Seasonal Appeal: A Rado Holiday Gift Guide

Lengnau-based watchmaker Rado calls itself a “master of materials,” but the watch cognoscenti know the brand is so much more.

Rado’s early championing of ceramics in watchmaking certainly covers the “materials” part of the slogan formula. Still, the brand’s 1986 debut of the lightweight, durable, color-friendly high-tech ceramic – an advanced, hypoallergenic material with unique tactile properties created from finely powdered zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, and silicon nitride, shaped under high pressure, and then fired at extreme temperatures – is nothing short of watch industry legend (particularly its use in the brand’s artistic True Square models).

Beyond unexpected artistry, there is a straight-up sporty side to Rado, too, as evidenced by the iconic Captain Cook dive watch (which debuted in 1962), most recently seen in a collaboration with the world of tennis.

And, of course, the foundational uniqueness of the DiaStar’s biomorphic egg-case, since its debut in 1962, has injected a level of elegance to the brand, especially in some recent jewel-like executions. Understated gem-setting is, in fact, an important part of Rado’s DNA across its offerings.

For the holiday season, the watchmaker is offering a three-fer of particularly festive executions: a snowy-white version of its True Square; a dazzling golden rendition of its Captain Cook; and an elegantly bejeweled version of its more formal Centrix model.

Could the “master of materials” also become known as a “master of holiday mirth”? Let’s take a look.

One notable feature of the True Square Automatic Open Heart Sparkling’s case (and indeed all of the Rado True Square’s cases) is how well its geometry complements an openwork movement, offering a visually pleasing window-shaped view inside the wristwatch.
 

For example, with this “open heart” design, the oscillating balance wheel and other beating components of the 80-hour power reserve Rado calibre R734 automatic movement are on full view with sumptuous rose-gold-toned details. Moreover, this mechanical artistry sits beneath a striking dial with a powdery, snow-like crystalline finish achieved through a unique electro-forming process.

Meanwhile, the 38mm by 44mm pure white ceramic case perfectly complements the diamond-like granular finish of the rhodium-colored dial, and the highly polished white bracelet links enhance the overall, snowflake-like visual effect. Finally, the brand used 12 actual diamonds for the indices complete the picture and add to its gift-giving appeal.
 

In essence, looking at the True Heart Open Heart Sparkling is like peering out through the window at a snow- and ice-covered landscape from in front of the fire of your cozy modernist home in the mountains.

Building on the mountain scene, the Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Chronograph brings a sense of a crisp, golden, starry night to the wrist of the more action-oriented person on your list.
 

While the 43mm x 49mm two-tone matte-black high-tech ceramic case, the three-link bracelet with polished center links, and complementary rose-gold-toned PVD-coated steel details speak to the festivity of the season, this Captain Cook is more than ready to make good on its pro diving features when the snow melts.

The Rado calibre R801 automatic chronograph movement delivers 59 hours of power reserve and features an edgy anti-magnetic Nivachron hairspring for enhanced accuracy. Sub-dials for permanent small seconds (at 3 o’clock), 12 hours (with an integrated date window indicator at 6 o’clock), and 30 minutes (at 9 o’clock) join the timepiece’s 300-meter water resistance rating for a sense of dive-friendly technicality.
 

The tell-tale purple-and-gold anchor logo and distinctive badging of the Captain Cook line hang like a tree ornament at noon on the dial.

Perhaps Rado’s most enduring ode to formal elegance, the bezel of the 35mm, PVD-coated, rose-gold-colored steel Centrix Automatic Diamonds model almost resembles a halo, as it is filled with 71 Top Wesselton diamonds. That said, the effect is subtle, further muted by the subdued brown mother-of-pearl dial and the contrasting brown ceramic and gold-toned links that alternate along the slinky bracelet.
 

An 80-hour power reserve Rado calibre R763 automatic movement powers this understated show, while 11 more Top Wesselton diamonds serve as hour indices. Fun Fact: The “Jubilé “badging on the dial is an old-school indicator Rado uses to identify its gem-set timepieces.