate time.

This Starliner Daymaster model is one of several included in a 1969 magazine ad promoting the Day-Date models in the Rado line. Note that the text accompanying this model (C.) erroneously identifies it as a Voyager, a model with completely different styling.

Photos: Click for larger images

This watch has been sold.

Note: More specific information pertaining to the manufacture/issue date of this watch is welcome.

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

Rado Golden Horse
2007 Re-issue for Japan

This is a 2007 Rado Golden Horse made for the Japanese market. Rado issued this limited-production model to celebrate 50 years of selling the Rado brand in Japan; this is a modern interpretation of a typical style from the Golden Horse line that was a tremendous success in Japan.

This watch sold new for 126,000 Yen, but was not available outside of Japan.

Features of this Golden Horse watch (reference R658.3832.4; model R84832153 indicating black dial) include:

• 25-jewel ETA automatic movement

• Stainless steel case and bracelet (with extra links)

• Screw-down crown (for 100m WR)

• Plexiglas crystal with cyclops

• Applied hour markers and logos

• Original papers and 2-year warranty card (valid through 7/09)

• Original boxes & hang tag

This watch has been sold.

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

Brand: Rado

Model: Diastar 515

Ref.: 515

Issued: 1970s

Case: Tungsten-carbide with stainless steel screw-back and Rado's NCC movement protection system

Bracelet: Stainless steel "fish-tail", mfd. by SK, reference unknown

Movement: This watch has not been opened to determine the caliber, but it is presumably an ETA 2824 or similar

Description: Sometime during or just after the production of Rado's NCC series, this watch was produced. Its case is identical in shape and dimensions to the NCC505 model, a steel watch made from 1970-1979 (click here for a comparison photo), but is shrouded in tungsten-carbide as are all Diastar models. Diastar 515s are apparently a rare model and this example is even more so due to the dial being made of Tiger-Eye stone. In the 1970s, Rado made many different models available with dials made of various minerals and composites. Tiger-Eye seems to have been a popular material (click here for a comparison review which includes another Tiger-Eye Diastar). Notable on the stone-dial models is the lack of a rotating anchor logo found on nearly all Rado automatic watches since 1962. The fragile nature of the dial material forced the designers to limit the number of apertures in the dial in order to maintain rigidity. As a result, the printed logo often found on hand-wound Rados is present here, though this watch is self-winding.

The original SK "fish tail" bracelet with signed Rado clasp is present on this watch. Each of the links is also signed underneath with the anchor logo.

Photos: Click for larger images

This watch has been sold.

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

Description: This is a mid-1960s example of a Rado 56-H chronometer, and the only one I have seen with silver markers and dial in a steel case. Other examples have been seen in 18k or gold-plated cases with gold or silver dial featuring gold markers. This watch has a typical Rado case in the style of contemporary watches, such as the Golden Horse, but where those watches have a sea-horse emblem on the case back, the 56-H has an image of a shooting star above the earth. The significance of the model name and the image is described in my article on early Rado chronometers at the NAWCC website.

Published accounts* of this model indicate that between 1957 and 1972 Rado created 911 wrist chronometers using A. Schild automatic movements exclusively. The specific designation of this model is 56-H B, indicating it uses the second-generation AS movement with date. This example may be among the earliest Rado chronometers delivered to the USA. The brand's introduction to the American market took place in 1965 (with the Manhattan model taking center stage) and this watch, with markings of "undajusted" and the import code UOR, was certainly intended for export from Switzerland to the United States.

The case shows very little wear; the dial appears to be original and nearly 100%. Unlike the 30mm dial of the gold versions, this watch appears to have a dial of 27-28mm, and fits in a standard Rado case of the era. The movement's prior service history is unknown but it was completely overhauled at RGM in December 2008, is working perfectly and remains in nearly NOS condition. Crown is signed with block letter R. Unfortunately, the original chronometer certificate is not present with this watch (the photos show the box & certificate belonging to an 18k example).

Photos:  (photos 4 & 5 courtesy RGM Watch Co.)

*Click here to see an excerpt about a similar Rado from Fritz Von Osterhausen's book Wristwatch Chronometers (Callwey Verlag, Munich, 1996). A gallery of promotional materials related to early Rado chronometers, including 56-H chronometers can be viewed by clicking here (apologies--photo hosting issues have temporarily disrupted this gallery).

This watch is now part of the collection of Rado Watch Co. in Lengnau, Switzerland. Look for it when their museum opens!

Note: More specific information pertaining to the manufacture/issue date of this and other 56-H watches is welcome. Also, I am always seeking 56-H watches and parts--including boxes and paperwork.  I have a personal mission to preserve these watches, especially those which have been removed from their gold cases.
Please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have 56-H information or material. 

 Text and images © C. Bradley Jacobs, WatchCarefully.com unless otherwise indicated

Description: This ca. 1972 model is one of Rado's many electronic/electric models that bridged the gap between the standard automatic & mechanical movements of pre-1970 and the quartz movements that because prevalent by the mid-1970s. This watch features a tuning-fork movement made by ESA with technology licensed from Bulova, creators of the original tuning-fork wristwatch: the Accutron. This example has Rado's trademark scratch-proof tungsten-carbide case. It is beveled along the sides and is faceted across the top with five planes that are matched by similar facets in the sapphire crystal. The dial of this watch features an unusual mesh or cross-hatched tecture that reflects light in a way that mimics mother-of-pearl. Typical of many Electrosonic models, this watch has U-shaped hour markers that combine with printed hash marks to approximate the shape of a tuning fork.

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. There is, however, a singular logo only found on the Electrosonic models.

The case front shows no wear, though the back has some minor marks. The movement is keeping accurate time and actually hums nicely. Service history is unknown, but the movement is clean; date functions properly at midnight.

The original SK bracelet with signed Rado clasp is present on this watch.

Photos: Click for larger images

Some similar models as this were marked "Diastar" on the dial, as shown in this 1970s advertisement.

This watch has been sold.

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