Rado - Purple Sabre - No reserve price - 43320669 - Men - 1970-1979

Now available at auction from Second Vintage A distinctive and less commonly seen variant from Rado's colorful 1970s lineup, this Purple Sabre is a sought-after configuration among brand enthusiasts. The striking crossed sabres dial logo and chunky cushion case geometry perfectly highlight the bold design language of the era. Brand: Rado Model: Purple Sabre Reference Number: 43320669 Movement: Automatic ETA caliber 2789, 25 jewels Dial: Silver sunburst with applied faceted indices, red accents, and crossed sabres logo Case Size: 36mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1970s Condition: Good vintage condition. Timegrapher: -50-53s/day, running in operational condition. Dial and Hands The striking silver sunburst dial is preserved in excellent condition, featuring distinctive branding that makes this model a collector favourite. Applied faceted indices feature subtle red accents that complement the applied Rado anchor logo and crisp printed Purple Sabre text with the crossed sabres motif. The day and date windows at three o'clock are clean. Under macro inspection, minor dust particles are visible. The original baton-style hour and minute hands retain their luminous material and red stripes, showing expected age-related oxidation and aging on their metal surfaces. The sweep second hand also displays some visible tarnish. Case and Crystal The chunky stainless steel cushion-shaped case presents honest vintage wear while preserving its overall geometry. The brushed top surfaces transition to polished flanks, framing the domed acrylic crystal directly without a separate bezel. Moderate scratches and scuffs are visible throughout, consistent with age and use, alongside some minor dings on the case edges. The fluted Rado anchor signed crown shows moderate wear. The domed acrylic crystal exhibits light surface scratches and scuffs visible in reflections, though no major cracks or chips are observed. The caseback shows typical surface wear while retaining clear engravings. Movement Inside the case beats the reliable ETA caliber 2789 automatic movement, stamped with the caliber number on the base plate. The movement is visually clean, featuring a gold-tone rotor with Rado branding and 25 jewels, alongside some minor signs of handling or age-related tarnish. Timegrapher: -50-53s/day. Running in operational condition. Maintains the authentic mechanical character of the watch. Strap The watch is fitted with a complementary black leather strap featuring an alligator grain pattern and white contrast stitching. The strap shows light wear and creasing from use. Condition Good vintage condition. The watch presents an honest character with moderate scratches, scuffs, and minor dings on the stainless steel case edges. The silver sunburst dial is excellent, though minor dust particles are present under close inspection. The original hands display expected oxidation and tarnish. The domed acrylic crystal has light surface scratches. The movement is visually clean with minor age-related tarnish, and is running in operational condition. Dimensions The case measures 36mm (excluding the crown). Remarks This Purple Sabre offers a highly distinctive configuration from a creative period in watchmaking. The crisp crossed sabres logo, robust cushion case, and reliable ETA caliber make this a fascinating and wearable addition for enthusiasts of bold 1970s design. History During the 1970s, Rado embraced avant-garde case shapes, vibrant dials, and evocative model names to stand out in a rapidly changing watch market. The Purple Sabre belongs to a colorful family of timepieces that utilized reliable Swiss automatic movements housed in robust, unconventional cases. The ETA caliber 2789 introduced during this period was highly regarded for its quickset day and date functionality, becoming a dependable engine for many of the brand's most memorable designs. Today, specific variants like the Purple Sabre are celebrated for their unique aesthetic signatures and robust vintage charm. Payment and Shipping Payment must be completed within 1–3 days after purchase. Your watch will be professionally and securely packaged, then shipped with tracking and insurance for your peace of mind. We use fast express shipping, with typical delivery within 1–4 business days, depending on the destination. Please note that vintage watches may show minor signs of wear, aging, or imperfections, which are considered normal for watches of this age. We kindly ask you to review all photos carefully before bidding. We photograph each watch from multiple angles to provide the most accurate representation possible, and the photos form an important part of the description. The timegrapher assessment if provided is seen as an indication of the movement’s condition under fully wound testing conditions. As with all vintage watches, results may vary in daily use. If you have any concerns regarding functionality or defects after delivery, please contact us within 3 days of receiving the watch so we can assist you. As with all used watches, water resistance is not guaranteed. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us after the auction ends. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-PSX-0003