Rado - Musketeer VII - No reserve price - 11930 - Men - 1970-1979

Presented for auction by Second Vintage This Rado Musketeer VII is a remarkable example of 1970s Swiss design, combining a bold architectural case shape with the brand's signature engineering eccentricities. Featuring the iconic rotating anchor logo and a distinctive "TV screen" silhouette, this timepiece captures the retro-futuristic aesthetic that makes vintage Rado highly collectible. The vertically brushed silver dial and substantial presence on the wrist make this Musketeer VII a standout dress watch that balances vintage charm with robust steel construction. Brand: Rado Model: Musketeer VII Reference Number: 11930 Serial Number: 39721742 Movement: Automatic ETA Caliber 2798 Dial: Silver vertically brushed with day and date Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: c. 1970s Condition: Stunning vintage condition. The watch presents with sharp case lines and a pristine dial, while timegrapher testing indicates a rate of approximately -55 to -61 seconds per day, which indicates a running movement offering vintage performance. Dial and Hands The silver dial features a sophisticated vertical brushing texture that plays beautifully with the light and complements the case finishing. It is adorned with applied block indices featuring black inlays and luminous plots on the outer track. The signature Rado anchor logo at 12 o'clock sits on a red ruby-like background and rotates freely, a beloved quirky feature of the brand's automatic models. A framed day-date window is positioned at 3 o'clock, displaying the day of the week in full text. The baton-style hands are polished with black centers and luminous inserts, remaining in excellent condition with no visible corrosion. Case and Crystal The stainless steel case is designed in a cushion or "TV screen" shape, typical of the adventurous 1970s era. The top surface of the bezel features heavy vertical brushing that remains crisp and well-defined, transitioning sharply to polished high-profile sides. The case edges are sharp, indicating the watch has seen minimal polishing or wear over the decades. The crown is signed with the Rado anchor logo. The screw-down caseback features the famous Rado "Water Sealed" tri-seahorse medallion, which is deeply embossed and clearly legible. Movement Powering this timepiece is a gold-plated automatic movement, based on the reliable ETA 2798 caliber. The rotor is decorated with a honeycomb texture and signed "Rado 25 Jewels." This mechanism features a day and date complication and beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour. The movement appears visually clean and free of oxidation. Strap The watch is fitted with a new black leather strap featuring contrasting white stitching, which complements the black accents on the dial markers and hands. It is secured by a classic stainless steel pin buckle. Condition This timepiece is in stunning vintage condition. The dial is exceptionally well-preserved with no visible staining or patina spots. The case retains its original factory geometry with strong brushing on the upper surfaces and only very minor micro-scratches on the polished sides consistent with careful handling. The crystal is clear and free of deep scratches. Dimensions The case measures 35 mm in width excluding the crown, but due to the square case shape and substantial lug design, it wears larger on the wrist, offering a contemporary presence. Remarks The Musketeer VII is a specific and somewhat rarer iteration within the Musketeer line, distinguished by its specific case architecture and dial layout. Finding one with such a clean dial and sharp case definition is becoming increasingly difficult for collectors. History Rado was founded in 1917 as Schlup & Co. and began selling watches under the Rado brand name in the 1950s. By the 1970s, when this Musketeer VII was produced, Rado had established itself as a pioneer in materials and avant-garde design. The Musketeer line sat alongside the famous Horse series, offering robust automatic watches that prioritized water resistance and distinctive styling. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-RMX-0016