Rado - Green Horse - No reserve price - 11657 - Men - 1960-1969

Presented for auction by Second Vintage This Rado Green Horse is a captivating example of mid-century Swiss watchmaking, offering a distinctive aesthetic that collectors appreciate. The watch features the iconic rotating anchor logo and the signature twin seahorses, symbols of Rado's robust engineering and distinctive design language. The dial exhibits a dramatic, spider-webbed patina that tells a unique story of its journey through time, making it a truly one-of-a-kind piece for the discerning vintage enthusiast. Brand: Rado Model: Green Horse Reference Number: 11657 Movement: Automatic, Caliber 1700/01, 41 Jewels Dial: Silver sunburst with heavy spidering patina, applied indices, rotating anchor, green seahorse logo, and date window Case Size: 34.5 mm Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1960s Condition: Good vintage condition with striking, unique dial patina Dial and Hands The dial of this Rado Green Horse is its most defining feature, showcasing a remarkable and intense "spider" patina. The surface is covered in a network of fine, crystalline-like cracks, creating a highly textured and dramatic appearance. Beneath this aging, the original silver sunburst finish is still visible. The dial features applied, faceted, arrow-style hour markers that catch the light beautifully. At 12 o'clock sits the signature Rado rotating anchor logo set against a purple background, a playful and recognizable hallmark of the brand. Above the 6 o'clock position, the twin green seahorses are prominently displayed, alongside the "Green Horse" script. A framed date window is located at 3 o'clock, displaying red numerals. The original dauphine hands show some oxidation and aging consistent with the rest of the dial, while the sweep seconds hand remains intact. The dial exhibits significant spotting and organic aging throughout, adding to its unique vintage character. Case and Crystal The 34.5mm stainless steel case presents in good vintage condition, retaining strong lines and its classic mid-century profile. The lugs are thick and relatively sharp, showing honest signs of wear, including light scratches and minor scuffs consistent with its age. The smooth bezel also exhibits typical surface wear. The watch is fitted with a domed acrylic crystal that shows some light crazing and surface scratches, which slightly obscure the dial at certain angles but are typical for vintage acrylic. The caseback features the deeply engraved Rado twin seahorse logo, along with the "Water-Sealed" text and the reference number 11657 clearly legible. The original Rado signed crown, marked with an "R," is present and functional. Movement Powering this Green Horse is the impressive Rado signed automatic Caliber 1700/01 movement, notable for its high jewel count of 41 jewels. The movement features a gold-tone rotor engraved with the Rado anchor logo and "41 JEWELS." The underlying bridges are rhodium-plated. Close inspection reveals some signs of age and oxidation on the rotor and movement components, as well as some verdigris around the inner case edge, which is common in watches of this vintage. The caliber markings "1700/01" are clearly visible beneath the balance wheel. Strap The watch is currently mounted on a handsome, dark burgundy leather strap with a crocodile-grain pattern. The strap is secured with a standard stainless steel pin buckle and complements the vintage aesthetic of the watch perfectly. Condition This Rado Green Horse is in good vintage condition. The case remains strong with typical wear for its age. The standout feature is the dial, which displays a heavy, spider-webbed patina and spotting that will appeal to collectors who appreciate unique, organic aging. The acrylic crystal shows some crazing, and the movement exhibits signs of oxidation and verdigris typical of its era. Dimensions Case Size: 34.5 mm (excluding the crown) Remarks This Rado Green Horse is a fantastic opportunity to acquire a watch with undeniable character. The 41-jewel movement is a testament to Rado's engineering ambitions of the era, while the dramatic patina makes this specific example entirely unique. History Rado, founded in 1917 as Schlup & Co., initially produced watch movements before launching its own brand in the 1950s. The "Horse" collections, introduced in the late 1950s and 1960s, were instrumental in establishing Rado's reputation for water-resistant, durable, and stylish automatic watches. The Green Horse, along with the Purple and Golden Horse models, became incredibly popular, especially in Asian markets. These models are beloved for their distinctive design elements, most notably the rotating anchor logo—originally intended to indicate when the watch needed servicing—and the twin seahorse casebacks, symbolizing water resistance. The high jewel counts often found in these models, like the 41 jewels in this example, highlighted Rado's commitment to mechanical excellence during this competitive era of watchmaking. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-RGH-0006