Vintage Rado DiaStar 90 Quartz 729.1707.3 Gold Tone Hardmetal 36mm Men's Watch

About this watch

A vintage Rado DiaStar 90 quartz, reference 729.1707.3, from the 1980s. The broad, faceted, polished gold-tone tungsten-carbide hardmetal case front frames a circular, finely textured champagne dial with applied baton markers, slender gold-tone hands, the Rado anchor logo, the DiaStar Quartz signature and a date window at 3 o'clock.

The case measures approximately 36 x 38mm and continues into an integrated two-tone bracelet in stainless steel and gold plate with Rado-signed clasp. The caseback is marked DiaStar 90, 729.1707.3 and Rado Quartz Water-Sealed. It comes with the brown Rado presentation box shown.

Brand heritage

Rado grew out of Schlup & Co., a movement workshop founded in Lengnau, Switzerland, in 1917, and began selling watches under the Rado name in the 1950s. Its trademark is the small anchor on the dial, which on automatic models is mounted so that it can swing freely.

Rado became known as the "Master of Materials" after launching the DiaStar in 1962, promoted as the world's first scratch-resistant watch thanks to its hardmetal (tungsten carbide) case and sapphire crystal. Through the 1960s and 1970s its bold automatic watches were especially popular across the Middle East and Asia.

Why this one is special

• Scratch-resistant hardmetal case, the DiaStar's defining feature
• Striking faceted 1980s case design with integrated bracelet
• Swiss quartz movement with date
• Comes with the brown Rado box

Specifications

• Brand / Model: Rado DiaStar 90
• Reference: 729.1707.3
• Era: circa 1980s
• Movement: Swiss quartz
• Functions: hours, minutes, central seconds, date at 3
• Case: gold-tone tungsten-carbide hardmetal front, approx. 36 x 38mm
• Dial: textured champagne with applied baton markers
• Bracelet: two-tone stainless steel and gold plated, Rado-signed clasp

Condition

Pre-owned vintage condition, with visible surface scratches and wear to the bracelet, clasp and caseback. The presentation box also shows signs of age and handling. As with any vintage watch, it is not guaranteed water resistant. Please review all photos carefully, as they form part of the description.
Working at time of listing.

What's included

The brown Rado presentation box. No papers.

Shipping & Returns

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