Rado - Golden Horse - No reserve price - 11674/1 - Men - 1960-1969

Offered in this auction by Second Vintage The Rado Golden Horse represents a significant chapter in the brand's mid-century history, embodying the robust elegance and distinctive design language that defined their early success. Introduced as a premium offering, the Golden Horse line is celebrated for its enduring style, characterized by the iconic rotating anchor logo and the twin seahorse emblem. This particular example showcases a captivating two-tone aesthetic, blending refined dress watch proportions with the everyday reliability expected from a vintage Swiss timepiece. Brand: Rado Model: Golden Horse Reference Number: 11674/1 Movement: Automatic caliber AS 1858, 30 jewels Dial: Silver sunburst with applied gold-tone indices and red date display, presenting in remarkably clean condition with a subtle even champagne patina Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Gold-plated stainless steel Production Year: 1960s Condition: Good vintage condition with honest wear and an exceptionally preserved dial Dial and Hands The dial features a brilliant silver sunburst finish that has gracefully aged to a warm, even champagne hue. Applied faceted gold-tone hour markers are matched by the iconic applied Rado rotating anchor logo at twelve o'clock, set against a vibrant red background. At six o'clock, the applied seahorse emblem sits proudly above the elegant Golden Horse script. The date window at three o'clock displays striking red typography. The dial remains wonderfully clean, free from heavy spotting, moisture damage, or significant blemishes, presenting a highly attractive vintage aesthetic. The gold-tone dauphine hands show honest signs of age, with visible oxidation and subtle surface spotting under close inspection, adding authentic character to the watch. Case and Crystal The thirty-five millimeter case features a gold-plated finish over stainless steel, showcasing classic mid-century proportions with gently sweeping lugs. The case exhibits honest wear consistent with its age, including micro-scratches and minor softening of the lug profiles, while retaining its overall structural integrity. The stainless steel screw-down caseback is a highlight, proudly displaying the deeply embossed Rado Water-Sealed twin seahorse medallion alongside patent numbers and the reference stamp. The watch is fitted with a domed acrylic crystal featuring an internal magnification lens over the date aperture, remaining clear and free from deep distracting scratches. Movement Inside beats a robust thirty-jewel automatic movement, identifiable by the 1858 stamping under the balance wheel, indicating an Anton Schild base caliber. The movement features a beautifully finished gold-tone rotor proudly engraved with the Rado signature and jewel count. Running in vintage operational condition. Maintains the authentic mechanical character of the era. The timegrapher result indicates a performance of +45 to +48 seconds per day. Strap The watch is presented on an attractive two-tone beads-of-rice stainless steel bracelet that perfectly complements the aesthetic of the case. The bracelet features a folding clasp clearly stamped with the Rado signature in a textured rectangular cartouche. The links show normal vintage stretch and surface wear, maintaining a comfortable drape on the wrist. Condition Graded as good vintage condition. The timepiece displays normal vintage wear, with a beautifully preserved dial and a case showing expected handling marks and light plating wear on the extremities. The caseback medallion remains crisp and well-defined. Dimensions The case measures 35 millimeters in diameter excluding the crown. The bracelet accommodates a wrist size of up to 18 centimeters. Remarks This Golden Horse is a highly charming example of Rado's mid-century design, offering a character-rich wearing experience. The combination of the signature rotating anchor, the striking red date wheel, and the highly detailed caseback makes this a compelling acquisition for enthusiasts of distinctive Swiss vintage. History Rado was originally founded in 1917 as Schlup and Co., producing watch movements before launching the Rado brand in the 1950s. The Golden Horse collection, introduced in 1957, was one of the brand's first major successes and helped establish Rado as a prominent player in the global watch market. Known for their focus on durability and unique aesthetic touches, the Golden Horse models laid the foundation for Rado's future innovations in materials and design, making them a cornerstone of the brand's storied heritage. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-RGH-0074