Rado - Voyager - No reserve price - 11814 - Men - 1973

Presented for auction by Second Vintage The Rado Voyager stands as a quintessential representation of 1970s watchmaking, perfectly balancing robust everyday utility with distinctive, avant-garde design elements. Encased in a substantial stainless steel cushion profile, this timepiece exudes a strong wrist presence that captures the era's transition toward bolder, more geometric forms. The true charm of this Voyager lies in its dial layout, featuring the brand's signature rotating anchor logo and a highly unusual vertical day and date aperture at the six o'clock position. This configuration, paired with a brilliant silver sunburst finish, creates a captivating and highly legible face that appeals directly to collectors of unique vintage Swiss automatics. Brand: Rado Model: Voyager Reference Number: 11814 Serial Number: 43104677 Movement: Rado signed Swiss automatic, 25 jewels Dial: Silver sunburst dial with applied faceted indices and vertical day-date, exceptionally clean condition Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless steel Production Year: 1973 Condition: Good vintage condition with honest wear and a beautifully preserved dial Dial and Hands The dial of this Rado Voyager is a visual delight, characterized by a radiant silver sunburst finish that plays beautifully with the light. It is exceptionally well-preserved, appearing clean and free from heavy spotting, moisture marks, or significant discoloration. The hour markers are applied, faceted batons featuring striking black center stripes that provide excellent contrast against the silver background. At twelve o'clock sits the iconic Rado rotating anchor logo, set against a vibrant purple background, adding a welcome splash of color. At six o'clock, the watch features a distinctive vertical day and date aperture with a black background and white typography, framed by an applied silver border. The original baton hands mirror the design of the indices with matching black center inserts, remaining crisp and well-defined. The dial text, including the applied Rado logo and printed Voyager script, is sharp and fully intact. Case and Crystal The 36mm stainless steel cushion case features sweeping, polished surfaces that emphasize its substantial 1970s silhouette. The case exhibits honest signs of vintage wear, with various surface scratches, handling marks, and minor dings visible along the flanks and bezel area, indicative of regular use over the decades. The transitions between the curves remain distinct, maintaining the authentic profile intended by Rado. The watch is fitted with a signed crown featuring the Rado anchor emblem. The domed acrylic crystal shows visible surface scratches and scuffs under direct lighting, which is consistent with its vintage nature. Turning the watch over reveals a stainless steel screw-down caseback, proudly stamped with the Rado Water Sealed seahorse medallion, stars, and the reference and serial numbers, accompanied by some typical tool marks from past openings. Movement Powering this Voyager is a reliable Swiss automatic movement, beautifully finished in a rich gold tone and signed by Rado on the rotor with 25 jewels. The movement presents a clean overall aesthetic with its components neatly arranged and well-maintained. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece. The timegrapher results indicate a performance of -10 to -13 seconds per day. Strap The watch is paired with a period-correct black textured leather strap. The strap features contrasting white stitching along the edges, complementing the monochromatic elements of the dial, and is secured with a standard stainless steel pin buckle. Condition This timepiece is presented in good vintage condition. The dial is the undeniable highlight, remaining remarkably crisp, clean, and visually striking. The stainless steel case shows moderate, honest wear with surface scratches and minor nicks that speak to its history as a worn timepiece. The domed acrylic crystal exhibits noticeable scuffing and scratches. The caseback engravings remain legible and well-defined despite some opening marks. Dimensions The case measures 36 mm in diameter excluding the signed crown. Remarks With its bold cushion case, striking vertical day-date display, and the ever-charming rotating anchor logo, this Rado Voyager is a fantastic conversation piece. It offers a generous footprint on the wrist while delivering the reliable performance expected from vintage Swiss engineering. History Founded in Lengnau, Switzerland, Rado has long been celebrated for its willingness to experiment with unconventional designs and pioneering materials. During the mid-twentieth century, the brand carved out a unique niche by producing highly durable, water-resistant automatic watches with distinct visual identities. The Voyager line was introduced as a robust companion for the modern traveler, combining dependable automatic movements with Rado's signature flair. The inclusion of the free-swinging anchor logo on the dial was originally intended as a service indicator, designed to stop rotating when the movement required lubrication, though it quickly evolved into one of the most beloved and recognizable quirks in vintage horology. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-VXX-0007