Rado - Lumino - No reserve price - K674516 - Men - 1970-1979

Presented for auction by Second Vintage This Rado Lumino perfectly encapsulates the daring and expressive design language of the 1970s, a period when watchmakers experimented boldly with textures, faceted crystals, and distinctive case shapes. Known for their robust engineering and avant-garde aesthetics, Rado produced timepieces that remain immediately identifiable today. This particular Lumino stands out with its highly stylized case architecture and a mesmerizing, deeply textured dial that plays dynamically with the light underneath an impressive faceted crystal. It is a striking and collectible example of vintage Swiss eccentricity that wears with incredible presence on the wrist. Brand: Rado Model: Lumino Reference Number: K674516 Movement: ETA 2824 Automatic Dial: Heavy textured golden-brown fumé with applied indices, showing excellent preservation and clean surfaces Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1970s Condition: Good vintage condition with well-preserved dial and attractive factory faceted crystal Dial and Hands The dial of this Lumino is a visual masterpiece, featuring a pronounced, deeply granulated cracked-earth texture that transitions from a vibrant golden center to darker, smoky brown edges in a striking fumé effect. The layout is clean and perfectly preserved, completely free of moisture damage, staining, or prominent signs of degradation. It features applied silver-tone faceted indices detailed with central stripes, paired with matching baton hands that exhibit intact, aged luminous material and black contrasting center lines. The iconic Rado rotating anchor sits at the twelve o'clock position against a pinkish-red background disc, moving freely as intended. Below it, the RADO name is applied in polished silver-tone lettering, while the word LUMINO is cleanly printed in white sans-serif typography above the six o'clock marker. A highly legible date window at three o'clock displays striking red numerals framed by a stepped silver border. Case and Crystal The 35 mm stainless steel tonneau case balances strong, angular lines with graceful curves. It features brushed top surfaces that transition into a highly polished smooth bezel framing the dial. The watch retains its Rado anchor-signed crown, which remains crisp. Covering the dial is a remarkable faceted crystal, characterized by geometric, diamond-like cuts across its surface that create spectacular light refraction and depth. The case displays honest signs of wear, including moderate surface scratches, scuffs along the polished flanks, and standard handling marks consistent with its vintage age, but it maintains strong structural integrity without heavy over-polishing. The screw-down caseback is clearly engraved with the Rado Water Sealed text, the signature triple seahorse emblem, and the K674516 reference number, showing typical scratches from previous wear and opening. Movement Powering this timepiece is the reliable Swiss ETA caliber 2824 automatic movement. The movement presents cleanly in the provided images, with visible factory engravings including the ETA 2824 stamp, the Swiss hallmark, and the caliber code 401 beneath the balance wheel. The sweeping rotor is cleanly brushed and operational. Running and operational, offering reliable vintage performance, the movement registers timegrapher results of -9s to -15s/day, indicating very healthy movement. Strap The watch is fitted with its original stainless steel flat-link bracelet, completed by a folding clasp bearing the Rado name and anchor logo stamping. The bracelet features brushed outer links with polished center sections, complementing the case finish. It shows visible vintage wear, including surface scuffs, scratches across the clasp, and localized dark spotting or accumulated dirt between several of the links. It remains structurally sound and is sized to accommodate an 18 cm wrist comfortably. Condition This Rado Lumino is presented in good vintage condition. The case and bracelet exhibit obvious, honest signs of daily wear, including surface scratches and localized marks on the steel links, but no structural damage. The faceted crystal remains remarkably intact and attractive, showcasing the dial perfectly. The heavily textured dial is in stunning condition, retaining bright text, highly polished applied furniture, and an unblemished surface. Dimensions Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Wrist Size: 18 cm Remarks Finding a vintage Rado that retains both its complex faceted crystal and an unblemished, intensely textured dial is a rewarding discovery for any collector of 1970s horology. The Lumino is a fantastic conversation piece that delivers unique aesthetic charm alongside dependable ETA automatic functionality. History Founded in 1917 as Schlup & Co. and later transitioning to the Rado brand name in the 1950s, the company quickly built a reputation for pioneering unconventional designs and scratch-resistant materials. The 1960s and 1970s marked a golden era for Rado, defined by the introduction of the iconic rotating anchor logo and the release of visually arresting models featuring faceted crystals, integrated bracelets, and exotic dial materials. The Lumino is a proud representative of this era, showcasing the brand's commitment to creating watches that were not only precise instruments but also bold statements of futuristic design. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-RLK-0006