Rado - Silver Sabre - No reserve price - Caliber ETA 2798 - Men - 1970-1979

Available now on auction by Second Vintage This Rado Silver Sabre is a striking example of 1970s Swiss design, combining architectural case lines with the brand's signature flair for unique crystals and dial furniture. With its prismatic crystal and robust stainless steel construction, this timepiece offers a distinctive presence on the wrist that captures the funk and innovation of the era. A true conversation piece, it represents Rado's commitment to unconventional aesthetics and reliable mechanical engineering. Brand: Rado Model: Silver Sabre Movement: Automatic Caliber ETA 2798 Dial: Silver sunburst with rotating anchor logo Case Size: 34 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless steel Production Year: c. 1970s Condition: Good vintage condition. The watch shows honest signs of wear consistent with its age, while the dial remains well-preserved and the movement is performing well. Dial and Hands The silver dial features a vertical brushed texture that interacts beautifully with the light, anchored by Rado's iconic rotating red anchor logo at the 12 o'clock position. Thick, applied block indices with black accents provide excellent legibility and depth. A prominent day-date window is positioned at 3 o'clock, framed in metal to match the hands and markers. The baton-style hands are original, showing mild aging to the luminous inserts, which matches the tone of the tritium plots on the dial. The dial surface itself is clean, free from significant staining or damage. Case and Crystal The stainless steel case features a distinctive cushion shape with integrated lugs, typical of the 1970s design language. The case surfaces show visible scratches, dings, and scuffs throughout, particularly on the bezel and polished sides, which is expected for a watch of this vintage that has been enjoyed. The crystal is a standout feature, boasting a faceted, prismatic cut that creates unique distortions and reflections of the dial beneath. The crystal shows some scratches and edge wear but remains clear enough to enjoy the dial's details. Movement Powering the watch is a gold-plated Rado-signed automatic movement, based on the reliable ETA caliber 2798. The movement features 25 jewels and is clean in appearance. It is currently running within vintage tolerances, with timegrapher results showing a rate of -5s to -12s per day, indicating reliable vintage performance for a mechanical watch of this age. Strap The watch is fitted with its original stainless steel link bracelet, featuring a signed Rado clasp. The bracelet design integrates seamlessly with the case, tapering towards the buckle. It exhibits surface wear and scratches consistent with the case condition and retains a moderate amount of flex. The bracelet will fit a wrist size of approximately 17.5cm. Condition This timepiece is in good vintage condition. While the case and bracelet show clear cosmetic wear in the form of surface scratches and nicks, the structural integrity of the watch is intact. The dial is the highlight, remaining attractive and largely free of defects. The movement is functioning well, making this a wearable piece of history despite its cosmetic battle scars. Dimensions The case measures 34 mm in width excluding the crown, but wears slightly larger due to the cushion case shape and integrated bracelet design. The substantial thickness of the faceted crystal adds to the wrist presence. Remarks The Rado Silver Sabre stands out for its specific combination of a vertical brushed dial and the intricate faceted crystal, a hallmark of Rado's vintage catalog. The rotating anchor logo is a beloved quirk of these watches, spinning freely as the wearer moves. This particular example offers an honest, unrestored charm that appeals to collectors who appreciate watches that have lived a life. History Rado has long been a pioneer in the use of hard materials and scratch-resistant designs, establishing itself as a forward-thinking brand in the mid-20th century. The Silver Sabre hails from a golden era of experimentation where Rado played with geometric case shapes and prismatic crystals to differentiate themselves from more traditional Swiss manufactures. Models like the Sabre were designed to be robust daily wearers that offered a futuristic look, a philosophy that continues to define the brand today. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-RSS-0003