Rado Spacewing 11762 (1970-1979)

Presented for auction by Second Vintage A striking example of 1970s avant-garde design, this Rado Spacewing embodies the bold aesthetic and engineering prowess that defined the brand during the golden age of Swiss watchmaking. With its distinctive oval silhouette, iconic rotating anchor logo, and original bracelet, this timepiece offers a retro-futuristic charm that is highly sought after by collectors of "Space Age" horology. Brand: Rado Model: Spacewing Reference Number: 11762 Serial Number: 742664 Movement: Automatic, 25 Jewels Dial: Silver sunburst Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless steel Production Year: c. 1970s Condition: Good vintage condition. The watch presents honest signs of wear with visible surface scratches on the case and clasp consistent with age and use. The dial remains in attractive condition with only minor patina, preserving the vintage character of the piece. Dial and Hands The silver sunburst dial features a vertical brushed finish that plays beautifully with the light, anchored by bulky, applied vertical block indices that give the face a three-dimensional depth. The signature Rado anchor logo at 12 o'clock sits on a red background and rotates freely, a beloved feature of the brand's automatic models. A framed date window is positioned at 3 o'clock, displaying the date in red numerals. The baton-style hands are fitted with black inlays for contrast, and the dial text "SpaceWing" is crisp and intact. Case and Crystal The stainless steel case features an oval, C-shape design that sits comfortably on the wrist, measuring 35mm in diameter. The case finish is a mix of polished surfaces which show surface scratches and wear typical of a watch from this era. The crown is original and signed with the Rado anchor symbol. The acrylic crystal is high-domed, adding to the vintage profile. The screw-down caseback features the famous Rado "Water Sealed" medallion with three seahorses, a testament to the brand's focus on durability. Movement Powering the watch is a Swiss-made automatic movement signed by Rado with 25 jewels. The gold-plated movement appears clean and features a decorated rotor. It is running within vintage tolerances, with timegrapher readings showing +22s to +30s/day, which indicates a healthy movement offering reliable vintage performance. Strap The watch is fitted with its original stainless steel mesh Milanese bracelet that perfectly complements the case design. It secures with a signed clasp featuring the embossed "Twin Seahorses" logo. The bracelet is adjustable and accommodates a wrist size of approximately 19.5cm. Condition This timepiece is in good vintage condition. The stainless steel case and bracelet show visible scratches and scuffs from decades of wear, particularly on the clasp and high-polished case sides. The dial has aged gracefully with very minor spotting that does not detract from its overall beauty. The movement winds and sets smoothly, and the rotating anchor on the dial functions correctly. Dimensions The case measures 35mm in width excluding the signed crown, offering a classic vintage proportion that wears slightly larger due to the oval case shape. Remarks The Rado Spacewing is a quintessential representative of 1970s watch design, combining unconventional case shapes with robust mechanics. This specific example, with its original bracelet and rotating anchor, is a fantastic entry point for collectors looking for a distinctive Swiss timepiece with genuine history and character. History Rado has long been recognized as a pioneer in materials and design, often experimenting with hard metals and scratch-resistant ceramics well ahead of the industry. The Spacewing belongs to a celebrated lineage of "Space" named models from Rado in the 1960s and 1970s, reflecting the era's fascination with space exploration and futuristic technology. These watches were designed to be not only visually striking but also incredibly durable, solidifying Rado's reputation as a master of the "Master of Materials." / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-RSX-0005