Rado - Over-Pole - No reserve price - 11876 - Men - 1970-1979

Now available at auction from Second Vintage The Rado Over-Pole represents a fascinating era of Swiss watchmaking where bold architectural case designs met refined, high-contrast dial finishing. Built during a period when Rado was solidifying its reputation for robust and distinctive timepieces, the Over-Pole combines a sturdy cushion case with the brand's signature kinetic anchor logo. This specific example stands out for its exceptional dial preservation, offering collectors a striking and highly wearable piece of 1970s horological design. Brand: Rado Model: Over-Pole Reference Number: 11876 Serial Number: 4351656 Movement: Rado-Signed 25-Jewel Automatic Dial: Vertically brushed silver dial, exceptionally clean and well-preserved Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1970s Condition: Excellent vintage condition with an outstanding dial Dial and Hands The dial of this Over-Pole is a masterclass in mid-century texture and contrast, featuring a brilliant silver surface with deep, pronounced vertical brushing. The applied faceted block indices are heavily chamfered and feature thick black center channels, providing excellent legibility and a sharp, industrial aesthetic. At 12 o'clock sits the iconic Rado rotating anchor logo, rendered in silver against a vibrant ruby-red circular background. A framed date aperture is positioned at 3 o'clock, displaying striking red numerals. The typography is executed in crisp black sans-serif print, with "RADO" and "OVER-POLE" perfectly intact. The baton hands mirror the indices with matching black central stripes. The dial is exceptionally clean, completely free of spotting, moisture damage, or significant aging, presenting a remarkably fresh and well-preserved aesthetic. Case and Crystal The 36 mm stainless steel cushion case retains its strong factory geometry and distinctive 1970s profile. The case features a prominent vertically brushed upper surface that transitions sharply into highly polished, sloping flanks. The watch exhibits honest signs of vintage wear, including superficial hairlines and minor handling marks consistent with its age, but remains free of deep gouges or evidence of heavy over-polishing. The original Rado-signed crown, featuring the anchor motif, is correctly fitted. The polished screw-down caseback is deeply engraved with the Rado triple seahorse "Water-Sealed" medallion, alongside the reference number 11876 and serial number 4351656. The raised domed acrylic crystal exhibits some minor surface wear along the extreme outer edges but provides a clear and unobstructed view of the pristine dial beneath. Movement Inside beats a gold-tone Rado-signed 25-jewel automatic movement, based on a robust Swiss A. Schild ebauche with the AS shield visible beneath the balance wheel. The movement presents beautifully, with bright components and a rotor clearly engraved with "RADO" and "25 JEWELS". Running in vintage operational condition. Maintains the authentic mechanical character of the era. Timegrapher testing indicates a deviation of -60 to -65 seconds per day. Strap The watch is fitted with a period-correct stainless steel multi-link bracelet that perfectly complements the robust cushion case profile. The bracelet features a brushed and polished block-link design, showing standard vintage wear and stretch consistent with its age. Condition This timepiece is presented in excellent vintage condition. The dial is the undeniable highlight, remaining remarkably well-preserved and free of notable flaws or deterioration. The case retains its authentic character with honest, age-appropriate wear, and the mechanical components are intact and operational. Dimensions The case measures exactly 36 mm in diameter excluding the crown. The included stainless steel bracelet is sized to comfortably accommodate a wrist of up to 18 cm. Remarks The Rado Over-Pole is a fantastic representation of mid-century Swiss design language, combining a substantial wrist presence with refined and intricate dial details. The contrasting black accents against the vertically brushed silver dial make it a visually striking piece, while the rotating anchor logo adds a touch of signature Rado charm. History Founded in 1917 in Lengnau, Switzerland, as the Schlup & Co. watchmaking factory, the company launched the Rado brand in the 1950s. While Rado would later become world-renowned for their avant-garde designs and pioneering use of scratch-resistant high-tech ceramics, their earlier steel sports and travel watches laid the foundation for their reputation for durability and distinctive styling. The Over-Pole series was part of Rado's initiative to create capable, stylish watches for the modern traveler. The rotating anchor logo, introduced in 1962, became a hallmark of their automatic watches, ingeniously symbolizing the kinetic energy of the automatic winding rotor that powers the movement. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-OXX-0001