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RADO Watches

Browse Big Ben Watches' comprehensive archive of RADO Watches. Each model or type is featured with detailed pictures & descriptions to tell you virtually everything you need to know about our sold or available rare discount RADO watches.

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About RADO

RADO is a Swiss manufacturer of high-end watches, with headquarters in Lengnau, Switzerland. It is noted for its use of scratch-proof materials, a field in which it is considered a pioneer. Today the company produces about half a million watches a year with a staff of about 300 in total.

Formed in 1917, RADO initially produced watch movements only. In 1957 the company launched its first collection of watches under the RADO brand. In 1962 the RADO Diastar Original, the world's first scratch-proof watch, was launched. It has been in production ever since. RADO is very peculiar in the watch industry, claiming high-end status despite not having as long a history as brands such as Omega. Rather the brand claims its elite position by virtue of its technological innovations since then.

In 1983 RADO became part of the SMH group which was renamed in 1998 as the Swatch Group.

RADO differs from some of the more traditional luxury Swiss watchmakers in that it uses unconventional precious materials to achieve a more futuristic look. RADO has pioneered the use of a number of these materials, e.g., high-tech diamonds, ceramics, lanthanum & sapphire crystal. However, many RADO watches are (at least, partially) made of more traditional materials such as gold & steel.

Other than the material, RADO watches also look very different from most of the other luxury makers. The company is much more adventurous in constructing the shape of its watches than would normally be expected of a high-end maker. Market reaction to this is generally mixed, with some preferring the look of the more traditional makers, & others appreciating the more distinct RADO look.

One of artist Andy Warhol's last projects was the painting of RADO watches.

RADO advertises itself as the inventor of scratch-proof watches

RADO watches vary in pricing according to model, age & materials but generally a RADO watch's price when bought from an authorised retailer will range from about US$950 for a smaller piece to about US$8,000 for a watch made from the more precious materials. However, these prices are guidelines only & many dealers sell older or unpopular watches for less than USD800, while some of the more exclusive watches sell for much more than USD6,000.

Wikipedia contributors. RADO (watch). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. April 7, 2007, 13:10 UTC. Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/withindex.php?title=Rado_%28watch%29&oldid=120965427. Accessed May 1, 2007.

RADO Watches by Specifications