Presented for auction by Second Vintage
A well-preserved example of Rado's distinctive 1970s design language, this Purple Horse pairs a chunky cushion case with a striking vertically brushed silver dial. The crisp factory brushing and applied red anchor logo highlight the character of this attractive vintage timepiece.
Brand: Rado
Model: Purple Horse
Reference Number: 11761/72
Serial Number: 721929
Movement: Automatic ETA caliber 2783
Dial: Vertically brushed silver with applied red anchor logo
Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown)
Case Material: Stainless steel
Production Year: 1970s
Condition: Excellent vintage condition. Timegrapher: +15+19s/day, performing remarkably well.
Dial and Hands
The vertically brushed silver dial is pristine and striking, remaining in excellent condition with no visible spotting, staining, or moisture damage. The applied Rado anchor logo sits crisply on a red background, complemented by an attractive red date display. Printed red seahorses and dial text are fully intact. The baton hands feature black inserts that match the indices perfectly, presenting clean surfaces with no significant oxidation or corrosion.
Case and Crystal
The stainless steel chunky cushion case is sharp and well-preserved, showcasing crisp transitions between the brushed top surface and polished flanks. It exhibits light superficial scratches consistent with careful wear. The watch retains its original crown, which is clearly signed with the Rado anchor logo and retains good definition on the knurling. The flat acrylic crystal is generally clear, with some light surface scratches visible at certain angles.
Movement
Powering the watch is a gold-plated ETA 2783 automatic movement that appears very clean. The correctly signed rotor and bridges feature engravings reading "RADO", "25 JEWELS", "SWISS", "204", and "2783". There is no visible corrosion, oxidation, or damaged screw heads. Recording +15+19s/day on the timegrapher, it is exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece.
Strap
The watch is fitted with its original signed stainless steel link bracelet, complete with matching endlinks stamped B4759F. The bracelet shows honest wear with moderate surface scratches and will accommodate a maximum wrist size of 16.5 cm.
Condition
Excellent vintage condition. The case retains sharp geometry and crisp factory brushing, showing only light superficial scratches from careful use. The vertically brushed silver dial is beautifully preserved without visible moisture damage, and the acrylic crystal bears only light surface marks. The original bracelet displays moderate surface scratches from normal wear. Supported by the recorded timegrapher result of +15+19s/day, the movement is performing very strongly.
Dimensions
36 mm (excluding the crown)
Remarks
This Purple Horse stands out through its sharp case transitions and beautifully preserved silver dial. The presence of the original matching bracelet and signed crown makes it a highly cohesive and attractive example of 1970s Rado design.
History
During the 1970s, Rado established a reputation for bold case geometries and distinctive visual signatures, most notably the rotating anchor logo and seahorse motifs. The Purple Horse line reflects this creative era of the brand's production, offering robust everyday wearability powered by reliable Swiss automatic calibers like the ETA 2783.
/ Second Vintage
SKU: RAD-RPH-0012














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Rado - Purple Horse - No reserve price - 11761/72 - Men - 1970-1979
Rado
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