Rado - Voyager - No reserve price - 11863 - Men - 1970-1979

Presented for auction by Second Vintage This Rado Voyager represents the bold and imaginative design language that defined the brand during the vibrant era of 1970s watchmaking. Known for their distinctive case shapes and quirky dial layouts, Rado created timepieces that stood out from the traditional Swiss crowd. This particular Voyager features a highly charismatic vertical day and date display at the six o'clock position, paired with a classic gold-tone cushion case. Complete with the brand's signature free-spinning anchor logo, this piece offers a fantastic opportunity to acquire a mechanically intriguing and visually striking vintage dress watch with immense retro appeal. Brand: Rado Model: Voyager Reference Number: 11863 Serial Number: 4262624 Movement: Automatic, 25 Jewels Dial: Silver sunburst dial with applied faceted indices, black central stripes, and rotating anchor logo, exceptionally clean condition Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Gold-plated stainless steel Production Year: 1970s Condition: Good vintage condition with well-preserved dial and honest case wear Dial and Hands The dial of this Voyager is a true standout, preserved in remarkable condition. It features a brilliant silver sunburst finish that catches the light beautifully, radiating outward from the center. The typography is crisp, with the Rado name applied in gold-tone lettering alongside the printed Voyager text. Time is indicated by chunky, faceted gold-tone applied indices, each detailed with a bold black central stripe that perfectly matches the baton hands. A focal point of the dial is the vertical day and date window positioned at six o'clock, framed in gold, which provides a symmetrical and unusual layout. Above the center sits the iconic Rado rotating anchor logo against a vibrant pink background. A careful inspection of the dial reveals an exceptionally clean surface, free from visible spotting, moisture damage, or discoloration, presenting a near-mint visual experience under the crystal. Case and Crystal The 35mm gold-plated cushion case perfectly encapsulates the aesthetic of its era. The case features a brushed finish on its broad upper surfaces, transitioning to polished flanks. The watch is in good vintage condition, showing honest signs of wear commensurate with its age. There are visible handling marks, light surface scratches, and areas of minor plating wear and tarnish, particularly along the lower edges and near the lugs, which is typical for gold-plated cases of this vintage. The fluted crown operates smoothly. The dial is protected by a domed acrylic crystal that remains generally clear, exhibiting only minor surface wear that does not detract from the striking dial beneath. The stainless steel screw-down caseback is sharply defined, featuring the deeply engraved Rado Water-Sealed text and the triple seahorse medallion, along with clear reference and serial numbers. Movement Powering this Voyager is a Swiss-made automatic movement, featuring 25 jewels and a gold-tone rotor proudly signed by Rado. The movement presents cleanly in the photographs, with the brushed surfaces of the rotor and the intricate mechanical components well preserved. Running in vintage operational condition. Maintains the authentic mechanical character of the era. Timegrapher: -40s-45s/day. Strap The watch is fitted with a distinctive black textured leather strap. It is highly stylized with prominent contrasting yellow and white stitching that complements the gold tones of the case and dial. The strap is secured with a classic gold-tone pin buckle. Condition This Rado Voyager is in good vintage condition overall. The dial is the undeniable highlight, remaining exceptionally crisp and clean. The gold-plated case exhibits normal, honest vintage wear, including light scratches and localized plating wear along the edges. The caseback engravings remain sharp and legible. Dimensions 35 mm case diameter (excluding the crown). Remarks Vintage Rado timepieces are celebrated for their unconventional designs and robust engineering. The vertical day-date layout combined with the cushion case gives this Voyager a distinct personality on the wrist. It is a highly wearable collector's piece that delivers significant vintage charm and conversation-starting details. History Founded in 1917 in Lengnau, Switzerland, as the Schlup & Co. clockwork factory, the company launched the Rado brand in the 1950s. Rado quickly built a reputation for innovative designs and the pioneering use of scratch-resistant materials in later decades. The introduction of the moving anchor logo on the dial became a hallmark of their automatic watches, originally intended to indicate when the watch required service if the anchor stopped spinning freely. The Voyager line was a staple of Rado's mid-century catalog, offering reliable automatic movements housed in a wide variety of inventive and stylish case designs meant for the modern traveler. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-VXX-0002