Rado - Automatic - No reserve price - Men - 1960-1969

Now available at auction from Second Vintage This is a remarkable example of Rado's mid-century watchmaking excellence, featuring the highly desirable "Water-Sealed" case construction and a high-grade 30-jewel automatic movement. Distinguished by its iconic rotating anchor logo and the celebrated Seahorse medallion on the caseback, this timepiece represents the golden era of Swiss mechanical innovation. With its crisp silver sunburst dial and robust stainless steel architecture, it offers both historic charm and reliable daily wearability for the discerning collector. Brand: Rado Movement: Automatic Caliber AS 1789 Dial: Silver Sunburst Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: c. 1960s Condition: Excellent vintage condition, showing very fine preservation with sharp case lines and a clean dial. Timegrapher results indicate performance of +8 to +10 seconds per day with strong amplitude, which indicates a healthy movement. Dial and Hands The dial features a sophisticated silver sunburst finish that plays beautifully with the light. It is adorned with the brand's signature rotating anchor logo at the 12 o'clock position, a hallmark of vintage Rado automatic watches. The applied silver baton indices are faceted to catch the light, complemented by sharp dauphine-style hands with dark center inlays for legibility. A date window is positioned at 3 o'clock, featuring distinct red numerals which add a subtle pop of color to the monochromatic aesthetic. The text remains crisp and legible, proudly displaying "30 Jewels" above the 6 o'clock position. Case and Crystal The stainless steel case measures a classic 36mm and features straight, angular lugs that give the watch a strong presence on the wrist. The case retains its original factory definition with sharp edges and polished surfaces. The crown is original and signed with the Rado anchor symbol. The caseback is a highlight of this model, featuring the deep relief "Water-Sealed" Seahorse medallion, a testament to Rado's waterproofing technology of the era. The bayonet-style caseback locking mechanism is a unique technical detail specific to this period of Rado production. The acrylic crystal is clear and free of distracting marks. Movement Powering this timepiece is the robust A. Schild caliber 1789 automatic movement. This high-grade mechanism features an impressive 30 jewels, significantly higher than the standard 17 or 21 jewels common in this era, ensuring reduced friction and longevity. The rotor is gold-plated and engraved with the Rado logo. The movement is offering reliable vintage performance. Strap The watch is fitted with a new, high-quality black leather strap with an alligator grain pattern and matching black stitching. It secures with a stainless steel buckle and complements the dressy nature of the silver dial perfectly. Condition This timepiece is in excellent vintage condition. The dial is exceptionally clean with no visible spotting or heavy patina. The case shows only minor handling marks consistent with careful use over the decades, retaining its original geometry without signs of over-polishing. The movement is clean and running strong, making this a collector-grade example ready for wear. Dimensions With a diameter of 36mm excluding the crown, the watch sits comfortably on the wrist in a manner typical of classic 1960s dress watches. The lug-to-lug length ensures it fits a variety of wrist sizes while sliding easily under a shirt cuff. Remarks This Rado 30 Jewels Automatic serves as a perfect entry point into quirky and technically interesting vintage Swiss horology. The combination of the high-jewel movement, the rotating anchor feature, and the "Water-Sealed" case design showcases Rado's commitment to engineering differentiation long before they became known for high-tech ceramics. It is a stylish, conversation-starting piece that offers tremendous value and history. History Rado, originally founded as Schlup & Co. in 1917, began selling watches under the Rado brand name in the 1950s. The 1960s marked a period of rapid expansion and technical creativity for the brand, introducing the rotating anchor symbol to indicate when a watch needed service (if the anchor stopped spinning, the oils were dry). This specific era solidified Rado's reputation for robust, water-resistant designs in Asia and the Middle East, paving the way for their future status as a master of materials. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-RJX-0006