Rado - Purple Horse - No reserve price - 11794 - Men - 1970-1979

Presented for auction by Second Vintage The Rado Purple Horse stands as a testament to the brand's mid-century design prowess and robust engineering. Characterized by its distinctive branding, including the iconic rotating anchor and the twin seahorse emblem, this timepiece offers a compelling blend of elegant aesthetics and durable construction. This particular example showcases a beautifully aged silver sunburst dial and retains its original signed components, making it a captivating find for enthusiasts of character-rich vintage Swiss watchmaking. Brand: Rado Model: Purple Horse Reference Number: 11794 Serial Number: 13311256 Movement: Swiss automatic ETA caliber 2783, 25 jewels Dial: Silver sunburst dial displaying an even stardust patina and fine spotting, with applied faceted indices and a red date display Case Size: 37 mm Case Material: Stainless steel Production Year: 1970s Condition: Good vintage condition with attractive age-consistent dial patina Dial and Hands The dial presents a striking silver sunburst finish that has gracefully aged to exhibit a uniform stardust patina, with fine, even spotting visible across the entire surface. This natural aging adds immense vintage character without detracting from the legibility of the crisp, serif Rado typography or the elegant italicized Purple Horse text. The dial features applied, faceted baton indices with prominent black center stripes and luminous plots positioned neatly at their outer edges. At the twelve o'clock position, the signature applied Rado anchor logo sits against a vibrant purple background, while the iconic red twin seahorse emblem is proudly displayed just above six o'clock. A framed date aperture at three o'clock reveals a striking red numeral date wheel. The hands match the indices perfectly, featuring black central stripes and luminous material that has darkened naturally over time. Case and Crystal The 37 millimeter stainless steel case maintains a strong, robust profile with nicely defined lugs. The top surfaces of the case feature a brushed finish that transitions smoothly into polished case flanks, showing honest signs of wear, surface scratches, and minor handling marks consistent with its vintage nature. The original Rado signed crown, adorned with the prominent anchor motif, operates cleanly at the three o'clock position. The screw-down caseback is beautifully preserved, featuring the deeply embossed Rado Water-Sealed medallion with three seahorses, alongside clearly legible reference and serial number engravings. A domed acrylic crystal protects the dial, complete with an integrated magnification lens positioned internally over the date window, showing only light superficial wear. Movement Inside the watch beats a Rado signed Swiss automatic movement, identifiable by the caliber 2783 stamped beneath the balance wheel. The movement features 25 jewels and is distinguished by its heavy gold-tone rotor, which bears crisp Rado Swiss engravings. The mechanical components present beautifully in the macro photography, displaying clean plates, blued screws, and an active balance wheel. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece. The timegrapher results indicate a performance of +12 to +16 seconds per day with strong amplitude. Strap The watch is fitted with a handsome black leather strap featuring pronounced contrast stitching in a rich orange tone, secured by a classic stainless steel pin buckle. Condition This timepiece is presented in good vintage condition. The case remains structurally sharp while showing expected, honest wear marks and light scratches throughout the polished and brushed surfaces. The dial exhibits a distinct, even stardust patina and spotting that collectors of vintage Rado often appreciate for its unique visual texture and uncompromising originality. The hands and indices remain in excellent shape, and the deeply embossed caseback medallion is remarkably crisp and well-defined. Dimensions The stainless steel case measures 37 millimeters in diameter, excluding the signed crown. The lug profile provides a substantial yet comfortable presence on the wrist, accommodating standard vintage strap dimensions beautifully. Remarks This Rado Purple Horse is an excellent representation of mid-century Swiss design, combining robust everyday wearability with unique aesthetic signatures like the red date numerals and the iconic rotating anchor. The naturally patinated dial ensures that this specific piece carries a completely unique visual identity, making it a standout addition to any vintage collection. History Founded in Lengnau, Switzerland in 1917 as Schlup & Co., the company eventually rebranded to Rado in the 1950s, launching a legacy of innovative design and robust watchmaking. The Horse collection, including the Green, Golden, and Purple Horse lines, became a cornerstone of Rado's catalog in the mid-twentieth century. These models were celebrated for their water-resistant cases and reliable automatic movements, quickly establishing Rado as a prominent player in the global market. The Purple Horse remains a beloved classic, recognized instantly by its charming seahorse emblems and the brand's pioneering approach to distinctive dial furniture. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-RPH-0002