Rado - DiaStar - No reserve price - 228684 - Men - 1970-1979

Presented for auction by Second Vintage The Rado DiaStar represents a true milestone in horological history, forever celebrated as the world’s first scratch-proof watch upon its debut in the early 1960s. With its unmistakable futuristic oval silhouette and brilliant faceted crystal, this timepiece captures the bold, avant-garde design language of its era. The combination of a highly polished hard metal bezel and a striking jewel-set dial creates a captivating presence on the wrist, making it a quintessential addition for collectors who appreciate innovative materials and distinctive vintage aesthetics. Brand: Rado Model: DiaStar Reference Number: 228684 Movement: Automatic, Caliber 2783, 25 Jewels Dial: Vertically brushed silver dial with rhinestone indices, exceptionally clean with age-consistent lume degradation on the hands Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Tungsten Carbide bezel and Stainless Steel case Production Year: 1970s Condition: Good vintage condition with a beautifully preserved dial and honest wear to the crystal and case Dial and Hands The dial is a masterclass in mid-century texture and light play, featuring a refined vertically brushed silver surface that remains exceptionally clean and free of moisture damage or spotting. It is adorned with striking faceted rhinestone indices set within square applied mounts, adding a layer of brilliance to the design. At the 12 o'clock position, the iconic Rado anchor logo sits atop a red background, designed to spin freely with the motion of the wearer's wrist. A framed date window at 3 o'clock displays the date in bold red typography. The black baton hands provide excellent contrast against the bright dial, though they exhibit clear, age-consistent degradation and darkening of the original luminous material. The black printed minute track and typography remain crisp and fully intact. Case and Crystal The defining feature of this timepiece is its distinctive oval bezel, crafted from highly polished, scratch-resistant tungsten carbide. This hard metal shield retains a mirror-like finish, transitioning smoothly to the stainless steel mid-case. The watch is fitted with a dramatic, heavily faceted crystal that creates dynamic geometric reflections across the dial. Careful visual inspection reveals a noticeable scratch on the left side of the faceted crystal, along with minor surface wear consistent with vintage use. The stainless steel screw-down caseback is deeply engraved with the classic Rado seahorse medallion, stars, and "Water-Sealed" text, alongside the faint reference number. The original Rado-signed crown, featuring the anchor logo, is present and well-preserved. Movement Powering this DiaStar is a robust Rado-signed 25-jewel automatic movement, clearly stamped with the Caliber 2783 designation under the balance wheel. The movement presents beautifully with a gold-plated rotor and clean, well-maintained surfaces throughout the gear train and plates. Performing well within expected vintage tolerances; running strong and steady. The timegrapher results indicate a deviation of -30 to -34 seconds per day. Strap The watch is fitted with a period-correct stainless steel Rado bracelet featuring a multi-link design that drapes comfortably across the wrist. The folding clasp is decorated with horizontal grooved lines and proudly bears the embossed Rado logo. The bracelet shows normal signs of vintage wear and stretch, maintaining its structural integrity and authentic aesthetic appeal. Condition This timepiece is presented in good vintage condition. The dial is outstandingly clean, serving as the visual highlight of the watch, while the hands show honest, natural aging to the luminous material. The hard metal bezel retains its impressive factory brilliance, though the faceted crystal displays a visible scratch on the left side and light surface marks. The stainless steel caseback and bracelet exhibit standard handling wear and superficial scratches expected from a watch of this era. Dimensions Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Wrist Size: 19 cm Remarks Vintage watches possess a unique mechanical character and historical charm that modern timepieces simply cannot replicate. Due to their age, these watches have lived previous lives and will naturally display honest signs of use, patina, and mechanical individuality. We strongly encourage all bidders to carefully review the provided high-resolution images, as they serve as the primary condition report and illustrate the exact cosmetic state of the watch. History Introduced in 1962, the Rado DiaStar revolutionized the watchmaking industry by introducing the concept of the scratch-proof watch. By utilizing ultra-durable hard metals like tungsten carbide for the bezel and pairing it with a sapphire crystal, Rado created a timepiece designed to retain its original brilliance for decades. The DiaStar's unconventional oval shape and futuristic styling quickly made it a global success and a defining model for the brand. Today, vintage DiaStar models are celebrated by collectors for their daring space-age design, innovative use of materials, and enduring mechanical reliability. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-RDX-0006