Vintage Rado Coupole Automatic 31mm Sapphire Crystal Silver Dial Swiss Watch Box

About this watch

A striking sapphire front and an automatic mechanical movement give this vintage Rado Coupole an appealing combination of sculptural design and traditional watchmaking. A broad, glossy black surround frames a smaller silver-tone dial, creating a floating-dial effect, with reflections shifting across the crystal as the wrist moves.

Gold-tone hands and delicate gold-tone dot markers bring warmth to the dial, while larger dark markers define the quarter hours and a discreet date aperture sits at six. The compact 31mm case, reference 129.3577.4N on the caseback, connects to a black leather strap through unusual polished central attachments, finished with a Rado-signed gold-tone buckle.

Brand heritage

Rado grew out of Schlup & Co., a movement workshop founded by the Schlup brothers in Lengnau, Switzerland, in 1917; watches were first sold under the Rado name in the 1950s. In 1962 the brand launched the DiaStar, the first scratch-resistant watch, earning Rado its reputation as the "Master of Materials" and a pioneer of hardmetal, sapphire crystal and high-tech ceramic.

The Coupole collection reflects Rado's longstanding interest in unconventional forms and the expressive use of sapphire crystal.

Why this one is special

• Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with dramatic black surround
• Swiss automatic movement in a compact, elegant case
• Unusual polished central strap attachments
• Rado-signed buckle and Rado presentation box

Specifications

• Brand / Model: Rado Coupole
• Caseback reference: 129.3577.4N
• Era: late 1980s to 1990s
• Movement: Swiss automatic
• Functions: hours, minutes, central seconds, date at 6
• Case: approx. 31 mm excluding crown, approx. 10 mm thick
• Crystal: sapphire with broad dark outer surround
• Strap: black leather with Rado-signed gold-tone buckle

Condition

Visible signs of age and use include scratches to the caseback, light dial spotting and wear to the leather strap. The accompanying box shows surface wear and fading to its printed markings. Please examine the photographs closely, as they form part of the description.
Working at time of listing.

What's included

The watch on its strap and the Rado presentation box shown. No papers.

Shipping & Returns

Ships from Cairo, Egypt. Please see the shipping and returns details in this listing.