Rado Golden Horse 'Serviced' 11674/1 (1960-1969)

Presented for auction by Second Vintage This Rado Golden Horse represents a handsome era of mid-century watchmaking, offering a distinctive and elegant dress watch profile. The Golden Horse line is celebrated among vintage enthusiasts for its robust build quality and iconic design elements, most notably the dual seahorse medallion and the rotating anchor logo. This particular example, featuring a 30-jewel movement and a gold-plated case, exudes a warm, classic aesthetic that sits beautifully on the wrist, making it a versatile addition to any vintage collection. Brand: Rado Model: Golden Horse Reference Number: 11674/1 Movement: Automatic, 30 Jewels, Caliber 1858 Dial: Silver sunburst dial with applied gold-tone indices, featuring the iconic rotating anchor logo and dual seahorse emblem, showing light, even aging. Case Size: 34.5 mm Case Material: Gold-plated stainless steel Production Year: 1960s Condition: Good vintage condition with honest wear and an attractive, well-preserved dial. Movement has been serviced recently. Dial and Hands The silver sunburst dial is a striking feature of this timepiece, catching the light beautifully and providing a refined backdrop for the applied gold-tone indices. The dial is in good vintage condition, exhibiting light, even aging that adds to its authentic character without detracting from its overall appeal. The iconic Rado rotating anchor logo sits prominently beneath the 12 o'clock position, while the applied dual seahorse emblem is positioned above 6 o'clock. A framed date window is located at the 3 o'clock mark, featuring red numerals. The gold-tone dauphine hands are well-preserved, showing minor oxidation consistent with age, and complement the faceted hour markers perfectly. The printing, including the "RADO 30 JEWELS" and "Golden Horse" text, remains crisp and legible. Case and Crystal The 34.5mm gold-plated case presents a classic, elegant profile with sweeping lugs that offer a comfortable fit on the wrist. The case shows honest signs of wear, including light scratches and some softening of the edges, which is typical for a gold-plated watch of this vintage. The knurled crown allows for easy winding and setting. The stainless steel caseback is a highlight, featuring a deeply engraved, textured dual seahorse medallion and the "RADO Water-Sealed" text, along with the reference number 11674/1 and serial number 35304388 clearly visible. The crystal is clear and free from major scratches, providing an unobstructed view of the attractive dial beneath. Movement Powering this Golden Horse is a robust 30-jewel automatic movement, identified as Caliber 1858. The movement is visually clean, with the Rado signature and jewel count proudly stamped on the rotor. The intricate perlage decoration on the base plate and the brushed finish on the rotor highlight the quality of the caliber. The movement have been serviced recently and is exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece, the timegrapher indicates a deviation of -3 to -5 seconds per day with strong amplitude. Strap The watch is fitted with a period-correct, dark brown leather strap that complements the warm tones of the gold-plated case and dial furniture. The strap features tonal stitching and is secured with a simple gold-tone pin buckle, offering a comfortable and stylish wearing experience. Condition This Rado Golden Horse is in good vintage condition, presenting an honest and well-preserved example of mid-century design. The dial remains highly attractive with its subtle sunburst finish and intact applied logos. The gold-plated case shows expected signs of wear, adding to its vintage charm, while the deeply engraved caseback remains a standout feature. The movement is running exceptionally well, making this a reliable and stylish choice for vintage watch enthusiasts. Dimensions Case Size: 34.5 mm (excluding the crown) Remarks The Rado Golden Horse is a true classic, blending elegant design with robust engineering. The combination of the silver sunburst dial, gold-tone accents, and the iconic rotating anchor makes this piece instantly recognizable. Its excellent mechanical performance further enhances its appeal, offering both historical charm and everyday wearability. History Introduced in the late 1950s, the Golden Horse was one of Rado's first major successes and played a significant role in establishing the brand's reputation for producing high-quality, water-resistant watches. The collection was known for its distinctive styling, including the rotating anchor logo, which indicated the need for a service when it stopped moving freely, and the seahorse emblem, symbolizing water resistance. Over the decades, the Golden Horse has remained a beloved classic, representing Rado's commitment to durability and distinctive design during the golden age of mechanical watchmaking. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-RGH-0014