Rado - Voyager - No reserve price - Men - 1970-1979

Presented for auction by Second Vintage This Rado Voyager is a captivating example of the brand's mid-century design ingenuity, offering collectors a highly unusual and visually striking dial layout. Known for pushing the boundaries of traditional watchmaking aesthetics, Rado utilized bold case shapes and distinctive dial furniture to stand out in the crowded Swiss market. This specific timepiece is distinguished by its vertical day and date display at the six o'clock position, a rare and highly attractive configuration that perfectly balances the iconic free-spinning anchor logo at twelve o'clock. Housed in a robust cushion case and paired with an incredibly unique textured bracelet, this Voyager captures the adventurous spirit of 1970s horology while remaining exceptionally wearable today. Brand: Rado Model: Voyager Movement: Swiss Automatic, 25 Jewels Dial: Silver sunburst with vertical day-date aperture, showing light age-consistent spotting and a remarkably clean overall presentation Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1970s Condition: Good vintage condition with honest wear and strong case lines Dial and Hands The dial of this Rado Voyager is a masterclass in unconventional yet balanced design, featuring a brilliant silver sunburst finish that radiates beautifully under the light. At the twelve o'clock position sits Rado's signature free-spinning anchor logo set against a vibrant purple background. In a rare layout, the applied "RADO" text is positioned at nine o'clock, while the printed "VOYAGER" text balances it at three o'clock. The true focal point is the vertical day and date aperture at six o'clock, framed by a prominent black border. The applied block indices feature black center stripes with white tips, perfectly matching the stark black baton hands. The dial remains in highly attractive condition, showing only very faint, age-consistent spotting and minor surface dust under close inspection. The hands exhibit slight, honest aging to their black finish, presenting a beautiful vintage character without detracting from the watch's striking legibility. Case and Crystal The 36 mm stainless steel cushion case exemplifies the robust and architectural design language of the era. The case features a distinct transition between the brushed upper surfaces and the brightly polished case flanks. The original Rado crown, signed with the anchor logo, is partially recessed into the side profile for a sleek appearance. The case remains in good vintage condition, displaying honest surface scratches and handling marks consistent with regular wear, while retaining strong, well-defined lug profiles and edges. The watch is fitted with a domed acrylic crystal, which remains clear and well-preserved, offering an unobstructed view of the dynamic dial beneath, with only very light signs of use. Movement Powering this Voyager is a robust Swiss automatic caliber, featuring 25 jewels and beautifully finished gold-tone bridges and rotor. The Rado-signed rotor sweeps smoothly over the clean movement, which presents exceptionally well with no visible signs of moisture or mishandling. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece. The timegrapher results indicate an impressive performance of +3 to +10 seconds per day. Strap The watch is fitted with its original stainless steel bracelet, which features an extraordinary staggered, textured link design that catches the light brilliantly and conforms comfortably to the wrist. The folding clasp is proudly stamped with the Rado anchor logo. The bracelet shows normal stretch and light surface wear consistent with the age of the timepiece, perfectly matching the condition of the case. Condition This Rado Voyager is in good vintage condition. The case and bracelet show honest, unpolished wear with typical surface scratches, maintaining their original structural integrity and finishing contrasts. The dial is exceptionally well-preserved for its age, exhibiting only minor, attractive aging that enhances its vintage appeal. The movement is clean and running with outstanding precision. Dimensions The stainless steel case measures exactly 36 mm in diameter, excluding the signed crown. The cushion shape and integrated lug design provide a substantial and comfortable presence on the wrist, wearing slightly larger than a traditional round case of the same dimension. Remarks Finding a Rado Voyager with this specific vertical day-date configuration and original textured bracelet is a rare treat for enthusiasts of distinctive vintage design. The combination of the silver sunburst dial, unconventional layout, and space-age case geometry makes this a phenomenal conversation piece. It is a highly capable everyday vintage watch that stands out in any collection. History Founded in 1917 as the Schlup & Co. clockwork factory, Rado evolved into a pioneer of unconventional watch design and material innovation by the mid-20th century. The Voyager line was introduced as a robust, travel-ready automatic timepiece, often featuring the brand's signature water-resistant case designs and the iconic moving anchor logo, which originally served as an indicator of when the movement required service. Rado's willingness to experiment with dial layouts, such as the vertical day-date seen here, cemented their reputation as one of the most forward-thinking and creatively daring Swiss watchmakers of the 1970s. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-RVX-0015