Rado Golden Gazelle 11980 (1970-1979)

Offered in this auction by Second Vintage This Rado Golden Gazelle presents a classic vintage Rado design defined by its distinctive vertical day and date display at the six o'clock position. Housed within a tonneau cushion case and framed by a fluted bezel, this piece delivers strong 1970s character and remains fitted with its original signed integrated bracelet. Brand: Rado Model: Golden Gazelle Reference Number: 11980 Movement: Automatic, ETA caliber 2789-1, 17 jewels Dial: Silver sunburst with vertical day and date Case Size: 34 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless steel Production Year: 1970s Condition: Good vintage condition. Timegrapher: +60+62s/day, running in operational condition. Dial and Hands The dial features a silver sunburst finish in exceptionally clean and well-preserved condition. It is detailed with an applied Rado anchor logo retaining an intact red background, alongside applied indices featuring black inserts. A distinctive vertical day and date window sits at six o'clock, displaying the days in Spanish. The printing remains clean with no significant spotting or damage. Baton hands with black inserts complete the display, showing natural aging and some visible surface oxidation on the metal finish. Case and Crystal The stainless steel case features a tonneau cushion shape with a brushed top and polished flanks. It displays honest wear consistent with age, presenting scratches and minor dings that are most notable on the lug edges. The fluted steel bezel shows moderate wear and softening of its edges, though its overall form and classic definition remain intact. A signed crown with the Rado anchor logo features a knurled edge showing normal wear. The domed acrylic crystal is generally clear, bearing some light surface scratches and minor dust. Movement Powering the watch is the automatic ETA caliber 2789-1, a 17-jewel movement operating at 21,600 beats per hour. The signed Rado rotor and movement plates present a generally clean appearance with no obvious heavy corrosion, bearing crisp engravings including the caliber number stamped under the balance wheel. Timegrapher: +60+62s/day. Running in operational condition. Maintains the authentic mechanical character of the watch. Strap The watch is fitted with its original signed bracelet. The integrated stainless steel design features a folding clasp signed with the Rado logo and text. It presents honest wear, showing normal surface scratches consistent with use. The bracelet accommodates a maximum wrist fit of 18 cm. Condition Good vintage condition. The dial is exceptionally clean and well-preserved, while the original hands show natural aging and surface oxidation. The stainless steel case and fluted bezel exhibit honest wear consistent with age, including scratches, minor dings on the lug edges, and softened bezel facets. The domed acrylic crystal shows light surface scratches, and the original signed bracelet displays normal surface wear. The movement is running in operational condition. Dimensions 34 mm (excluding the crown). Remarks The distinctive vertical day and date display provides a highly appealing dial layout, complemented by the classic fluted bezel design. Retaining its original signed Rado integrated bracelet, this Golden Gazelle is a highly coherent vintage example. History The Rado Golden Gazelle represents a classic vintage Rado design from the 1970s. Standard production models from this era offer an excellent window into the distinctive aesthetic language of the period. This model is equipped with the reliable ETA caliber 2789-1, an automatic movement produced between 1976 and 1980 that operates at a frequency of 21,600 beats per hour and includes a quickset day and date function. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-GGX-0006