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

Offered in this auction by Second Vintage The mid-century era of Swiss watchmaking produced some of the most enduring and character-rich designs, and the Rado Golden Horse stands as a superb example of this golden age. Known for combining robust stainless steel construction with charming, idiosyncratic design elements, the Golden Horse helped cement Rado’s reputation worldwide. With its iconic free-spinning anchor logo and elegant dial proportions, this timepiece captures the essence of classic vintage horology. It is a highly wearable, historically significant watch that offers both visual warmth and reliable mechanical intrigue for the discerning collector. Brand: Rado Model: Golden Horse Reference Number: 11675 Movement: Automatic Caliber AS 1700/01 Dial: Silver sunburst with applied indices, showing authentic patination and minor freckling Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless steel Production Year: 1960s Condition: Good vintage condition with strong case geometry and honest dial aging Dial and Hands The silver dial features a subtle sunburst finish that plays beautifully with the light, complemented by applied faceted steel baton hour markers. Sweeping over the dial are elegant dauphine hands that exhibit mild, age-consistent surface oxidation, alongside a slender center seconds hand. At the twelve o'clock position sits Rado’s signature kinetic element, the free-spinning anchor logo set against a deep purple background. A striking red roulette-style date is displayed at three o'clock within a raised metallic window frame, while the crisp twin seahorse emblem is prominently printed at the six o'clock position above the Golden Horse script. A careful inspection of the dial reveals honest vintage patination, including even freckling and minor surface spotting. These natural signs of aging are evenly distributed, avoiding any harsh localized damage, and impart a warm, authentic character to the watch without compromising its high legibility or overall charm. Case and Crystal The 35 mm stainless steel case is robustly proportioned with thick, sweeping lugs that retain their distinct shape and structural integrity. The transition between the case flanks and the lug tops remains well-defined, showing the expected superficial scratches and handling marks commensurate with decades of regular wear. The watch is fitted with a signed Rado crown featuring the anchor motif. Turning the watch over reveals a screw-down caseback deeply embossed with the Rado twin seahorses medallion, surrounded by clear engravings of the reference number 11675, patent numbers 343942 and 345602, and water-sealed markings. The prominent domed crystal arches smoothly over the dial, presenting clearly while showing only minor surface wear visible under direct, angled lighting. Movement Powering this timepiece is the Swiss-made automatic Caliber AS 1700/01, a dependable workhorse from the era. The movement is visually striking, featuring a bi-metallic presentation with a heavy gold-tone rotor proudly stamped with the Rado name, the anchor emblem, and its 30 jewels designation. The underlying rhodium-plated bridges remain clean and well-preserved, with the caliber number clearly stamped on the base plate. Running and operational, offering typical vintage performance, the movement yields timegrapher results measuring -51s to -60s/day. Strap The watch is currently paired with a handsome, period-correct black leather strap. The strap features a lightly textured finish with contrasting white edge stitching, securely fastened by a classic stainless steel pin buckle, offering a comfortable fit and complementing the vintage aesthetic perfectly. Condition This timepiece is presented in good vintage condition. The case remains thick and sturdy, exhibiting moderate wear and fine scratches typical of a tool-oriented dress watch of its age, yet completely avoiding any heavy gouges or signs of over-polishing. The dial displays a lovely, organic patina with fine age spotting that will appeal to collectors who value unrestored originality. The caseback engravings remain wonderfully deep and crisp. Dimensions The stainless steel case measures 35 mm in diameter, excluding the crown, providing a classic and highly versatile mid-century fit on the wrist. Remarks This Golden Horse represents an excellent opportunity to acquire a highly original, character-driven Rado. The combination of the red date wheel, the kinetic purple anchor, and the warm patina of the silver dial makes this a deeply engaging watch to wear and observe. It stands as a testament to Rado’s distinct mid-century design language and robust engineering. History Introduced in the late 1950s, the Golden Horse was one of Rado’s earliest and most successful efforts to create a highly water-resistant, durable automatic watch for the everyday gentleman. It was during this period that Rado introduced the spinning anchor logo, initially conceived as a clever visual indicator of the automatic winding mechanism's health. If the watch required servicing, the anchor would theoretically stop spinning freely. Today, the Golden Horse remains a vital part of Rado’s heritage, celebrated for bridging the gap between elegant dress watches and capable steel sports watches. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-RGH-0056