Rado - Golden Horse - No reserve price - 11675/1 - Men - 1960-1969

Now available at auction from Second Vintage The Rado Golden Horse stands as a superb representation of mid-century Swiss watchmaking, seamlessly blending elegant dress watch proportions with durable, everyday functionality. First introduced in the late 1950s, the Golden Horse helped establish Rado’s reputation for producing robust, distinctively styled automatic timepieces. This particular example perfectly captures the era's charm, distinguished by its striking red date display, the iconic rotating anchor logo, and a dial that has aged with undeniable vintage character. Brand: Rado Model: Golden Horse Reference Number: 11675/1 Movement: 30-Jewel Swiss Automatic Dial: Silver with an even stardust spotting patina, applied indices, and red date numerals Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1960s Condition: Good vintage condition with honest wear and highly characterful dial aging Dial and Hands The dial presents a silver-toned base that has developed a distinct, even stardust spotting patina across its entire surface. This fine speckling provides a wealth of visual texture and genuine vintage appeal while remaining free of heavy localized damage or structural print loss. The dial features applied, faceted steel baton indices that catch the light beautifully, paired with a framed date window at three o'clock displaying an eye-catching red numeral. At twelve o'clock rests Rado’s signature free-spinning anchor logo set against a purple background, balancing the applied gold-tone twin seahorse emblem positioned prominently at six o'clock. The original steel dauphine hands show authentic surface oxidation, micro-scratches, and age-consistent wear that perfectly matches the overarching patina of the dial. Case and Crystal The 35 mm stainless steel case offers a classic, sweeping lug profile and polished surfaces that reflect a lifetime of careful use. Close visual inspection reveals honest, superficial scratches and minor handling marks consistent with regular wear, yet the case retains its fundamental shape without overly rounded edges. The original Rado anchor-signed crown is present and well-preserved. Turning the watch over reveals a screw-down caseback centered around a highly detailed, textured seahorse medallion. The caseback engravings, including the Rado Water-Sealed script, reference number 11675/1, and the associated case and symbol patent numbers, remain deep and sharply legible. A domed acrylic crystal protects the dial, showing minor, light surface wear that does not obscure the dial's intricate details. Movement Inside beats a Rado-signed 30-jewel Swiss automatic movement. The caliber features a striking gold-tone winding rotor decorated with the Rado anchor and jewel count, contrasting handsomely against the silver-tone bridges. The movement surfaces appear clean with only minor signs of historical aging visible under magnification. Running and operational, offering reliable vintage performance, the movement records a rate of +40 to +46 seconds per day. Strap The watch is fitted with a highly distinctive, modern leather strap featuring a woven or scaled top texture that reveals subtle iridescent, holographic undertones. This unique strap is accented by thick white contrast stitching along the edges and is secured to the wrist with a traditional stainless steel pin buckle. Condition This Rado is presented in good vintage condition. The unpolished stainless steel case shows normal, honest wear with superficial scratches throughout, maintaining strong overall integrity. The dial is the focal point of the aging process, displaying a comprehensive stardust spotting patina and oxidized hands that will appeal greatly to collectors who favor heavily patinated, untouched aesthetics over pristine perfection. Dimensions The watch measures a classic 35 mm in diameter, excluding the signed crown. This traditional mid-century sizing allows the watch to wear discreetly on the wrist while still offering substantial visual presence due to the relatively thick lugs and detailed dial elements. Remarks This Golden Horse is a fantastic opportunity to acquire a timepiece packed with Rado’s most celebrated design signatures. From the vibrant red date wheel to the whimsical spinning anchor and the applied seahorses, it is a watch that rewards close inspection. The pronounced, even patina ensures that this piece is entirely unique, offering a wearing experience full of history and mid-century character. History Rado introduced the Golden Horse collection in 1957, marking a pivotal moment in the brand's history as one of their first major successes under the Rado name. The model was designed to be a durable, water-resistant automatic watch that did not sacrifice elegance, quickly becoming a cornerstone of their catalog. The use of the twin seahorse logo was intended to symbolize water resistance and reliability, while the unique free-spinning anchor on the dial was implemented as a clever visual indicator of the automatic movement inside. Today, vintage Golden Horse models are highly appreciated for their quirky yet refined styling, representing a golden era of creative Swiss watchmaking. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-RGH-0052