Rado - Golden Horse - No reserve price - 11675/1 - Men - 1960-1969

Now available at auction from Second Vintage The Rado Golden Horse stands as a testament to the brand's mid-century design prowess and mechanical ambition. Introduced during an era when Rado was solidifying its reputation for durable, water-resistant, and visually striking timepieces, the Golden Horse quickly became a flagship model. Characterized by its iconic rotating anchor logo and the twin seahorse medallion, this reference 11675/1 captures the essence of classic watchmaking, offering collectors a mechanically robust and aesthetically distinct piece of horological history. Brand: Rado Model: Golden Horse Reference Number: 11675/1 Movement: 30-Jewel Automatic Dial: Silver sunburst with applied indices, showing visible surface marks, lacquer crazing, and age-consistent spotting Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless steel Production Year: 1960s Condition: Good vintage condition with honest wear and distinct dial character Dial and Hands The dial is a classic silver sunburst, featuring applied faceted baton indices that catch the light beautifully. At the twelve o'clock position sits the signature Rado rotating anchor logo against a deep red background, complemented by the applied black twin seahorse emblem positioned above the six o'clock marker. A framed date window at three o'clock displays striking red numerals. The dial exhibits clear signs of its vintage age, with noticeable surface marks, localized lacquer crazing, and spidering predominantly visible on the left hemisphere near the nine o'clock position. Light spotting is present around the indices and the outer minute track. The original dauphine hands and sweeping center seconds hand show moderate oxidation and patina that align with the overall aged character of the watch face. Case and Crystal The 35 mm stainless steel case retains strong, well-defined architecture, highlighted by its distinctive faceted lugs that sweep elegantly downward. The polished surfaces show honest, moderate wear with superficial scratches and handling marks consistent with decades of use, though the case lines remain appreciably sharp. The signed crown, bearing the Rado anchor, operates correctly. Turning the watch over reveals a beautifully preserved screw-down caseback, deeply embossed with the Rado twin seahorse medallion, Water Sealed text, and the reference number 11675/1. The watch is fitted with a domed acrylic crystal that displays some visible crazing and micro-fractures along the outer edges, particularly noticeable from a profile view, adding to its authentic vintage presentation. Movement Powering this Golden Horse is a robust 30-jewel automatic movement, based on a reliable A. Schild ebauche, a hallmark of Rado's mid-century production. The movement is visually striking, featuring gold-tone bridges and a matching rotor proudly engraved with the Rado name, anchor logo, and jewel count. The visual inspection reveals a clean overall aesthetic with some expected light surface aging on the brass components. Performing well within expected vintage tolerances; running strong and steady. (+30 to +35 s/d) Strap The timepiece is paired with a handsome black leather strap featuring contrasting white side stitching. The strap is supple and complements the sharp stainless steel case and vintage dial perfectly, securing cleanly to the wrist with a classic steel tang buckle. Condition This Rado is presented in good vintage condition, offering a highly authentic and unpolished aesthetic. The case retains strong geometry and the deeply engraved caseback is remarkably well-preserved. The dial shows definitive aging, including visible surface scratches, crazing, and spotting, which provides a highly patinated, lived-in character. The hands and markers display consistent oxidation. The movement is clean and operational, making this a charming and honest example of a mid-century classic. Dimensions The stainless steel case measures 35 mm in diameter excluding the signed crown. The lug-to-lug profile offers a substantial presence on the wrist, while the domed acrylic crystal adds appropriate vintage height to the overall profile. Remarks The Golden Horse remains one of Rado's most beloved vintage collections, perfectly balancing dress watch elegance with everyday durability. This specific example, with its high-jewel count movement and unmistakable patina, is a compelling find for enthusiasts who appreciate watches that proudly display their history. The combination of the red date wheel, rotating anchor, and decorated caseback makes it a quintessential Rado. History Founded in 1917 as Schlup & Co., Rado initially produced watch movements before launching its own brand of finished watches in the 1950s. The introduction of the Golden Horse collection in 1957 marked a major milestone for the company, establishing a design language that would define the brand for decades. Known for pioneering the use of unconventional materials and focusing heavily on water resistance, Rado's mid-century models like the Golden Horse were built to endure. The iconic rotating anchor logo was introduced as an ingenious indicator of service intervals, designed to stop rotating when the movement required lubrication, a quirky yet highly functional feature that remains a favorite among vintage collectors today. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-RGH-0028