Vintage Rado Watches: A Short History and Buying Guide

Rado began in 1917 as Schlup & Co., a movement workshop in Lengnau, Switzerland. Watches carrying the Rado name appeared in the 1950s, and the brand grew quickly in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.

The DiaStar

In 1962 Rado launched the DiaStar, sold as the first scratch-proof watch. Its case top was made of hardmetal, a tungsten carbide material, with a sapphire crystal. The oval shape became the brand's signature and is still made today.

The moving anchor

On Rado automatics, the small anchor logo on the dial sits on a tiny pivot and turns as the watch moves. A freely turning anchor is a nice sign that the dial has not been disturbed.

Popular vintage lines

DiaStar: hardmetal case, many dial colours.
Golden Horse and Green Horse: classic round automatics from the late 1950s and 1960s.
Senator, Voyager, Companion: 1970s day-date automatics, often with coloured or TV-shaped dials.

What to check

Look at the dial printing under magnification, check that the day and date change correctly, and ask for a photo of the case back. Hardmetal cases resist scratches but can chip if dropped, so check the edges.