RADO Watches
RADO Jetliner - Ref. 11735
Brand: Rado
Model: Jetliner
Ref.: 11735
Issued: 1964-1967, 5,000 pieces
Case: Stainless steel with bayonet back
Crystal: Acrylic
Bracelet: Jubilee-style with Rado clasp
Movement: A Schild 1789 (base 1700/01), 25 jewels, gilt rotor
Description: This is one of the more decorative models Rado offered in the middle 1960s, with styling cues that suggest the optimism of the 1950s, but chunkier markers and a larger size case and dial than most of its contemporaries (eg. Green Horse Daymaster). The case shape, futuristic script on the dial, and the dauphine hands are reminiscent of the 1950s, but the 36mm case, 30mm dia lthe bold markers and fancy bezel differentiate this from all other Rado watches of the same shape.
The present example has a steel case with bayonet back (marked with reference and patent numbers), and the bracelet has a Rado-signed clasp and fitted end-pieces. The anchor logo rotates properly, though there is some discoloration to the dial and a bit of wear along the edges of the fluted bezel.
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Brand: Rado
Model: Starliner Daymaster
Ref.: 11775
Issued Ca. 1969
Case: Stainless steel with bayonnet back
Crystal: Acrylic with Rado logo at center
Bracelet: none
Movement: A Schild 1806 (also signed 1700/01), 30 jewels, gilt rotor
Description: This is one of the second series of Starliner models issued by Rado in the 1960s. This example has the less common small (35 mm) case and the addition of the day display; early models had date only and some examples of this model had cases of 38 mm diameter. The distinctive silver/black dial paint is original, as are the desirable cylindrical markers with beveled tops in white. The dial is fairly well preserved, showing only moderate aging and some signs of exposure, primarily on the black half. The anchor logo rotates properly, and the correct silver/white hands are present.
The case front shows little wear and the back has some minor marks. The movement, stamped A.S. 1806 is keeping accurate time; day and date change at midnight.
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
Brand: Rado
Model: Starliner
Ref.: 11757
Issued Ca. 1968
Case: Stainless steel with bayonet back
Crystal: Acrylic with Rado logo at center
Bracelet: Later NSA with Rado clasp
Movement: A Schild 1789, 30 jewels, gilt rotor
Description: This is one of the second series of Starliner models issued by Rado in the 1960s. This example has the more fashionable 38 mm case and the only a date display; later models had day and date; some examples of the Starliner had cases of 35 mm diameter. The distinctive silver/black dial paint is original, as are the desirable cylindrical markers with beveled tops in white. The dial is fairly well preserved, showing only moderate aging. The anchor logo rotates properly, and the correct silver/white hands are present. A correct style of bracelet by Novavit S.A. (NSA) is present on this example, though it is not original to this watch.
The case front shows little wear and the back has some minor marks. The movement, stamped A.S. 1789 is keeping accurate time; the date changes at midnight.
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
Brand: Rado
Model: Spherematic
Ref.: unknown
Issued Ca. 1965
Case: Stainless steel with snap-on bezel
Crystal: Acrylic
Bracelet: none
Movement: A Schild 1701, 17 jewels, gilt rotor
Description: This is an uncommon Rado Spherematic—a similar watch in design to the Starliner, but with some minor differences. This watch has a 37mm lug-less case—the attachment points for the straps/bracelet are hidden beneath the broad overhang of the case. This, along with the unusual spherical hour markers, perpetuates the theme of roundness suggested by the model name.
This example features a two-texture black dial. It appears to have been either refinished or repaired many years ago and is easily mistaken for original. However, the distribution of the marker spheres of various sizes is not consistent with other (presumed original) models I have seen. It was a very professional attempt, but the reattachment of the markers and the printing of the text and rule lines on the dial calls into question its authenticity. The date wheel exhibits age that probably belies the apparent youth of the dial.
The case shows little wear. The movement, stamped A.S. 1700/01 is running smoothly but its service history is unknown. The rotor shows signs of corrosion which is consistent with the dial having needed refinishing.
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This watch has been sold
Note: More specific information pertaining to the manufacture/issue date of this watch is welcome.
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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.
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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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