Rado Golden Horse 11674/1 (1964)

Presented for auction by Second Vintage The Rado Golden Horse represents a significant chapter in the brand's mid-century history, celebrated for its robust design and distinctive aesthetic. Known for its rotating anchor logo and the iconic twin seahorse emblem, the Golden Horse series embodies the elegance and mechanical ingenuity of the era. This particular example, featuring a 30-jewel automatic movement and a gold-plated case, offers collectors a quintessential piece of Rado's vintage legacy, combining handsome design with reliable performance. Brand: Rado Model: Golden Horse Reference Number: 11674/1 Serial Number: 3343642 Movement: Automatic 30 Jewels Dial: Champagne sunburst dial with applied indices, showing visible spotting, surface marks, and a prominent scratch near the seahorse emblem. Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Gold-plated stainless steel Production Year: 1964 Condition: Good vintage condition with honest signs of wear and age-consistent patina. Dial and Hands The champagne sunburst dial features applied, faceted gold-tone indices and the signature Rado rotating anchor logo at the 12 o'clock position. The dial exhibits noticeable signs of age, including scattered spotting, surface marks, and a prominent arcing scratch located just above the twin seahorse emblem. The dauphine hands, while retaining their classic shape, show significant oxidation and texturing consistent with their vintage age. The framed date window at 3 o'clock features red numerals, adding a touch of contrast to the dial. The text "Golden Horse" and "Swiss Made" remain legible, though the overall dial surface reflects its long history of wear. Case and Crystal The 35mm gold-plated case presents a classic profile with sweeping lugs. The gold plating shows general wear, surface scratches, and minor brassing along the sharpest edges and lug tips, indicative of regular use over the decades. The steel crown features the Rado anchor logo, though it shows softening from handling. The stainless steel screw-down caseback is a highlight, featuring a deeply engraved and textured Rado Water Sealed medallion with the twin seahorse motif. The caseback displays clear engravings, including the reference number 11674/1 and serial number 3343642, alongside expected surface scratches. The domed acrylic crystal shows minor surface marks but remains generally clear, allowing for a reasonable view of the dial. Movement Powering this Golden Horse is a Rado-signed automatic movement featuring 30 jewels. The gilt movement presents well visually, with the Rado signature and jewel count clearly engraved on the rotor. The caliber exhibits standard finishing for the period. Performing well within expected vintage tolerances; running strong and steady. The timegrapher result reads -20 to -25 seconds per day. Strap The watch is fitted with a period-correct brown leather strap featuring a crocodile grain pattern and contrasting stitching. The strap is secured with a gold-tone pin buckle that complements the case material. Condition This Rado Golden Horse is in good vintage condition, presenting as an honest, worn example of a classic model. The case shows moderate wear and minor plating loss, while the dial exhibits distinct spotting, marks, and a visible scratch. The hands show heavy oxidation. The deeply engraved caseback remains a strong visual feature. Dimensions Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Remarks This Rado Golden Horse offers a charming, lived-in aesthetic for collectors who appreciate watches with visible history. The combination of the 30-jewel movement, the iconic seahorse caseback, and the rotating anchor logo make it a recognizable and enjoyable piece of vintage Rado design. History Rado introduced the Golden Horse in 1957, marking a pivotal moment as one of the brand's first major collections presented under the Rado name. The Golden Horse line was instrumental in establishing Rado's reputation for producing durable, water-resistant automatic watches, laying the groundwork for the brand's future innovations in materials and design. The distinctive twin seahorse emblem became a symbol of Rado's commitment to water resistance and reliability during this important era of watchmaking. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-RGH-0076