Go Mod With a Rado Watch

Like many famous watchmakers, Rado began as a manufacturer of watch movements. These precise internal mechanisms are what powered all timepieces before the advent of electronic modules. The company was founded by three brothers in Switzerland in 1917. It soon became a top supplier of movements in a country that was known as the center of the watch world. But that was not enough for the founders of Rado. After four decades of producing watch movements, they decided to introduce a collection of high-end timepieces.
Released in 1962, the Rado Diastar was the first ever scratch-proof watch. Even more important than this achievement was the fact that the watch gave the company direction. They were no longer simply a maker of luxury watches; they used innovative techniques and new materials that had never been seen before in the trade. While other watchmakers were using familiar metals like gold and stainless steel, Rado was experimenting with tungsten, titanium carbide, lanthanum and ceramics.
Why did they focus so intensely on materials? Because luxury watches should be made of sterner stuff. They should be at home in almost any environment. Rado timepieces were designed for men with active lifestyles who didn't want to worry about their accessories. It is for this reason that they became the market leader in scratch-proof watches.
It is also important to note that Rado watches are quite expensive. They start at around $700 and go all the way up to about $28,000. Something that pricey should be built to last, since it is a substantial investment for almost anyone. Because they are highly scratch-resistant, most used timepieces from Rado look nearly new, which is why they are often passed to the next generation. When you buy one of their watches you are making an investment in a family heirloom that will likely tick on long after you are gone.
The company continued to push the boundaries of function and design even after the Quartz Revolution of the 1970s. The introduction of a new digital technology forced many luxury watchmakers to either fold up shop or change directions. But Rado refused to abandon the project that had come to define them. In fact, they doubled down on scratch-proof technology at a time when most of their peers were playing it safe.
Even though digital watches were all the rage, Rado released some of their most popular and innovative models in the 1980s. Their first scratch-proof watch with a bracelet that was made of incredibly hard and remarkably light ceramics was introduced in 1986. The ceramic bracelet became a popular option in many subsequent Rado models.
Another major milestone was reached in 1996, when Rado revealed their first ladies' watch. Though it had always been known and promoted as a brand for men, the use of new materials gave them the ability to design a strong and attractive watch for women. The DiaQueen combines gold, diamonds and ceramics in a stunning scratch-proof timepiece that has gained a loyal following.
As important as raw materials are, Rado also showed that it could create interesting and innovative new designs. Released in 1999, the Rado Cerix featured a modish spiral-shaped bracelet that was naturally paired with superior materials to usher in a new generation of luxury watches.
The company's most celebrated achievement occurred in 2004, when they unveiled the V10K. Named the hardest watch on earth by the Guinness Book of World Records, it was created by transforming carbon into a nano-crystalline diamond that earned an incredible hardness number of ten thousand! The timepiece was the tangible culmination of everything the company had been working for since its inception. But that didn't mean Rado was done. They continue to design unique timepieces for luxury watch lovers everywhere. Now known the world over, Rado is on the top tier of the luxury market along with manufacturers like clock and Breitling.
Though they are not as well-known as some of their competitors, Rado has received more than two dozen international design awards in a relatively short period of time. Remember, they have only been making watches for a little over half a century. Many of their peers have been around for twice, even three times as long.
Rado continues to raise eyebrows and push the limits of what a timepiece can do. Their newer models offer striking design features that were not present in their earlier watches. Instead of classic simplicity and elegance, these watches are modern, even futuristic. Some watch lovers adore them and others prefer earlier models. But at the end of the day, the important thing is that Rado continues to experiment with new styles, materials and designs.