Rado - Purple Horse - No reserve price - 11762 - Men - 1970-1979

Presented for auction by Second Vintage The Rado Purple Horse stands as a vibrant testament to mid-century Swiss watchmaking, capturing an era where bold design and reliable mechanics intersected beautifully. Introduced as part of Rado’s highly successful "Horse" series—which included the Green, Golden, and Silver variations—the Purple Horse was designed to offer robust water resistance paired with distinctive aesthetics. This particular example is a visual delight, featuring the iconic rotating anchor logo and a striking fluted bezel. With its brilliant silver sunburst dial and striking red date display, it offers a compelling blend of elegance and vintage character, making it a standout addition to any discerning collection. Brand: Rado Model: Purple Horse Reference Number: 11762 Serial Number: 7020419 Movement: Rado 25 Jewels Automatic Dial: Silver sunburst dial with applied gold indices and purple seahorse motif, presented in exceptionally clean condition Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Gold Plated with Stainless Steel Caseback Production Year: 1970s Condition: Excellent vintage condition with a remarkably clean dial and sharp case lines Dial and Hands The dial of this Purple Horse is a masterclass in mid-century texture and detail, featuring a radiant silver sunburst finish that remains incredibly well-preserved and dynamic under light. It is adorned with applied gold-tone baton indices, each detailed with a central black stripe to enhance legibility and visual depth. The matching gold-tone baton hands feature similar black inserts and exhibit minor, honest signs of aging under close macro inspection, entirely consistent with the watch's vintage. At twelve o'clock sits the signature applied Rado anchor logo, set against a vibrant purple background. The dial is further distinguished by the crisp black printing of "RADO 25 JEWELS" and the elegant "Purple Horse" script, accompanied by the iconic twin purple seahorse motif. A framed date window at three o'clock displays the date in striking red numerals, adding a brilliant touch of color. Crucially, the dial is in exceptionally clean condition, free from notable spots, moisture damage, or discoloration, retaining its original factory brilliance. Case and Crystal The 35mm case is executed in a rich gold plating, characterized by its classic proportions and sweeping lug profile. The visual centerpiece of the case is the prominent gold-tone fluted bezel, which catches the light beautifully and adds a refined, dressy dimension to the watch. The polished case flanks and lugs retain good definition, though they display honest signs of vintage wear. Close inspection reveals some localized wear and minor pitting to the gold plating, particularly near the crown and the edge of the bezel, which is typical for plated cases of this era. The watch retains its original Rado-signed crown, featuring the embossed anchor logo. Protecting the dial is a domed acrylic crystal that remains clear and free from heavy scratches. The reverse features a stainless steel screw-down caseback, proudly displaying the embossed Rado twin seahorse emblem, reference numbers, and "Water Sealed" designation, providing a crisp contrast to the gold case. Movement Powering this timepiece is a robust Rado 25-jewel automatic movement, visible in the provided case-open photographs. The movement presents beautifully, featuring a gold-finished rotor clearly engraved with "RADO 25 JEWELS" and the anchor logo. The underlying rhodium-plated bridges and base plate appear clean and well-maintained, showcasing traditional Swiss finishing. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece, the timegrapher results show a deviation of -16 to -20 seconds per day. Strap The watch is fitted with a handsome black leather strap featuring an embossed crocodile pattern. The strap is detailed with contrasting gold-tone stitching that perfectly complements the gold case and dial furniture. It secures to the wrist with a classic gold-tone pin buckle, completing the elegant vintage presentation. Condition This Rado Purple Horse is presented in excellent vintage condition. The dial is the undeniable highlight, remaining remarkably pristine and free from the spotting or damage often found on watches of this age. The gold-plated case exhibits normal, honest wear, including some localized plating loss near the crown, but retains a strong overall presence and attractive luster. The movement is clean and performing exceptionally well on the timegrapher. Dimensions Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Remarks Finding a vintage Rado Purple Horse with such a pristine dial and striking visual configuration is a rare treat. The combination of the silver sunburst finish, gold fluted bezel, and the pop of the red date wheel creates a highly charismatic timepiece. It represents an accessible yet deeply charming entry into vintage Swiss watchmaking, offering distinctive design language that remains incredibly wearable today. History Rado's history is deeply intertwined with the pursuit of durability and distinctive design. Originally founded as Schlup & Co. in 1917, the company began producing watches under the Rado name in the 1950s. The introduction of the "Horse" collections—starting with the Green Horse in 1958—marked a significant milestone, representing Rado's first dedicated line of water-resistant watches. The Purple Horse followed, building on this legacy with reliable automatic movements and the brand's signature rotating anchor logo, which was introduced to indicate the presence of a self-winding caliber. These models solidified Rado's reputation globally and laid the groundwork for the brand's later pioneering work with scratch-resistant materials. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-RJP-0001