Rado Manhattan (1970-1979)

Presented for auction by Second Vintage An exceptional and highly distinctive vintage piece, the Rado Manhattan captures the bold architectural spirit of its namesake city. With its commanding rectangular case and striking geometric presence, this watch is a testament to Rado's innovative design language of the era. The juxtaposition of the brushed silver dial against the chunky applied indices and the iconic rotating anchor logo makes this a deeply charming and collectible timepiece. Brand: Rado Model: Manhattan Movement: Mechanical Dial: Silver with vertical brushing and applied indices Case Size: 34 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless steel Production Year: c. 1970s Condition: Good vintage condition. Timegrapher results show -21 to -25 seconds per day, which indicates a healthy movement offering reliable vintage performance. Dial and Hands The striking silver dial features a subtle vertical brushing that catches the light beautifully, providing a dynamic backdrop for the bold, faceted rectangular hour markers. At nine o'clock, the signature Rado anchor logo sits proudly, adding a touch of classic Rado character. The day and date window at three o'clock offers excellent everyday utility with its contrasting red date and black day display. The original hands are handsomely preserved, showing gentle and honest aging that perfectly complements the vintage aesthetic of the watch. Case and Crystal The robust stainless steel case is a marvel of mid-century watch design, featuring a substantial square profile with sharp, commanding lines that echo the towering skyscrapers of Manhattan. The case exhibits normal, honest wear consistent with its age, maintaining its strong architectural geometry without heavy polishing. The original Rado signed crown, adorned with the iconic anchor, is present and easily operable. The crystal is clean and offers an unobstructed view of the dial, enhancing the bold presence of the piece. The caseback displays the deeply engraved Rado seahorse logo and Water Sealed text, remaining crisp and highly legible. Movement Inside beats a reliable mechanical movement, renowned for its robustness and steady performance. The movement powers the time, day, and date functions smoothly. Timegrapher results show the watch running at -21 to -25 seconds per day, which indicates a healthy movement offering reliable vintage performance for the modern collector. Strap The watch is paired with a sophisticated blue leather strap featuring a crocodile grain texture and matching blue contrast stitching. The strap perfectly complements the cool tones of the stainless steel case and silver dial, ensuring a comfortable and highly stylish presence on the wrist. Condition This watch is presented in good vintage condition. It shows normal vintage wear with visible but moderate scratches and light marks on the case, fully consistent with its age and honest use. The dial and hands present a very pleasing and even aging. The case remains well-defined and highly attractive. With timegrapher readings of -21 to -25 seconds per day, the mechanical movement demonstrates healthy performance, making it a wonderful and dependable addition to any vintage collection. Dimensions Case Size: 34 mm (excluding the crown) Remarks This Rado Manhattan is a superb example of bold 1970s watchmaking, offering a commanding wrist presence that feels uniquely retro yet remarkably contemporary. Its geometric charm, combined with the iconic Rado branding and practical day-date complication, makes it a highly versatile and conversation-starting timepiece. History Rado has long been celebrated for its avant-garde approach to watch design and its pioneering use of unconventional case shapes and materials. Introduced in the 1960s, the Manhattan model was a dramatic departure from traditional round watches, drawing inspiration from the towering skyline and modern architecture of New York City. The robust, oversized rectangular cases were engineered to be highly capable, a significant technical achievement for a non-round watch at the time. Today, the Rado Manhattan stands as a celebrated icon of space-age era design, beloved by collectors for its unapologetic boldness and distinctive character. / Second Vintage SKU: RADWITB0R0000