Rado - Purple Gazelle - No reserve price - 625.7913.4 - Men - 1974

Presented for auction by Second Vintage An exceptional and striking timepiece, this Rado Purple Gazelle is a marvelous representation of 1970s horological design. Boasting a distinctive cushion case and a highly unusual vertical day-date display at the six o'clock position, this watch immediately captures attention. The striking silver vertically brushed dial, accented by the iconic rotating Rado anchor and the red gazelle motif, showcases the brand's flair for bold, avant-garde aesthetics. Preserved in wonderful condition, this rare Rado offers collectors a fantastic opportunity to acquire a piece of true vintage character that perfectly balances robust engineering with unique retro charm. Brand: Rado Model: Purple Gazelle Reference Number: 625.7913.4 Serial Number: 9131187 Movement: Automatic, 25 jewels, Caliber 2798 Dial: Silver vertically brushed dial with applied faceted indices and vertical day-date display Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless steel Production Year: 1974 Condition: Excellent vintage condition. The watch is running within vintage tolerances, with a timegrapher reading of +40 to +46 seconds per day, which indicates a healthy movement. Dial and Hands The dial is a true visual delight, featuring a prominent vertical brushing that plays beautifully with the light. It houses applied faceted baton indices with striking black accents, perfectly matched by the distinctive baton hands. The iconic Rado anchor logo sits at the twelve o'clock position, while a vibrant red gazelle leaps across the nine o'clock area. A highly unique vertical day-date aperture is positioned at six o'clock, displaying the day in red and the date below it in black. The dial and hands are impeccably preserved, showing virtually no signs of age and maintaining a remarkably crisp and clean presentation. Case and Crystal The stainless steel cushion-shaped case features beautifully preserved lines, with a vertically brushed flat top and highly polished sweeping flanks. The transition between brushed and polished surfaces remains crisp and defined. It shows honest surface wear with faint handling marks and minor hairline scratches consistent with careful vintage use. The screw-down caseback bears the deeply engraved Rado seahorses, reference number, and serial number, retaining excellent definition. The watch is fitted with a domed acrylic crystal, correct to the period, which remains clean and clear and offers an unobstructed view of the stunning dial beneath. Movement Powering this timepiece is the robust and beautifully finished Rado signed ETA caliber 2798 automatic movement, featuring 25 jewels. The golden-finished movement showcases intricate engine turning and brushing, presenting exceptionally cleanly. It is currently offering reliable vintage performance. Strap The watch is fitted with its original stainless steel flat-link bracelet equipped with a signed Rado folding clasp. The bracelet complements the robust cushion case perfectly, showing light surface wear consistent with the rest of the watch, and accommodates a wrist size of up to 17.5 cm. Condition Excellent vintage condition. The watch is beautifully preserved for its age, with only light wear and superficial handling marks visible on the case and bracelet. The dial, hands, and indices show exceptional preservation, presenting a highly attractive face. The watch is running within vintage tolerances, with a timegrapher reading of +40 to +46 seconds per day, which indicates a healthy movement. Dimensions Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown). Remarks The Rado Purple Gazelle is a relatively rare find, especially with this specific dial layout featuring the vertical day-date configuration. Its eccentric design elements, combined with its excellent state of preservation and the reliable automatic movement, make it a highly desirable piece for collectors of uniquely styled vintage watches. History Throughout the mid-twentieth century, Rado established itself as a pioneer of unconventional watch design and material innovation. Models like the Purple Gazelle emerged during the vibrant 1970s, a period where Rado freely experimented with bold case shapes, vibrant dial colors, and distinct branding motifs like the rotating anchor. These pieces were marketed toward a clientele looking for something decidedly different from traditional Swiss designs. Today, these expressive models are heavily celebrated by vintage enthusiasts for their daring aesthetic and robust mechanical foundations. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-RXX-0008