DiaStar Original 60-Year Anniversary Edition

R12163118

DiaStar Original 60-Year Anniversary Edition View larger
DiaStar Original 60-Year Anniversary Edition

Brand  : Rado
Collection  : DiaStar
Model  : DiaStar Original 60-Year Anniversary Edition
Reference  : R12163118
Complement : Ceramos™ - Grey Dial - Bracelet Stainless Steel
On sale : 2022

2 100 €Recorded list price in FranceI WANT IT

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  • Brand  : Rado
    Collection  : DiaStar
    Model  : DiaStar Original 60-Year Anniversary Edition
    Reference  : R12163118
    Complement : Ceramos™ - Grey Dial - Bracelet Stainless Steel
    On sale : 2022
    List Price : 2 100 €
    Diameter : 38,0 x 45,0 x 12,3 (lxLxH en mm) mm
    Styles : Vintage
    Types : Self-winding
    Calibre : R764
    Case material : Ceramos™
    Case peculiarity : Polished Ceramos™ bezel radially-brushed conical external surface
    Polished stainless steel middle part
    Polished stainless steel crown
    with matt anchor symbol Hexagon facetted sapphire crystal anti-reflective coating on inside face
    Polished stainless steel case back
    Special engraving on case back: DIASTAR ORIGINAL 60-YEAR ANNIVERSARY EDITION
    DESIGN ALFREDO HÄBERLI
    Shape : Oval
    Water-resistance : 100 meters
    Dial color : Grey
    Display : Dot indexes filled with natural colour Super-LumiNova®
    Silver coloured moving anchor symbol on metallic grey background
    Grey printed Rado logo
    Rhodium coloured with natural colour Super-LumiNova®
    Rhodium coloured second hand with blind hole
    Strap material : Stainless steel
    Strap clasp : Folding buckle
    + More characteristics :
    Mouvement
    Rado calibre R764 (gold plated), automatic, 25 jewels, 3 hands, date and graphical day display with 2 colour scheme in grey or natural colour Super-LumiNova® at 6 o’clock, 80-hour power reserve, antimagnetic Nivachron™ hairspring, exceeds standard test requirements from 3 to 5 positions for higher accuracy

    Case
    Polished Ceramos™ bezel radially-brushed conical external surface

    Dial
    Metallic grey, circular brushed

    Bracelet / Buckles
    EasyClip system
    Satin brushed stainless steel “Milanese”, polished sides, satin brushed cover with polished openers Additional grey textile strap, satin brushed stainless steel extendable folding clasp and polished pushers

DESCRIPTION

  • DiaStar Original 60-Year Anniversary

    Q&A with A. Bosshard

    Dear Watch-Lovers,

    The Rado philosophy is since the beginning based on a fundamental commitment to science and technology, to research and development in terms of materials and design. Rado has repeatedly challenged the limits of what is possible, and crossed into new territories. It is this unwavering commitment to the future, backed by the courage to pursue the vision of the founders “If we can imagine it, we can make it. And if we can make it, we will do it.” that make up the Rado DNA.

    When the first DiaStar was presented in April 1962 at the watch fair in Basel, Switzerland, it created a sensation. But the journey of this icon started a lot earlier and with a simple idea: that of giving the world an accurate watch of lasting beauty. A watch with individual, unmistakable design and ultra-brilliant luster. After years of research and development, and with a lot of pioneering spirit as well as courage, an item of truly special form and charisma was born: the world’s first scratch- proof watch.

    I am very proud to present to you the next chapter in the DiaStar success story – the DiaStar Original 60-Year Anniversa- ry Edition and this time in another of Rado’s preferred materials – CeramosTM. This unique piece has been created in collab- oration with the Swiss designer Alfredo Häberli. The goal was to revisit the model, with subtle but notable changes to mark its sixtieth anniversary, to keep the strong personality of its predecessor, while also adding the best and latest innovations.

    Framed by a radial-brushed CeramosTM coiffe with polished angles and detailing, set over a matching monochrome stain- less-steel case, a sapphire crystal with hexagonal facets marks six decades since the original watch. The Rado R764 au- tomatic movement with 80 hours of power reserve and an antimagnetic NivachronTM hairspring ensures reliable and precise timekeeping. The watch is available in both an Anniversary Edition, as well as a standard DiaStar Original model with a parallel-stripe-faceted sapphire crystal, polished and brushed H-link stainless-steel bracelet, and a range of different, exciting dial colours.

    I invite you to discover the four new DiaStar Original references. They stand today as they did in 1962 – for dependability, lasting beauty and endless wearing pleasure.

    Best regards,

    Q:        Do you have any personal connection to the Rado DiaStar Original?

    A: For decades, watch connoisseurs have been wearing this watch. I have distinct memories from my childhood about fami- ly members and their acquaintances wearing a DiaStar and today, those watches still look like new. This certainly is one reason for me becoming a watch-lover myself and I am proud that the Rado DiaStar Original has a firm place in the bestseller list of many countries around the globe, to this day.

     

    Q:        1962 – a special year for Rado, also a special year for you?

    A:        Indeed, like the DiaStar Original, I celebrate a round birthday this year – 40 years old with 20 years of experience.

     

    Q:        What are the reasons for the long-term success of the DiaStar Original collection?

    A: This iconic product is totally unique in both shape and design. The choice of the material for the case – hardmetal be- fore and now CeramosTM in the new collection – makes the watch practically indestructible. It is truly a watch for a lifetime.

     

    Q:        Who is the typical Rado DiaStar Original customer?

    A: A person with high expectations concerning the attributes of his timepiece and looking for a unique and exceptional design.

     

    Q:        Where do you see this product line going, in the future?

    A: The DiaStar Original has for 60 years been an important pillar in the global Rado collection. I strongly believe that such an iconic product will continue to be a bestseller for the next 60 years.

     

    Q:        How did the collaboration with Alfredo Häberli come about?

    A: We have been in contact with Alfredo Häberli, who is a great watch fan, for years. His passion for watchmaking made him the ideal designer to approach for the facelift of this iconic Rado product.

    DiaStar 1962 – Futuristic history

    The world was riding the wave of the Post-War Boom, business was thriving and the creative field of watchmaking was no exception. Rado was still Schlup & Co. and competition was lively, so the company decided to create a watch that could outlast, outshine and outlive practically every other fine timepiece on the market. The heady Sixties had just begun, the Beatles and feminism were just around the corner and the time was perfect, to launch Rado’s heartfelt mission to become the “Master of Materials”.

    With that firmly in mind, Rado engineers and designers turned their attention to the materials that were going to be used for the case and the watch crystal, in the first in- stance. The projected timepiece would have to be both an outstanding example of durability and good looks, of course, but also capable of keeping those qualities nearly forever. It was a tall order, and one that Schlup & Co. were sure their engineers could meet. After all, key people at the company liked to say, “If we can imagine it, we can make it. And if we can make it, we will!” Now was the time to put that vision to good use.

    Under the Rado name, they set out on their noble mission: to build a watch that would be scratch-proof, made of an alloy of tungsten carbide called “Hardmetal”. In that shiny, high- ly-resistant case, they then put a sapphire crystal glass al- most as hard and durable as diamond. Back in the day, we should remember, a lot of watch cases were made of gold or plated brass, with a fragile glass of mineral or polymer or- igin, sometimes with additional detailing in delicate enam- el or other finery that was quite susceptible to damage. The new case was going to be almost eternal. So, on November 28, 1961, Rado officially patented the use of hardmetal alloy for watch-case manufacturing. They became the first compa- ny to join a hardmetal case and a sapphire crystal in a truly unique new watch, with a bold new design. The DiaStar had arrived.

    DiaStar – The epic shape of time

    The original shape of the DiaStar timepiece, a striking oddity in 1962 and one that saw no big change throughout its various incarnations, was a true milestone. It helped to establish Rado as THE design brand and in that light, the story deserves a word or two of explanation.

    Few people realize that the unique shape arose from tech- nical constraints rather than a particular aesthetic objec- tive. Machining such an incredibly hard alloy implied tech- nics that were, one might say, cutting-edge in their day but not quite what can be done nowadays with computer- and la- ser-assisted CNC machining systems. The watch landed its signature oval shape almost by chance but struck the in- tuitive vision of key Rado decision-makers who saw it, and the DiaStar found its way to market. Sixty years later, with nearly five million units sold all around the world, everyone at Rado can look back on that decision with pride, even if the early years were a soft crescendo rather than a spike to in- stant fame. The unique watch received recognition first in the Far-East, after its launch, and then slowly throughout the rest of the world. Since then, the timepiece has truly be- come one of the most loved and iconic creations, not only at Rado but for the entire Swiss watch industry.

    Early on, Rado marketing strategies for the DiaStar included some exciting product demonstrations where people were in- vited to try to damage the DiaStar’s finish, using a knife or a nail file. People tried but no one succeeded. Visitors at those international fairs had never seen such an alloy. Those trade events helped the unique timepiece gain favour with the wid- er public. The existence of such an object, impervious to the ravages of time, gave the watch an otherworldly, almost su- pernatural appeal: “It looks great when you buy it and it will look great for the rest of your life.” An irresistible marketing byline, if ever there was one.

    “Extraordinary watches for extraordinary people.”

    “How could anyone want to wear another watch, now that the Rado DiaStar exists?”

    DiaStar – About the name

    No one had done it before. Watches had held their noble place by just being handsome and functional, at best. Rado was about to make a statement, that durability and extreme re- sistance were also factors that buyers were taking into con- sideration. That Post-War world was full of action and ex- citement, which suggested a measure of additional danger and drama: a watch truly fit for purpose had to outlive prac- tically anything. It had to be as tough as diamond and shine like a star, nearly forever, after years of wearing. The watch case was made of a spectacularly-resistant tungsten carbide alloy called “Hardmetal”, an industry first, that brought ex- ceptional lustre to the case.

    It held a sapphire crystal such as those that had just begun to find wider use in watchmaking, thanks to improvements in large-scale manufacturing technics. More and more, sap- phire crystal was becoming the resistant and durable watch- glass material of choice. This diamond-like resistance and indestructible shine made the name “DiaStar” an absolute natural. The clever fusion of those two words has been the model’s very evocative moniker ever since.

    “The Rado DiaStar, story of an icon.”

  • DiaStar Original 60-Year Anniversary

    Q&A with A. Bosshard

    Dear Watch-Lovers,

    The Rado philosophy is since the beginning based on a fundamental commitment to science and technology, to research and development in terms of materials and design. Rado has repeatedly challenged the limits of what is possible, and crossed into new territories. It is this unwavering commitment to the future, backed by the courage to pursue the vision of the founders “If we can imagine it, we can make it. And if we can make it, we will do it.” that make up the Rado DNA.

    When the first DiaStar was presented in April 1962 at the watch fair in Basel, Switzerland, it created a sensation. But the journey of this icon started a lot earlier and with a simple idea: that of giving the world an accurate watch of lasting beauty. A watch with individual, unmistakable design and ultra-brilliant luster. After years of research and development, and with a lot of pioneering spirit as well as courage, an item of truly special form and charisma was born: the world’s first scratch- proof watch.

    I am very proud to present to you the next chapter in the DiaStar success story – the DiaStar Original 60-Year Anniversa- ry Edition and this time in another of Rado’s preferred materials – CeramosTM. This unique piece has been created in collab- oration with the Swiss designer Alfredo Häberli. The goal was to revisit the model, with subtle but notable changes to mark its sixtieth anniversary, to keep the strong personality of its predecessor, while also adding the best and latest innovations.

    Framed by a radial-brushed CeramosTM coiffe with polished angles and detailing, set over a matching monochrome stain- less-steel case, a sapphire crystal with hexagonal facets marks six decades since the original watch. The Rado R764 au- tomatic movement with 80 hours of power reserve and an antimagnetic NivachronTM hairspring ensures reliable and precise timekeeping. The watch is available in both an Anniversary Edition, as well as a standard DiaStar Original model with a parallel-stripe-faceted sapphire crystal, polished and brushed H-link stainless-steel bracelet, and a range of different, exciting dial colours.

    I invite you to discover the four new DiaStar Original references. They stand today as they did in 1962 – for dependability, lasting beauty and endless wearing pleasure.

    Best regards,

    Q:        Do you have any personal connection to the Rado DiaStar Original?

    A: For decades, watch connoisseurs have been wearing this watch. I have distinct memories from my childhood about fami- ly members and their acquaintances wearing a DiaStar and today, those watches still look like new. This certainly is one reason for me becoming a watch-lover myself and I am proud that the Rado DiaStar Original has a firm place in the bestseller list of many countries around the globe, to this day.

     

    Q:        1962 – a special year for Rado, also a special year for you?

    A:        Indeed, like the DiaStar Original, I celebrate a round birthday this year – 40 years old with 20 years of experience.

     

    Q:        What are the reasons for the long-term success of the DiaStar Original collection?

    A: This iconic product is totally unique in both shape and design. The choice of the material for the case – hardmetal be- fore and now CeramosTM in the new collection – makes the watch practically indestructible. It is truly a watch for a lifetime.

     

    Q:        Who is the typical Rado DiaStar Original customer?

    A: A person with high expectations concerning the attributes of his timepiece and looking for a unique and exceptional design.

     

    Q:        Where do you see this product line going, in the future?

    A: The DiaStar Original has for 60 years been an important pillar in the global Rado collection. I strongly believe that such an iconic product will continue to be a bestseller for the next 60 years.

     

    Q:        How did the collaboration with Alfredo Häberli come about?

    A: We have been in contact with Alfredo Häberli, who is a great watch fan, for years. His passion for watchmaking made him the ideal designer to approach for the facelift of this iconic Rado product.

    DiaStar 1962 – Futuristic history

    The world was riding the wave of the Post-War Boom, business was thriving and the creative field of watchmaking was no exception. Rado was still Schlup & Co. and competition was lively, so the company decided to create a watch that could outlast, outshine and outlive practically every other fine timepiece on the market. The heady Sixties had just begun, the Beatles and feminism were just around the corner and the time was perfect, to launch Rado’s heartfelt mission to become the “Master of Materials”.

    With that firmly in mind, Rado engineers and designers turned their attention to the materials that were going to be used for the case and the watch crystal, in the first in- stance. The projected timepiece would have to be both an outstanding example of durability and good looks, of course, but also capable of keeping those qualities nearly forever. It was a tall order, and one that Schlup & Co. were sure their engineers could meet. After all, key people at the company liked to say, “If we can imagine it, we can make it. And if we can make it, we will!” Now was the time to put that vision to good use.

    Under the Rado name, they set out on their noble mission: to build a watch that would be scratch-proof, made of an alloy of tungsten carbide called “Hardmetal”. In that shiny, high- ly-resistant case, they then put a sapphire crystal glass al- most as hard and durable as diamond. Back in the day, we should remember, a lot of watch cases were made of gold or plated brass, with a fragile glass of mineral or polymer or- igin, sometimes with additional detailing in delicate enam- el or other finery that was quite susceptible to damage. The new case was going to be almost eternal. So, on November 28, 1961, Rado officially patented the use of hardmetal alloy for watch-case manufacturing. They became the first compa- ny to join a hardmetal case and a sapphire crystal in a truly unique new watch, with a bold new design. The DiaStar had arrived.

    DiaStar – The epic shape of time

    The original shape of the DiaStar timepiece, a striking oddity in 1962 and one that saw no big change throughout its various incarnations, was a true milestone. It helped to establish Rado as THE design brand and in that light, the story deserves a word or two of explanation.

    Few people realize that the unique shape arose from tech- nical constraints rather than a particular aesthetic objec- tive. Machining such an incredibly hard alloy implied tech- nics that were, one might say, cutting-edge in their day but not quite what can be done nowadays with computer- and la- ser-assisted CNC machining systems. The watch landed its signature oval shape almost by chance but struck the in- tuitive vision of key Rado decision-makers who saw it, and the DiaStar found its way to market. Sixty years later, with nearly five million units sold all around the world, everyone at Rado can look back on that decision with pride, even if the early years were a soft crescendo rather than a spike to in- stant fame. The unique watch received recognition first in the Far-East, after its launch, and then slowly throughout the rest of the world. Since then, the timepiece has truly be- come one of the most loved and iconic creations, not only at Rado but for the entire Swiss watch industry.

    Early on, Rado marketing strategies for the DiaStar included some exciting product demonstrations where people were in- vited to try to damage the DiaStar’s finish, using a knife or a nail file. People tried but no one succeeded. Visitors at those international fairs had never seen such an alloy. Those trade events helped the unique timepiece gain favour with the wid- er public. The existence of such an object, impervious to the ravages of time, gave the watch an otherworldly, almost su- pernatural appeal: “It looks great when you buy it and it will look great for the rest of your life.” An irresistible marketing byline, if ever there was one.

    “Extraordinary watches for extraordinary people.”

    “How could anyone want to wear another watch, now that the Rado DiaStar exists?”

    DiaStar – About the name

    No one had done it before. Watches had held their noble place by just being handsome and functional, at best. Rado was about to make a statement, that durability and extreme re- sistance were also factors that buyers were taking into con- sideration. That Post-War world was full of action and ex- citement, which suggested a measure of additional danger and drama: a watch truly fit for purpose had to outlive prac- tically anything. It had to be as tough as diamond and shine like a star, nearly forever, after years of wearing. The watch case was made of a spectacularly-resistant tungsten carbide alloy called “Hardmetal”, an industry first, that brought ex- ceptional lustre to the case.

    It held a sapphire crystal such as those that had just begun to find wider use in watchmaking, thanks to improvements in large-scale manufacturing technics. More and more, sap- phire crystal was becoming the resistant and durable watch- glass material of choice. This diamond-like resistance and indestructible shine made the name “DiaStar” an absolute natural. The clever fusion of those two words has been the model’s very evocative moniker ever since.

    “The Rado DiaStar, story of an icon.”

  • Brand  : Rado
    Collection  : DiaStar
    Model  : DiaStar Original 60-Year Anniversary Edition
    Reference  : R12163118
    Complement : Ceramos™ - Grey Dial - Bracelet Stainless Steel
    On sale : 2022
    List Price : 2 100 €
    Diameter : 38,0 x 45,0 x 12,3 (lxLxH en mm) mm
    Styles : Vintage
    Types : Self-winding
    Calibre : R764
    Case material : Ceramos™
    Case peculiarity : Polished Ceramos™ bezel radially-brushed conical external surface
    Polished stainless steel middle part
    Polished stainless steel crown
    with matt anchor symbol Hexagon facetted sapphire crystal anti-reflective coating on inside face
    Polished stainless steel case back
    Special engraving on case back: DIASTAR ORIGINAL 60-YEAR ANNIVERSARY EDITION
    DESIGN ALFREDO HÄBERLI
    Shape : Oval
    Water-resistance : 100 meters
    Dial color : Grey
    Display : Dot indexes filled with natural colour Super-LumiNova®
    Silver coloured moving anchor symbol on metallic grey background
    Grey printed Rado logo
    Rhodium coloured with natural colour Super-LumiNova®
    Rhodium coloured second hand with blind hole
    Strap material : Stainless steel
    Strap clasp : Folding buckle
    More characteristics :
    Mouvement
    Rado calibre R764 (gold plated), automatic, 25 jewels, 3 hands, date and graphical day display with 2 colour scheme in grey or natural colour Super-LumiNova® at 6 o’clock, 80-hour power reserve, antimagnetic Nivachron™ hairspring, exceeds standard test requirements from 3 to 5 positions for higher accuracy

    Case
    Polished Ceramos™ bezel radially-brushed conical external surface

    Dial
    Metallic grey, circular brushed

    Bracelet / Buckles
    EasyClip system
    Satin brushed stainless steel “Milanese”, polished sides, satin brushed cover with polished openers Additional grey textile strap, satin brushed stainless steel extendable folding clasp and polished pushers