Rado Golden Horse De Luxe 11803 (1960-1969)

Now available at auction from Second Vintage This sought-after 57-jewel Golden Horse De Luxe presents a highly distinctive configuration for vintage Rado collectors. Characterized by heavy, uniform dial patination that creates a striking "stardust" effect, the watch pairs an intriguing aged aesthetic with a high-jewel count automatic movement and a vibrant red date display. Brand: Rado Model: Golden Horse Reference Number: 11803 Movement: Automatic, caliber 1700/01, 57 jewels Dial: Heavily patinated with uniform moisture spotting and red date display Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Gold-tone, stainless steel caseback Production Year: 1960s Condition: Fair vintage condition. Movement serviced on 23 September 2026. Timegrapher: +15+17s/day, performing remarkably well. Dial and Hands The dial exhibits heavy, uniform moisture spotting and staining across its entire surface, resulting in a heavily patinated character. Despite this pronounced aging, the applied indices and Rado logos remain fully intact, and the printed text, reading Rado, 57 Jewels, Golden Horse De Luxe, and Swiss Made, remains mostly legible. A distinctive red date display at three o'clock provides a sharp contrast, with numerals that are clear and well-defined. The gold-tone dauphine hands show visible oxidation and spotting, presenting a dulled surface finish that perfectly matches the dial's aged condition. Case and Crystal The 36 mm gold-tone case is heavily worn, featuring an integrated smooth bezel and a ribbed, unsigned gold-tone crown. There is significant plating loss on the lug edges, case flanks, and bezel, leaving base metal clearly visible. Scratches and handling marks are present throughout the case profile. In contrast, the stainless steel caseback shows only light scratches and retains clear, crisp engravings, proudly displaying the classic Rado seahorse medallion. The domed acrylic crystal is generally clear, showing minor surface scratches but no major cracks or chips. Movement Powering the watch is the automatic caliber 1700/01, equipped with a gold-tone rotor. The plates and bridges appear relatively clean with only minor superficial marks. The movement is clearly stamped with the 1700/01 caliber designation under the balance and features engravings reading RADO, 57 JEWELS, and SWISS. The timegrapher recorded a rate of +15+17s/day. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece. The movement was serviced on 23 September 2026. Strap The watch is fitted with a casual black leather strap featuring contrast stitching. The material shows light wear and creasing consistent with gentle use. Condition Fair vintage condition. The movement was serviced on 23 September 2026 and, supported by the recorded timegrapher result, is performing very strongly. The watch wears its age visibly, with significant plating loss on the case flanks and lugs revealing the base metal beneath. Scratches and handling marks are present throughout the case and bezel. The dial and hands are heavily patinated and oxidized, showing extensive uniform moisture spotting, though the applied markers and crisp red date numerals remain highly legible. The crystal is clear with minor surface wear. Dimensions Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Remarks This Golden Horse De Luxe presents a compelling combination of heavy patination and impressive mechanical specifications. The high-jewel count automatic movement and the distinctive red date display make this a highly engaging collector favourite. History Introduced in 1957, the Golden Horse collection represented Rado's first major success as an independent watch brand. During the late 1950s and early 1960s, Rado utilized the "57 Jewels" designation as a deliberate marketing strategy to convey technical superiority and luxury. These high-jewel variants remain an important chapter in the brand's mid-century development, illustrating Rado's early ambition to produce highly specified mechanical timepieces. 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-RGH-0030