Rado - Stratojet - No reserve price - Men - 1970-1979

Presented for auction by Second Vintage This Rado Stratojet is a striking example of 1970s watch design, perfectly capturing the era's fascination with space-age aesthetics and bold geometry. With its distinctive cushion-shaped case and a mesmerizing deep blue dial, this timepiece offers a substantial wrist presence while maintaining a refined profile. The Stratojet line represents Rado's commitment to creating robust, forward-looking watches, and this particular example showcases the brand's signature rotating anchor logo and distinctive typography. It is a fantastic opportunity for collectors seeking a character-rich vintage piece with undeniable retro appeal. Brand: Rado Model: Stratojet Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1970s Condition: Good vintage condition with attractive dial preservation and honest case wear Dial and Hands The watch features a captivating deep blue dial with a subtle vertical brushed texture that plays beautifully with the light. It is adorned with applied silver-tone faceted baton indices featuring stark white center inserts, providing excellent legibility. At the twelve o'clock position, the iconic Rado rotating anchor logo sits within a red circular background, positioned above the applied Rado brand name. The lower half of the dial displays the stylized "STRATOJET" text alongside a unique concentric circle or radar motif. A framed date window at three o'clock reveals a striking red numeral. The broad baton hour and minute hands match the indices with their white central stripes, accompanied by a slender sweep seconds hand. Under close inspection, the dial presents in very good condition, showing only minor, age-consistent dust specks and faint surface spotting that do not detract from its vibrant overall appearance. Case and Crystal The 36mm stainless steel cushion case is a testament to robust 1970s styling. It features a pronounced vertical brushed finish on its upper surface, which transitions sharply into highly polished flanks. The case lines and lug profiles remain well-defined, exhibiting honest signs of wear, including superficial scratches and minor handling marks typical of a watch of this vintage. The original Rado-signed crown, featuring the anchor emblem, is present and easily operable. The watch is fitted with a domed acrylic crystal that offers a clear view of the dial, showing only light surface wear consistent with careful use. The screw-down caseback is deeply engraved with the Rado triple seahorse medallion, "Water-Sealed" text, and the "STRATOJET" model designation, remaining crisp and legible. Movement Powering this Stratojet is a richly gold-plated, Swiss-made automatic movement, proudly signed by Rado on the winding rotor and noted to contain 25 jewels. The movement exhibits a clean and well-preserved aesthetic, with perlage visible on the base plates beneath the balance wheel. Running in vintage operational condition. Maintains the authentic mechanical character of the era. The timegrapher results indicate a performance of +45s to +50s/day. Strap The watch is paired with a period-correct black textured leather strap, detailed with contrasting white stitching that complements the dial indices. The strap is supple and in excellent condition, ready for comfortable daily wear. Condition This Rado Stratojet is presented in good vintage condition. The case retains its original finishing contrasts with normal wear marks, while the vibrant blue dial remains exceptionally attractive with only minor signs of aging visible under macro photography. The movement is clean and operational, making this a highly wearable and collectible vintage timepiece. Dimensions Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown) Remarks The Stratojet is a superb representation of Rado's distinctive design language. Its combination of a textured blue dial, the signature rotating anchor, and a robust cushion case makes it a standout piece for any enthusiast of vintage 1970s horology. History Rado has long been celebrated for its innovative approach to watchmaking, often experimenting with unconventional materials and bold designs. During the 1960s and 1970s, the brand released several models with "Jet" and space-themed names, reflecting the era's global fascination with aviation and space exploration. The Stratojet embodies this adventurous spirit, offering a durable, water-resistant design coupled with an aesthetic that was undeniably modern for its time. Today, these models are appreciated for their unique character and represent an exciting niche within vintage Rado collecting. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-SXX-0002