Rado - Golden Horse - No reserve price - 623 3001 4 - Men - 1970-1979

Offered in this auction by Second Vintage The Rado Golden Horse stands as a quintessential pillar of mid-century Swiss watchmaking, blending robust everyday capability with distinctive, character-rich design. First introduced to showcase the brand's advancements in water resistance and automatic winding efficiency, the Golden Horse quickly became a favorite among discerning enthusiasts. This particular example captures the quintessential charm of the era, featuring the iconic rotating anchor logo and a beautifully decorated mechanical caliber, making it a compelling piece for collectors who appreciate honest, well-traveled vintage aesthetics. Brand: Rado Model: Golden Horse Reference Number: 623 3001 4 Serial Number: 49170218 Movement: Rado signed 25-jewel automatic, caliber 2797 Dial: Silver sunburst dial with applied indices, displaying noticeable age-consistent spotting and surface patina Case Size: 35 mm Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1970s Condition: Good vintage condition with honest wear and an authentically patinated dial Dial and Hands The watch features a classic silver dial with a radiant sunburst finish that has developed a distinct and highly visible vintage character over the decades. The surface exhibits an even spread of prominent spotting, oxidation, and honest patina, giving the timepiece a truly aged and storied appearance. The dial furniture remains crisp, featuring applied faceted baton hour markers with black central channels that provide excellent contrast. At the twelve o'clock position sits the signature Rado rotating anchor logo against a deep red background, while the applied twin seahorse emblem is positioned gracefully above the six o'clock mark. The typography is well-preserved, with the Rado name applied in bold lettering and the Golden Horse script printed in a classic serif italic font. A framed date aperture at three o'clock displays striking red numerals. The dauphine-style hands, matching the indices with black central inserts, show surface oxidation consistent with the dial's overall aged aesthetic. Case and Crystal The 35mm stainless steel case presents a classic profile with sweeping lugs and a smooth, polished bezel. The case retains good structural integrity but shows clear, honest signs of wear, including surface scratches, handling marks, and minor softening of the lug edges consistent with regular use over its lifetime. The transition between the polished flanks and the upper lug surfaces remains visible. The winding crown is appropriately signed with the Rado anchor motif. Turning the watch over reveals a beautifully preserved screw-down caseback, highlighted by the deeply embossed Rado water-sealed seahorse medallion, which remains remarkably sharp. The reference number 623 3001 4 and serial number 49170218 are deeply and clearly engraved along the outer perimeter. The watch is fitted with a domed acrylic crystal equipped with an external date magnifier at the three o'clock position, showing minor surface wear that aligns with the vintage nature of the piece. Movement Powering this Golden Horse is a beautifully finished Rado-signed 25-jewel automatic movement, caliber 2797. The gold-tone mainplate and bridges provide a rich visual contrast, while the winding rotor is elaborately decorated with an intricate engine-turned guilloche pattern and deeply engraved with the Rado name and jewel count. The caliber stamps and Swiss production marks are clearly visible beneath the balance wheel. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece. The timegrapher records a deviation of +15 to +19 seconds per day. Strap The timepiece is paired with a period correct black leather strap, featuring contrasting white stitching that complements the monochromatic tones of the dial and the stainless steel case. Condition This timepiece is presented in good vintage condition. Assessable strictly from the visual evidence, the case exhibits moderate, honest wear with surface scratches and handling marks throughout the polished bezel and case flanks. The dial carries noticeable spotting, oxidation, and prominent patina, reflecting a life of genuine wear. The hands show matching age-related surface changes. Conversely, the deeply embossed caseback medallion remains exceptionally crisp and well-defined, standing out as a highlight of the watch's exterior preservation. Dimensions Case Size: 35 mm Remarks This Rado Golden Horse offers a wonderful opportunity to acquire a mechanically strong and visually characterful vintage timepiece. With its heavily patinated dial, crisp caseback, and beautifully decorated automatic movement, it wears its history proudly on the wrist, appealing directly to collectors who value authentic aging and robust Swiss engineering. History Introduced in the late 1950s, the Golden Horse was a landmark collection for Rado, designed to offer superior water resistance and reliable automatic winding to the modern gentleman. It played a pivotal role in establishing Rado's reputation for durability and distinctive styling, introducing motifs like the rotating anchor and the twin seahorses that would become enduring symbols of the brand. The Golden Horse remains a beloved classic, representing a golden era of Swiss watchmaking where elegant design met pragmatic, everyday functionality. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-GHX-0010