Rado World Travel (1960-1969)

Available now on auction by Second Vintage This Rado World Travel is a striking example of mid-century Swiss design, featuring a mesmerizing concentric guilloché dial texture that immediately catches the eye. Powered by a high-jewel count automatic movement and featuring the iconic "Water Sealed" seahorse caseback, this timepiece represents a golden era of Rado manufacturing. The combination of the unique dial finish, the rotating anchor logo, and the distinct case lines makes this a highly collectible piece for enthusiasts of character-rich vintage watches. Brand: Rado Model: World Travel Movement: Automatic A. Schild Caliber 1701 Dial: Champagne gold with concentric guilloché texture Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Gold Plated with Stainless Steel Caseback Production Year: c. 1960s Condition: Good vintage condition. The dial is exceptionally preserved, while the case shows honest signs of age and plating wear. Timegrapher results indicate the movement is functioning. Dial and Hands The dial is the standout feature of this timepiece, presenting a champagne gold tone with a stunning concentric circle guilloché texture that radiates from the center. It features applied gold-tone baton hour markers and the signature rotating Rado anchor logo at the 12 o'clock position, set against a purple background. A trapezoidal date window is positioned at 3 o'clock, displaying a distinct red date numeral. The gold-tone Dauphine hands are sharp and complement the overall aesthetic perfectly. Case and Crystal The 35mm case is gold plated, featuring elegant, slightly twisted lugs that give the watch a sophisticated profile. The case shows signs of vintage wear, particularly plating wear on the high edges and around the lugs, consistent with its age. The crown is original and signed with the Rado anchor symbol. The stainless steel caseback is deeply embossed with the iconic "Water Sealed" logo featuring three seahorses, a hallmark of Rado's water-resistant models from this era, alongside visible patent numbers. Movement Inside beats a reliable A. Schild caliber 1701 automatic movement. This high-grade variation features 30 jewels, as proudly signed on the rotor, offering robust timekeeping capabilities. The movement appears clean and the rotor swings freely. Timegrapher testing shows the watch running between +26 and +29 seconds per day, which indicates reliable movement health and is running within vintage tolerances. Strap The watch is fitted with a vintage brown leather strap featuring a crocodile grain pattern and contrasting stitching. The strap shows signs of wear and age, adding to the authentic vintage character of the piece, and is finished with a gold-tone buckle. Condition This timepiece is in good vintage condition. The dial remains in excellent preservation with crisp printing and no significant blemishes. The case shows visible patina and brassing where the gold plating has thinned over decades of wear, giving it an honest, lived-in appeal. The crystal is clear with only minor handling marks. The movement is functioning well with a strong amplitude. Dimensions Case diameter: 35mm Lug to lug length: approx. 42mm Lug width: 18mm Remarks The Rado World Travel is celebrated for its robust build and unique design elements. This specific example, with its 30-jewel movement and rare concentric dial texture, is a step above the standard models often found on the market. History Rado, founded in 1917 as Schlup & Co., began selling watches under the Rado brand in the 1950s. The "World Travel" line was introduced during the jet-age of the 1960s, marketed towards the globetrotting professional. Rado became famous for their obsession with durability and water resistance, evidenced by the elaborate "Seahorse" caseback design used on their waterproof models during this period. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD1GR5VN7000