Results for Rado

Hands-On: the Rado True Square Automatic Skeleton

I have a feeling that if you asked most watch enthusiasts to tell you their thoughts about Rado, they’d start with the Captain Cook. The brand’s diver has been revived in recent years and become an enthusiast favorite, appearing in both traditional vintage inspired designs as well as more forward thinking and tech oriented variants. I’ve handled my share of Captain Cooks and while I think it’s a perfectly fine dive watch, there’s something a little generic about it and it’s never quite grabbed my interest. It seems positioned as a calling card product for Rado, but I find myself wondering if it’s really the watch that we should most closely identify with the brand.  Because the truth is, when it comes to Rado, they are far more adventurous than the Captain Cook would lead you to believe. And, for that matter, they’re more adventurous than we should have any right to expect given their fairly competitive price points and their place within a big luxury watch group, not typically the home of risk taking when it comes to watchmaking. Beginning with the DiaStar in the 1960s (which featured a case made from an ultra hard alloy that was among the first watches marketed as “unscratchable”) and on into the 1980s when the brand really began hitting their stride with ceramic, Rado has carved out a niche for itself as a brand willing to experiment with both raw materials and the form and function of a watch.  There are many examples of this throughout the brand...

Industrial Designer Tej Chauhan Reimagines the Rado DiaStar

Rado taps Tej Chauhan for a new evolution of its 1970s-inspired ceramic wristwatch in the second collaboration between the watch brand and the British industrial designer. Featuring ceramic-metal composite bezel in a yellow gold PVD-coating, the DiaStar Original x Tej Chauhan Special Edition retains the signature helmet-shaped case, but sports a radial pattern also found on Mr Chauhan’s preceding Rado collaboration. And the day-date display utilises the designer’s own font in bold colours. Initial thoughts Rado is a pioneer in materials innovation for watch cases, having introduced the first “scratch-proof” watch in 1962 thanks to the use of a metal composite. The new edition continues that with the use of Ceramos, a tungsten carbide-ceramic composite, but adds flavour to the 1970s design with Tej Chauhan’s touch on the dial and hands. His additions to the design set it apart, but still remain coherently 1970s in style. The look is not for every, but it does well in being a 1970s-style design with a twist. As is typical for Rado, the new DiaStar is priced reasonably. It costs US$2,250, which is value considering the materials. Most of the competition’s watches with such features cost more. Arguably the only shortcoming is the Powermatic 80 movement. Though reliable and offering an 80-hour power reserve, it is also widely used in less expensive watches from Rado’s sister companies like Tissot. Helmet-shaped case Water-resistant to 100 m, the new DiaStar retain...

First Look - The Rado DiaStar Original x Tej Chauhan Special Edition

Rado watches stand out with their use of modern materials and the originality of their design. The brand collaborates on a regular basis with international designers. Among the countless initiatives in this field, in 2021, British industrial designer Tej Chauhan applied his creative vision to the True Square with a bold yellow take on the […]

First Look - The New 39mm PVD-Gold Edition of the Rado Captain Cook Over-Pole

The cool Rado Captain Cook Over-Pole is back! Dating back to models from the 1960s, this evocative name was used for several Rado models, in particular, travel watches with a world time bezel – while the Captain Cook name immediately refers to the brand’s vintage-inspired dive watches. The Over-Pole came back in 2022 as a […]

Introducing - Compact and Colourful Versions of the Rado Diastar

Born in 1962, the Rado Diastar marked the brand’s incursion into the exciting territory of innovative materials. Combining carbide tungsten, hard metal and faceted sapphire crystal with a retro-futuristic case, the Diastar was the first step in Rado’s journey into the world of high-tech ceramics and other exciting materials. Celebrating its 60th birthday in 2022, […]

These new 30mm Rado DiaStar Original watches look sweet enough to eat

Rado target stylish Gen Zs with a smaller form factor and summer-ready Glacier Lake, Turquoise and Dahlia dials for the DiaStar.The post These new 30mm Rado DiaStar Original watches look sweet enough to eat appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Introducing the Rado True Square Skeleton and the Rado Anatom

Introducing - The Understated Matte Finish of the Rado True Square Skeleton

Rado began experimenting with innovative materials in the early 1960s, resulting in the Diastar and its futuristic helmet-like case made from scratch-resistant carbide tungsten. Since 1986, Rado has employed high-tech ceramic in its creations, obtaining a broader palette of colours and finishes over the years. The True Square, a collection launched in 2020, perpetuates Rado’s […]

New releases from IWC, Rado, Hublot and more

Most brands’ releases were on standby (like all of us) over the holidays, but with the new year underway, they've started back up again.The post New releases from IWC, Rado, Hublot and more appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Rado’s underrated Anatom has finally received a full ceramic bracelet - but how does it wear?

It's hard to overstate just how much having a ceramic bracelet transforms the Rado Anatom, an '80s design that's been revived for the 2020s.The post Rado’s underrated Anatom has finally received a full ceramic bracelet – but how does it wear? appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

New: Rado Anatom with High-Tech Ceramic Bracelet

Rado releases five new models of the Anatom with High-Tech Ceramic Bracelets. This is a followup to the successful relaunch of the Anatom in 2023.

Racing superbikes was like doing an MBA at 300km/h: Rado CEO Adrian Bosshard tells his unique story

The secrets of success for Rado CEO Adrian Bosshard weren’t learned at business school, but in his former life as a professional superbike rider.The post Racing superbikes was like doing an MBA at 300km/h: Rado CEO Adrian Bosshard tells his unique story appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

A dinner with Rado and their new ambassador, top Australian cricketer Cameron Green

Rado's signing of Green reflects how the Swiss watch industry is finally taking cricket seriously... And that they've got a soft spot for Aussies.The post A dinner with Rado and their new ambassador, top Australian cricketer Cameron Green appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Hands-On With The Spinnaker Croft 42 Skeleton Automatic

When the Spinnaker Croft 42 Skeleton Automatic landed on my desk, it instantly reminded me of two watches. The first was the skeletonized Rado Captain Cook in all its various guises. In all fairness, that’s not a bad visual reference. The second one was a little closer to home, though. In the 1990s, my brother […] Visit Hands-On With The Spinnaker Croft 42 Skeleton Automatic to read the full article.

Rado’s Continued Path to Success: Ceramics, Design & Craftmanship

Hands-On With The New Black Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton

Back in April 2024, I had a chance to check out the olive-green version of the Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton. While that earlier release walked a fine line between a saturated green and warm gray, today’s new watch takes a stealthier black approach. But don’t let that fool you because the rose gold […] Visit Hands-On With The New Black Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton to read the full article.

First Look - The Edgy Rado Anatom Returns with High-Tech Ceramic Bracelets

Contemporary, geometrical-shaped watches have been a part of Rado’s repertoire since 1967, a tradition that was continued with the release of the rectangular Anatom watch in 1983. While the Anatom initially relied on a similar Hardmetal material to the one used on the DiaStar, Rado celebrated its relaunch in 2023 with high-tech ceramic bezels. Expanding […]

From Rado to Hublot: why watch brands are finally padding up for cricket

Switzerland's watchmakers are increasingly paying attention to the world's second-most popular sport - which is good news for watch fans.The post From Rado to Hublot: why watch brands are finally padding up for cricket appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Rado’s New True Square Open Heart is Far From Black and White

First Look - The Dashing Black & Golden Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton

Named after the famous British explorer, Rado’s 1962 Captain Cook was the brand’s first dive watch with an impressive depth rating of 220 metres. Produced in very low numbers, the Captain Cook drifted off the map in 1968. With its consolidated reputation for high-tech streamlined ceramic watches, Rado took a surprising tack in 2017 by […]

Rado Over-Pole Review

In 2022, Rado re-released the Over-Pole as a limited edition of 1,965 pieces. The diameter remains as svelte as the original at 37mm. The height of the case is 10.4mm, and the lug-to-lug is 43mm. The lug width is 19mm, and it has a water resistance rating of 100m, though it does not have a screw-down crown. The case is fully polished. Interestingly, Rado chose to use a manually-wound movement for this reissue, rather than the automatic movement an original Over-Pole would have used. The movement is known as the Rado R862, and is modified from a Powermatic 80 found in other Swatch group watches. It has 80 hours of power reserve, and the Nivachron hairspring to increase its anti-magnetic properties. The movement is well finished, and can be seen through the watch’s transparent caseback.

Introducing - The New Black-and-White Rado True Square Open Heart Limited Editions

Rado is renowned for its pioneering use of scratch-resistant materials, starting with its 1962 DiaStar watch with a tungsten carbide case and culminating with its extensive use of high-tech ceramic since 1986. The brand is also synonymous with contemporary design-led watches like the True Square family launched in 2020 with its square high-tech ceramic case […]

Buying Guide - A Selection Of Sleek And Scratch-Proof Ceramic Watches

Watches come in all sizes, shapes, colours, styles and materials, which is why there’s always something to be found that ticks personal boxes. One of the options in terms of case material, or beyond for that matter, is ceramic. Pioneered by brands like Rado, it has come a long way and can be found in […]

Introducing - The Rado Captain Cook Automatic with White/Blue Gradient Dial

Following the relaunch of Rado’s classic Captain Cook in 2017 (first introduced in 1962), the diver’s portfolio has expanded significantly with models like the Bronze Collection and Two-Tone Automatics. This latest variant celebrates summer with a nod to tennis and offers three different straps for a new vibe whenever the mood strikes. It’s not the […]

Checking out the Mubadala Citi DC Open with Rado

Some people, if you were to ask them, would say that the most exhilarating moment in sports is the bottom of the ninth with two outs and the winning run at the plate. Others would say it’s penalty kicks at the World Cup, the final two minutes of a basketball game, or a last-minute Hail Mary. Ask me the same question, and you’ll get a different answer. For my money, the most exciting moment in sports comes at the end of a tennis match. Unlike soccer, football, or basketball, tennis isn’t a sport where you can run out the clock. To win, you have to earn the last point and, until that happens, a comeback is never out of the question. Despite matches sometimes lasting for hours, time isn’t explicitly a factor in tennis, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter, and there is no stronger evidence for that than the strong connection between some of the world’s leading watch brands and the sport of tennis. This past weekend, I got to experience that connection firsthand with a visit to the Mubadala Citi DC Open, where Rado was serving as the tournament’s official timekeeper. With Rado’s clocks tracking the passing time both on and off the court, there was no better host to welcome us to Rock Creek Park, or with whom to celebrate one of my favorite sports in one of my favorite cities. Though Rado’s relationship with tennis extends back much further (well over thirty years), this is only their second year partnering with the Mubadala Citi DC Open. But just because...