Rado - Starliner 999 - No reserve price - 11730-1 - Men - 1965

Now available at auction from Second Vintage The Rado Starliner 999 is a quintessential representation of mid-century Swiss watchmaking, blending elegant design with robust mechanical performance. Known for its distinctive aesthetic and the iconic rotating anchor logo, the Starliner series has long been a favorite among vintage collectors. This particular example, featuring a striking silver sunburst dial and gold-tone accents, captures the essence of 1960s luxury while remaining highly wearable for the modern enthusiast. Brand: Rado Model: Starliner 999 Reference Number: 11730-1 Serial Number: 340857 Movement: 25 Jewels Automatic Dial: Silver sunburst dial with applied gold-tone indices, showing very light, even aging Case Size: 37 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Gold-plated with a stainless steel caseback Production Year: 1965 Condition: Good vintage condition with honest wear and a beautifully preserved dial Dial and Hands The dial of this Starliner 999 is a beautifully executed silver sunburst, radiating from the center and catching the light with a subtle, refined texture. It features applied gold-tone faceted indices with black central stripes, matched perfectly by the faceted dauphine hands, which also carry the black stripe motif. The typography is crisp, with the "RADO" name applied in gold-tone serif lettering below the iconic, free-spinning purple anchor logo at 12 o'clock. The "Starliner 999" text is cleanly printed in black at 9 o'clock. A framed date window sits at 3 o'clock. The dial is exceptionally clean for its age, showing only very minor, localized signs of natural aging upon close inspection, maintaining a bright and highly attractive vintage presence. Case and Crystal The 37mm gold-plated case presents a classic, elegant profile with gracefully sweeping lugs. The case shows honest, age-consistent wear, with some softening of the lug edges and visible plating loss, particularly on the lug tips and case flanks, revealing the base metal beneath. The fluted crown shows similar wear but remains fully functional. The stainless steel caseback is a highlight, featuring the deeply engraved Rado seahorse medallion, the "Water-Sealed" script, and the crisp reference (11730-1) and serial (340857) numbers. The watch is fitted with a domed acrylic crystal, which is clear and free of major scratches, allowing an unobstructed view of the stunning dial. Movement Inside beats a robust 25-jewel Rado-signed automatic movement. The gold-tone rotor is decorated with the Rado anchor logo and "25 JEWELS" text. The movement components show a bright, clean finish, with the balance wheel and jewels clearly visible in the provided macro shots. Performing well within expected vintage tolerances; running strong and steady. Timegrapher results indicate a performance of -25 to -30 seconds per day. Strap The watch is currently fitted with a black textured leather strap, featuring contrasting yellow/gold-tone stitching that perfectly complements the gold tones of the case and dial. The strap is secured with a gold-tone pin buckle and appears to be in excellent, lightly worn condition. Condition This Rado Starliner 999 is in good vintage condition. The dial is the clear standout, remaining remarkably well-preserved with a brilliant sunburst finish. The case exhibits noticeable, honest wear and plating loss consistent with decades of use, adding to its authentic vintage character. The deeply engraved caseback remains sharp and legible. Dimensions Case Size: 37 mm (excluding the crown) Remarks This timepiece offers a fantastic opportunity to acquire a character-rich vintage Rado. The combination of the pristine silver sunburst dial, the iconic rotating anchor, and the comfortable 37mm case size makes it an incredibly versatile and charming addition to any collection, perfectly capturing the spirit of 1960s watch design. History Founded in 1917 as Schlup & Co., Rado began producing watches under its own name in the 1950s. The brand quickly established a reputation for innovative designs and the use of unconventional materials. The Starliner series, introduced in the 1960s, became a cornerstone of Rado's lineup, recognized for its elegant dials and the signature rotating anchor logo, which served as a visual indicator of the automatic movement's winding efficiency. Today, vintage Rado models like the Starliner are celebrated for their distinctive mid-century aesthetic and enduring mechanical reliability. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-RSX-0002