Rado - Purple Horse - No reserve price - 11761 - Men - 1970-1979

Presented for auction by Second Vintage This distinguished timepiece captures the essence of mid-century Swiss watchmaking, offering a compelling blend of robust engineering and distinctive aesthetic flair. With its signature branding elements and reliable mechanical heart, this piece stands as a testament to an era when wristwatches were transitioning into bold expressions of personal style and technical capability. Brand: Rado Model: Purple Horse Reference Number: 11761 Movement: Automatic AS 1700/01 Dial: Silver sunburst with applied indices, showing minor age-related spotting Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless steel Production Year: 1970s Condition: Good vintage condition with honest wear and attractive original character Dial and Hands The dial features a radiant silver sunburst finish that plays beautifully with the light, serving as an elegant backdrop for the intricate dial furniture. Applied faceted baton indices with black inserts provide excellent contrast and visual depth. At twelve o'clock, the iconic Rado anchor logo sits proudly, while the lower half of the dial is adorned with the signature applied twin seahorse emblem in a striking purple hue. A framed date aperture at three o'clock displays the date in a vibrant red roulette-style typography. Close inspection reveals minor surface spotting and faint age-related dust scattered across the dial, consistent with its vintage pedigree. The dauphine hands, featuring matching black center stripes, exhibit noticeable surface oxidation and aging, adding a layer of authentic historical charm to the presentation. Case and Crystal The 35 mm stainless steel case retains well-defined lug profiles, showcasing a pleasing transition between the brushed upper surfaces and the polished flanks. The distinctive fluted bezel frames the dial prominently but shows clear signs of honest wear, including visible brassing and plating loss along the outer edges that reveal the base metal beneath. The watch is equipped with its original signed crown, deeply engraved with the Rado R logo. Turning the watch over reveals a screw-down caseback adorned with the deeply embossed Rado twin seahorse medallion and Water Sealed typography, which remains crisp and highly legible. A domed acrylic crystal protects the dial, well-preserved and offering an unobstructed view of the vintage characteristics beneath. Movement Inside beats the reliable automatic caliber AS 1700/01, customized by Rado with a striking gold-tone rotor proudly engraved with the brand name and 25 Jewels specification. The movement presents cleanly, showcasing the enduring mechanical craftsmanship of the era. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece. The timegrapher results indicate a strong performance of +18 to +22 seconds per day. Strap The watch is fitted with a period-correct black leather rally strap. It features white contrast stitching and classic perforations, complementing the sporty yet refined aesthetic of the timepiece while offering a comfortable fit on the wrist. Condition This timepiece is presented in good vintage condition. It exhibits honest wear throughout, most notably the brassing on the fluted bezel and the surface oxidation on the handset. The silver sunburst dial remains highly attractive with only minor spotting, while the stainless steel case maintains strong structural integrity and appealing lines. Dimensions Case width measures 35 mm excluding the crown. Remarks This Purple Horse represents a charming example of mid-century Rado design, combining distinctive branding elements like the applied purple seahorses and the vibrant red date display into a highly wearable package. It offers a wonderful opportunity to acquire a character-rich vintage piece with undeniable wrist presence. History Rado introduced the Horse collection in the late 1950s, using the nomenclature to denote their premium water-resistant automatic models. The Purple Horse became a staple of the brand throughout the following decades, celebrated for its robust construction and distinctive styling cues. The collection helped solidify Rado's reputation for durability and design innovation, and it remains a beloved target for vintage watch enthusiasts who appreciate its unique place in Swiss horological history. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-PHX-0001