Rado Golden Horse 11817 (1970-1979)

Now available at auction from Second Vintage A quintessential vintage Rado with signature design elements, this 1970s Golden Horse presents the rotating anchor logo and twin seahorse dial emblem that define the brand's mid-century aesthetic. Featuring a well-preserved silver sunburst dial, it offers a distinctive entry into vintage collecting. Brand: Rado Model: Golden Horse Reference Number: 11817 Serial Number: 4221812 Movement: Automatic, Caliber AS 1859, 25 Jewels Dial: Silver sunburst with applied gold-tone indices and rotating anchor logo Case Size: 35mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Gold-tone, stainless steel caseback Production Year: 1970s Condition: Good vintage condition. Timegrapher: +50+55s/day, running in operational condition. Dial and Hands This clean and highly attractive vintage dial features a well-preserved silver sunburst finish. Applied gold-tone indices and logos remain intact, complemented by the signature rotating anchor logo at 12 o'clock and the twin seahorse emblem. Under magnification, minor dust or microscopic spotting is visible. The original gold-tone dauphine hands show visible, age-appropriate oxidation and spotting, with their surface finish slightly dulled from age. A vertical day-date display is positioned at 6 o'clock, featuring an English day wheel. Case and Crystal The gold-tone cushion-shaped case retains its generally defined geometry, showing honest wear with visible plating degradation typical of age. Moderate scratches and handling wear are present, along with visible plating loss and tarnish on the lug edges and case flanks. The smooth gold-tone bezel displays scratches and minor plating wear consistent with the rest of the case. The crown, signed with the Rado anchor logo, shows moderate wear and plating loss on the knurling. The stainless steel caseback features a crisp seahorse medallion engraving. A domed acrylic crystal protects the dial, remaining clear with no major scratches, cracks, or crazing visible. Movement The watch is powered by a gold-plated 25-jewel automatic movement, with the base Caliber AS 1859 visible under the balance wheel. The movement features crisp engravings reading RADO, 25 JEWELS, and SWISS. The visible winding rotor shows some surface scratches and minor spotting. +50+55s/day. Running in operational condition. Maintains the authentic mechanical character of the watch. Strap The watch is fitted with a high-quality black leather strap featuring contrast stitching. It appears to be in near-new condition with minimal wear. Condition Good vintage condition. The silver sunburst dial is highly attractive and well-preserved, showing only minor dust or microscopic spotting under magnification, while the original dauphine hands display age-appropriate oxidation. The gold-tone case retains its general geometry but exhibits honest wear typical of its age, including moderate scratches, visible plating loss, and tarnish on the lug edges, flanks, and signed crown. The domed acrylic crystal is clear. Dimensions The case measures 35mm in diameter, excluding the crown. Remarks This Golden Horse is notable for its well-preserved silver sunburst dial, signature rotating anchor, and crisp stainless steel caseback medallion. It is a distinctive vintage Rado with honest character and strong mid-century design appeal. History The Golden Horse collection was introduced in 1957 to celebrate Rado's 40th anniversary, becoming a popular choice among collectors for its distinctive branding. Reference 11817 is characterized by its cushion-shaped case and vertical day-date window positioned at 6 o'clock. Powered by the reliable Swiss automatic Caliber AS 1859, this model represents the accessible and distinctive design language that defined mid-century Rado production. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-GHX-0030