Rado - Companion - No reserve price - 1213290 - Men - 1970-1979

Presented for auction by Second Vintage This Rado Companion perfectly encapsulates the bold and expressive design language of the 1970s. Featuring a substantial tonneau-shaped case and a striking two-tone aesthetic, the watch is immediately recognizable on the wrist. What truly elevates this particular model is its brilliantly preserved champagne sunburst dial, which showcases a distinctive vertical day-date configuration at the six o'clock position and Rado’s signature freely rotating anchor logo. It is a robust, highly characterful vintage timepiece that offers tremendous mechanical value alongside undeniable retro charm. Brand: Rado Model: Companion Reference Number: 1213290 Serial Number: 1213290 Movement: ETA 2798 Automatic, 25 Jewels (+10 to +12 s/d) Dial: Exceptionally clean gold sunburst dial with applied faceted indices and vertical day-date, free of visible staining or damage Case Size: 39 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel with Gold-Tone Bezel Production Year: 1970s Condition: Good vintage condition with honest wear to the case plating and a highly preserved dial Dial and Hands The dial of this Companion is a masterclass in 1970s layout and texture, executing a brilliant gold sunburst finish that catches the light dynamically from every angle. It features applied faceted baton indices, each precisely detailed with a central black stripe that perfectly matches the styling of the gold-tone baton hands. At the twelve o'clock position sits Rado’s iconic kinetic anchor logo set against a ruby-red disc, rotating freely with the motion of the wearer. The three o'clock position bears the applied Rado text and printed "Companion" signature in a crisp sans-serif typeface. The focal point is the vertical day-date aperture at six o'clock, framed by a prominent gold-tone border, featuring a white day wheel and a black date wheel for excellent contrast. Crucially, the dial is remarkably well-preserved, remaining entirely free of moisture marks, spotting, or surface degradation, presenting a pristine and highly attractive face. Case and Crystal The 39mm stainless steel tonneau case delivers a substantial wrist presence, topped with a broad, sloping gold-tone bezel. The case flanks retain polished surfaces, transitioning to a screw-down stainless steel caseback cleanly engraved with the classic Rado seahorse motif, anchor emblem, and the 1213290 reference number. The original Rado-signed crown, complete with its own anchor logo, sits flush against the case. Close inspection reveals honest, clear signs of vintage wear; the gold-tone bezel exhibits surface scratches, softened edges, and noticeable plating loss, particularly along the outer perimeters between the four and five o'clock and nine o'clock positions. The watch is fitted with a domed crystal that remains clear and unobstructed, protecting the dial perfectly while allowing for clear legibility. Movement Powering this timepiece is the robust ETA caliber 2798 automatic movement. The movement has been customized by Rado, most notably featuring a striking gold-tone rotor decorated with an intricate engine-turned texture and clearly stamped with the Rado signature and "25 Jewels." Visual inspection confirms the movement is clean and structurally sound, with the 2798 caliber stamp and the number 403 clearly visible on the baseplate beneath the balance wheel. Running and operational, offering reliable vintage performance, timegrapher results indicate an accuracy of +10 to +12 seconds per day with strong amplitude. Strap The watch is fitted to its original two-tone stainless steel multi-link bracelet, confirmed by the authentic Rado anchor logo and brand typography deeply stamped into the fold-over clasp. Consistent with the case bezel, the bracelet displays honest vintage wear, including moderate stretch between the links and visible areas of plating loss on the gold-tone center sections. The bracelet is sized to accommodate a wrist up to 17.5 cm. Condition This watch is presented in good vintage condition. The dial and hands are the clear highlights, boasting stunning preservation with no visible flaws or aging to the sunburst finish. Conversely, the case, bezel, and bracelet tell the story of a watch that was actively worn and enjoyed, showing clear surface scratches and noticeable plating loss to the gold-tone elements. The stainless steel caseback engravings remain highly legible, and the movement is clean and running with very healthy metrics. Dimensions Case Size: 39 mm (excluding the crown) Wrist Size: 17.5 cm Remarks This Rado Companion stands out as a highly wearable piece of vintage horology with a dial that punches far above its weight class. The wear to the gold-plated surfaces provides an honest, lived-in aesthetic, meaning this is a watch you can strap on and enjoy daily without hesitation. The distinctive vertical day-date layout and the mesmerizing action of the spinning anchor make it an excellent conversation piece for any vintage enthusiast. History Founded in Lengnau, Switzerland in 1917 as Schlup & Co., the company officially adopted the Rado name in the 1950s and quickly built a reputation for pioneering design and durability. By the 1970s, Rado was leaning heavily into avant-garde aesthetics, characterized by oversized cases, dynamic dials, and unconventional calendar layouts. The Companion model emerged during this highly creative era, incorporating the brand’s signature spinning anchor, originally intended to indicate when the movement required servicing by eventually stopping its rotation, which has since become one of the most beloved quirks in vintage watch collecting. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-RCX-0011