Rado - Balboa - No reserve price - 74020404 - Men - 1970-1979

Now available at auction from Second Vintage A quintessential example of Rado's avant-garde 1970s design, this sought-after Balboa commands attention with its striking brown gradient fumé dial and distinctive faceted hardmetal case. Highly preserved with incredibly crisp geometry, it represents a bold era of horological innovation. Brand: Rado Model: Balboa Reference Number: 74020404 Movement: Automatic ETA 2783 Dial: Brown gradient (fumé) with rotating anchor logo and applied faceted indices Case Size: 35mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Hardmetal / Stainless Steel Production Year: 1970s Condition: Good vintage condition. Timegrapher: -55-60s/day, running in operational condition. Dial and Hands The striking brown gradient fumé dial is in excellent condition, serving as a vibrant and flawless backdrop from the 1970s. It features applied faceted indices with white centers that remain clean and intact, alongside the rotating Rado anchor logo at 12 o'clock and a red date display at 3 o'clock. The dial shows no visible spotting, staining, or moisture damage. The gold-tone hour and minute hands feature white central stripes, complemented by a white sweep center seconds hand. These original hands show honest, minor age-related wear and oxidation visible under magnification. Case and Crystal The highly preserved, scratch-resistant case is defined by its sharp geometry and distinctive faceted hardmetal (tungsten carbide) top, which remains in excellent condition with minimal visible wear. The case edges and facets are extremely crisp, integrating the bezel into the faceted design. The stainless steel screw-down caseback shows moderate surface scratches consistent with use. A thick faceted crystal sits above the dial in excellent condition, with no significant scratches, chips, or crazing visible. The crown is signed with the Rado anchor logo and shows minor surface wear while retaining clear definition. Movement Inside is a gold-tone ETA caliber 2783 automatic movement. The rotor is signed RADO 25 JEWELS, and the movement features 2783 and 2797 engravings. It appears generally clean with minor surface marks and light wear on the rotor edge. Timegrapher results indicate -55-60s/day. Running in operational condition. Maintains the authentic mechanical character of the watch. Strap The watch is fitted with its original signed two-tone folded link bracelet. The clasp is clearly signed with the Rado anchor and text. The bracelet shows moderate stretch and surface wear, with noticeable plating loss on the gold-tone center links that adds to its vintage character. It accommodates a maximum wrist size of 17.5cm. Condition Good vintage condition. The scratch-resistant hardmetal case top is exceptionally preserved with sharp facets, while the steel caseback and original signed bracelet display moderate wear alongside visible fading to the gold-tone links. The brown gradient dial remains pristine, though the hands show minor oxidation under magnification. The movement is running in operational condition. Dimensions The case measures 35mm (excluding the crown). Remarks This Balboa is notable for its vibrant brown gradient dial and highly preserved faceted hardmetal case. Complete with its original signed bracelet and distinctive faceted crystal, it is a striking collector's watch that highlights Rado's innovative approach to design. History During the 1970s, Rado established a strong reputation for producing highly durable and visually striking watches through the innovative use of hardmetal cases and faceted crystals. The Balboa line is highly representative of this avant-garde era, pairing scratch-resistant materials with vibrant dials. These watches were designed to maintain their sharp appearance over decades of wear, and well-preserved examples remain sought-after by collectors who appreciate bold, unconventional 1970s design. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-BBX-0001