Rado - Green Gazelle - No reserve price - ETA Caliber 2789 - Men - 1970-1979

Now available at auction from Second Vintage The 1970s represented a golden era of daring design and horological experimentation, a period where Rado truly distinguished itself with bold, unconventional aesthetics. The Green Gazelle is a magnificent testament to this creative philosophy, blending a robust stainless steel tonneau case with an incredibly striking gold-tone fluted bezel. Featuring a uniquely positioned vertical day-date complication and the iconic rotating anchor logo, this timepiece exudes vintage charm and character. It is a highly charismatic watch that captures the funky, forward-thinking spirit of its decade, making it a compelling addition for collectors who appreciate distinct and historically rich design language. Brand: Rado Model: Green Gazelle Movement: Automatic, ETA Caliber 2789, 25 Jewels Dial: Champagne vertical brushed dial, applied faceted indices, exceptionally clean condition Case Size: 33 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless steel with gold-tone bezel Production Year: 1970s Condition: Good vintage condition with well-preserved case lines and an outstanding dial Dial and Hands The dial of this Green Gazelle is a visual delight, featuring a highly attractive champagne surface with a prominent vertical brushed texture that catches the light beautifully. The dial is exceptionally clean and well-preserved, completely free of spotting, moisture stains, or significant surface degradation. It is adorned with applied, faceted rectangular indices that feature dark central inserts, perfectly complementing the baton hands. The hands themselves display a black central stripe and exhibit minor, age-consistent oxidation along their metallic edges, adding authentic vintage character. At the twelve o'clock position sits the signature Rado anchor logo with its vibrant red background and gold-tone anchor. The nine o'clock position features the distinct green painted gazelle emblem, while the six o'clock position houses a vertically stacked day and date aperture, displaying a white day disc and a black date disc. The serif typography for the "Green Gazelle" printing remains incredibly crisp and fully intact. Case and Crystal The 33 mm stainless steel case utilizes a tonneau-influenced shape with hooded lugs, presenting a strong, architectural profile on the wrist. The case retains sharp, defined transitions between the brushed upper surfaces and the polished flanks, indicating honest preservation over the decades. The standout feature is the gold-tone fluted bezel, which showcases a dynamic pattern of horizontal and angled ridges. The case and bezel display normal signs of vintage wear, including light surface scratches and minor rubbing to the high points of the gold-tone plating, which is entirely consistent with good vintage condition. The screw-down caseback is deeply stamped with the classic Rado twin seahorse medallion, maintaining crisp details. The crystal remains clear and well-preserved, offering an unobstructed view of the pristine dial beneath. Movement Powering this timepiece is the robust ETA Caliber 2789 automatic movement, a reliable and widely respected Swiss caliber from the era. The movement is highly decorated, featuring a striking gold-tone rotor finished with a detailed waffle guilloché pattern and proudly stamped with "RADO 25 JEWELS." The underlying brass plates and rhodium-plated components present a clean visual appearance, showing only minor, age-appropriate tarnish expected of a vintage mechanism. Running in vintage operational condition. Maintains the authentic mechanical character of the era. The timegrapher results indicate a performance of +55 to +58 seconds per day. Strap The watch is fitted with a supple black leather strap that perfectly enhances the two-tone aesthetic of the watch head. The strap features matching black stitching and is secured to the wrist with a standard stainless steel pin buckle, offering a comfortable and versatile wearing experience. Condition This Rado is presented in good vintage condition. The dial is the undeniable highlight, remaining exceptionally clean, crisp, and visually striking. The case maintains its strong structural integrity and sharp factory lines, while showing honest, age-appropriate handling marks and light scratches. The gold-tone bezel exhibits minor plating wear on its raised edges, authenticating its vintage journey without detracting from its bold appearance. The movement is clean, fully operational, and beautifully decorated. Dimensions Case Size: 33 mm (excluding the crown) Remarks The Rado Green Gazelle stands out as a highly collectible piece of 1970s horology, combining a reliable Swiss automatic movement with an eccentric and highly memorable design. The vertical day-date layout, the textured dial, and the elaborate bezel create a watch that is impossible to ignore. Its highly preserved dial condition makes this specific example particularly appealing for vintage enthusiasts looking for a conversation-starting timepiece. History Founded in 1917 in Lengnau, Switzerland, as Schlup & Co., the brand eventually evolved into Rado in the 1950s and quickly built a reputation for avant-garde designs and the pioneering use of unconventional materials. During the 1960s and 1970s, Rado released an extensive family of watches named after various animals, including the Horse, Stag, and Gazelle collections. These models were characterized by their bold case shapes, vibrant dials, and unique complications. The Green Gazelle remains a proud emblem of this highly creative era, representing Rado's fearless approach to watchmaking and its lasting legacy in the world of vintage horology. / Second Vintage SKU: RAD-XXX-0002