Rado
- Founded
- 1917
- Based in
- Lengnau, Switzerland
- In our catalog
- 6 watches from $1,050 to $4,200
Rado's whole story is about surfaces that don't wear out. In 1962 it launched the DiaStar, sold as the first scratch-resistant watch. In the 1980s it brought high-tech ceramic into watchmaking. If you've ever wanted a watch that still looks new after years of daily wear, Rado has been working on that problem longer than anyone.
History
Brothers Fritz, Ernst and Werner Schlup founded a movement factory in Lengnau, near Biel, in 1917. The Rado brand was launched in 1957, and five years later the DiaStar arrived with a case made of hardmetal, a tungsten carbide material far harder than steel, and a sapphire crystal. Its oval case looked futuristic then and still looks unusual now.
In 1986 Rado launched the Integral, with a bracelet in high-tech ceramic, and ceramic became the brand's signature material. Rado has been part of the Swatch Group since the 1980s. In 2017 it reissued the Captain Cook, a 1962 diver, which brought in a whole new audience of vintage fans.
Signature models
- Captain Cook Automatic 42: The reissued diver, with a sloped ceramic bezel, a domed crystal and an 80-hour movement.
- Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic: The same design with a full ceramic case and an open-worked dial.
- DiaStar Original: The 1962 scratch-resistant design, still made with its faceted crystal.
- True Square Automatic: A square ceramic watch that often comes in bold colors and designer collaborations.
- Centrix Automatic Open Heart: A modern dress watch with a window onto the balance.
- Coupole Classic: An entry-level dress watch with a clean, classic look.
What it's known for
Rado's ceramic is light, hypoallergenic and warm on the skin, and it keeps its polish for years. The brand also works with designers on unusual colors and shapes.
Price and positioning
Rado watches mostly cost $1,000 to $4,000, in the same part of the Swatch Group as Longines. The Captain Cook is the model most enthusiasts look at first, and pre-owned ceramic Rados are often good value.
Rado watches in our library
- Rado Coupole Classic ($1,050 to $1,300)
- Rado DiaStar Original ($1,900 to $2,200)
- Rado Centrix Automatic Open Heart ($1,900 to $2,100)
- Rado Captain Cook Automatic 42 ($2,400 to $2,700)
- Rado True Square Automatic ($2,400 to $2,600)
- Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic ($3,800 to $4,200)