Rado - Golden Horse - No reserve price - Men - 1960

Presented for auction by Second Vintage A captivating piece of mid-century horology, this Rado Golden Horse exemplifies the brand's innovative spirit and distinct design language from the era. Known for their robust builds and unique aesthetic touches, early Rado models like this 30-jewel automatic offer incredible charm, highlighted by the iconic rotating anchor, applied seahorse emblems, and a striking roulette date wheel. Brand: Rado Model: Golden Horse Movement: Automatic, Caliber AS 1700/01 Dial: Silver sunburst with applied indices, showing excellent preservation with very minor age-consistent spotting Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless steel Production Year: 1960 Condition: Excellent vintage condition, beautifully preserved with a crisp dial and strong case lines Dial and Hands The striking silver sunburst dial is a masterclass in mid-century texture, reflecting light beautifully across its surface. It features applied, faceted rectangular indices with central black inserts that perfectly match the faceted dauphine hands. The dial proudly displays the iconic rotating purple Rado anchor at twelve o'clock and the applied gold-tone twin seahorse emblem at six o'clock, situated just above the elegant serif "Golden Horse" script. A framed date window at three o'clock showcases striking red numerals, magnified by a cyclops integrated into the crystal. The dial remains in excellent vintage condition, presenting a clean and bright aesthetic with only faint, highly localized age-related spotting visible under close loupe inspection. The hands exhibit authentic, age-consistent oxidation and patina, adding honest vintage character without detracting from the watch's remarkable legibility. Case and Crystal The 35mm stainless steel case features a classic profile with sweeping lugs that retain strong lines and well-defined transitions between the brushed upper surfaces and polished flanks. The smooth polished bezel appropriately frames the dial, while the Rado "R" signed crown sits beautifully against the case edge. The screw-down caseback is a particular highlight, deeply embossed with the Rado twin seahorse medallion and "Water-Sealed" text, remaining crisp and highly legible with normal, honest signs of wear. The watch is fitted with a domed acrylic crystal featuring an internal date magnifier, which presents clearly and allows an unobstructed view of the vibrant dial beneath. Movement Inside beats the robust AS 1700/01 automatic caliber, clearly stamped beneath the balance wheel. The movement is beautifully finished with a signed Rado Golden Horse rotor detailing its impressive 30-jewel count. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece. The timegrapher results indicate an exceptional -2 to -3 seconds per day with strong amplitude. Strap The watch is paired with a handsome black textured leather strap, distinguished by prominent white contrast stitching that perfectly complements the monochromatic elements and sharp aesthetic of the dial. Condition Excellent vintage condition. The dial is exceptionally well-preserved with only the slightest hints of natural aging and minor oxidation on the hands. The case remains robust with honest signs of careful wear, retaining its charming factory proportions and deep caseback engravings. Dimensions Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Remarks This Rado Golden Horse is a fantastic representation of the brand's golden era, combining a high-jewel automatic movement with unmistakable visual signatures like the rotating anchor and red date wheel. It is a highly charismatic vintage piece that wears with immediate presence on the wrist. History Founded in Lengnau, Switzerland, Rado initially began as the Schlup & Co. watchmaking factory in 1917 before launching watches under the Rado name in the 1950s. The Golden Horse collection, introduced in 1957, was one of the brand's earliest major successes, cementing Rado's reputation for producing highly reliable, water-resistant automatic watches. The distinctive branding elements introduced during this era, particularly the rotating anchor logo, remain beloved by collectors today as symbols of Rado's enduring mid-century creativity. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-RGH-0019