Rado - Starliner 400 - No reserve price - 44182619 - Men - 1970-1979

Offered in this auction by Second Vintage The Rado Starliner 400 is a striking representation of the brand's mid-century design philosophy, blending avant-garde case geometry with distinctive dial architecture. Known for pushing the boundaries of traditional watchmaking aesthetics, Rado created timepieces that were instantly recognizable on the wrist. This particular example stands out with its unusual vertical day-date display at the six o'clock position and the iconic free-spinning anchor logo, capturing the essence of 1970s horological innovation in a highly wearable stainless steel format. Brand: Rado Model: Starliner 400 Reference Number: 44182619 Serial Number: 44182619 Movement: Automatic ETA Caliber 2798 Dial: Silver sunburst, honest vintage condition with visible wear, creamy lume patina Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless steel Production Year: 1970s Condition: Excellent vintage condition with exceptionally preserved case lines and a well-presented dial showing some expected wear Dial and Hands The dial of this Starliner 400 presents a vintage silver sunburst finish, displaying visible signs of wear consistent with careful use over time. The typography remains clear, with "RADO" printed to the left and "STARLINER 400" to the right, providing balanced dial symmetry. Applied faceted hour markers feature central black inserts, creating dynamic reflections. Original tritium lume dots on the indices have aged to an even creamy patina. The signature Rado anchor logo appears at twelve o'clock. The vertical day-date aperture at six o'clock offers a distinctive design element, framed by a faceted metallic window. The original baton hands show matching black stripes and luminous material toned with the dial, with faint, honest oxidation visible under magnification. Case and Crystal The 36mm stainless steel case retains a bold tonneau shape with pronounced, faceted lugs. The case remains sharply defined, preserving factory brushing and polish, and only shows light, vintage-appropriate surface marks. The original Rado-signed crown operates correctly. The screw-down caseback remains crisply engraved with the Rado seahorse medallion, stars, and "Water Sealed" text, as well as the serial number, with minor tool marks visible. The watch is fitted with a domed acrylic crystal featuring the original Rado anchor etched at center, a hallmark detail. The crystal remains clear with only minor surface wear. Movement Powering this timepiece is a Swiss-made automatic movement, identified as an ETA Caliber 2798 base, visible under the balance wheel. The movement features a gold-toned finish across the bridges and the rotor, which is proudly engraved with "RADO 25 JEWELS". The plates and gears appear clean and visually well-maintained. Running within vintage tolerances. Maintains the authentic mechanical character of the era. +40s to +45s/day. Strap The watch is presented on its original Rado stainless steel spring-link expansion bracelet, often referred to as an NSA-style bracelet. The links feature a brushed finish that perfectly matches the case top. The folding clasp is distinctly stamped with the Rado name and the anchor logo. The bracelet remains in excellent condition with tight springs and accommodates a wrist size of up to 19cm. Condition This Rado Starliner 400 is in excellent vintage condition. The dial displays some vintage wear but retains its overall appeal, with even patina on the luminous elements. The stainless steel case keeps its crisp chamfers and original finishes, showing only light, honest surface marks. The correct signed crown, signed bracelet, and anchor-etched crystal further enhance collector desirability. Dimensions Case width: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Wrist capacity: 19 cm Remarks Finding a Rado Starliner 400 with this level of case sharpness and original bracelet is increasingly difficult. The vertical day-date configuration delivers a unique twist compared to standard layouts, and the inclusion of the original, fully functional expansion bracelet completes the authentic 1970s wearing experience. This is a highly compelling acquisition for enthusiasts of unconventional vintage design. History Founded in 1917 as Schlup & Co. and later transitioning to the Rado brand in the 1950s, the company quickly built a reputation for pioneering unusual materials and space-age designs. During the 1960s and 1970s, Rado released a plethora of models under the "Liner" and "Star" monikers, experimenting with case shapes, dial layouts, and their signature moving anchor logo. The Starliner series represents a period of great creativity for the brand, offering robust automatic movements housed in cases that defied traditional round watch conventions, cementing Rado's legacy as a true innovator in mid-century horological design. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-RSX-0021