The History of Rado Watches
Fritz, Ernst, and Werner Schlup, brothers, made a decision in 1917 that would transform their lives and the lives of future generations: they decided to become watchmakers. In the Swiss town of Lengnau, their modest workshop was housed in a renovated portion of their parents’ home. Schlup & Co. got off to a good start, establishing deals with a diverse range of importers all over the world, thanks to their unrelenting energy and remarkable ability to discover fresh possibilities.
The hard work paid off, and soon the firm became one of the greatest makers of watch movements. By the end of WWII, their work was synonymous with Swiss-made excellence. The success paved the way for the brothers’ next great adventure: starting their own brand of legacy timepieces. Rado was born.
What does the name “Rado” mean?
Although there are several ideas and no conclusive proof, the most likely explanation dates back to 1928, when the Rado name was originally registered. The gear wheel was one of the most important components manufactured at Schlup & Co. in Lengnau. Rado is a word that means “wheel” in Esperanto, an international language that was founded in 1887 to bring speakers of various European languages together.
Rado Watch Movement
The Rado watches all use quartz or standard ETA movements (Rado is a subsidiary of Swatch). Many ETA movements may be found in the watches of Swatch, Certina, and Tissot, all of which are part of the Swatch Group. These are usually generic calibers that are utilized by a variety of different manufacturers.
Rado’s Ceramic Technology
If you’re familiar with Rado, you probably heard about their ceramic watches and ceramic technologies.
They are using 3 different types of ceramic technology:
- High-Tech Ceramic is described as “revolutionary, long-lasting, and hypoallergenic” by Rado. This lightweight, hypoallergenic, and comfortable material comes in a variety of metallic and matte finishes.
- Plasma High-Tech Ceramic is forged at extremely high temperatures in an oven: “Gases triggered at 20,000°C convert polished white ceramic into a new substance with an unearthly metallic sheen – yet without the use of any metal.”
- Ceramos, a mix of High-Tech Ceramic and metal alloy, is another material utilized by Rado. Durability, lightness, and comfort are all advantages of this material. This technology allows for watches to last a lifetime, making them a fantastic investment.
Reputation of Rado
Rado is a well-known Swiss watchmaker known for its creative design and use of cutting-edge materials to create some of the world’s most recognizable and long-lasting timepieces. Rado has maintained a pioneering attitude from its founding in Lengnau, Switzerland, with the brand concept “if we can imagine it, we can make it. And if we can make it, we will.” still holding true today.
Rado is widely considered as the most forward-thinking design player in watchmaking today, having won several important international design awards and keeping one eye firmly on the future.
Takeaway: Are Rado Watches Good Watches?
Because Rado is owned by the Swatch Group, it is in very capable hands and continues to develop models of true quality and appeal, particularly for those who have followed the brand since its inception or appreciate its legacy. Rado watches are known for their long-lasting beautiful looks, so expect this enjoyment to endure a long time. Rado high-tech ceramic provides hypoallergenic comfort and lightness. Lastly, the extremely particular sensation of ceramic against your skin is very unique to Rado timepieces.
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Rado Collections:
Captain Cook Collection
The Rado Captain Cook is a perfect option for modern adventurers, charting new ground in antique timepieces. It’s the ideal watch for men and women because of its antique elements and modern functions.
The Captain Cook, Rado’s renowned diving watch, was first introduced in 1962. “Doctors, engineers, athletes, deep sea divers, race car drivers… this is the watch for you,” sounded off the ad campaign. It had a rotating anchor under the 12 o’clock mark, which was the first time Rado’s world-famous trade logo appeared. The anchor was more than simply a decorative element. Behind the dial, it was placed on a lubricated ruby bearing. It showed that the watch mechanism needed to be serviced when it stopped spinning freely.
Centrix Collection
The Centrix is Rado’s most popular watch for a reason. Its flexibility in terms of size, color combinations, quartz and automatic movements ensures that there is a model to fit everyone’s preferences.
The Rado Centrix has a tapered lightweight bracelet that softly wraps around the wrist for supreme comfort. Everyone who wears this watch will feel a sense of elegance, absolute luxury, and refinement thanks to its all-around design.
True Collection
Rado didn’t only know about square high-tech ceramic timepieces; they invented them! The True Square is equipped with a complete high-tech ceramic case and bracelet, which satisfies all Rado specifications.
The True Square is made entirely of high-tech ceramic, making it smooth, light, and pleasant to wear. There’s nothing more iconic than a Rado square watch.
HyperChrome Collection
The HyperChrome series features ceramic timepieces, innovative features, and a sleek style, resulting in a revolutionary Rado wristwatch. A timepiece with all the features you want and the look you want.
Ceramic watches, innovations, unparalleled watch construction, and elegant style abound in the Hyperchrome line. The HyperChrome timepieces are dynamic, appealing, and athletic chronograph watches that look just as good with a business suit as they do with casual clothing, or even sports gear. A timepiece with all the features you want, without compromising the sleek style.
Ceramica Collection
For modern wearers, the legendary Rado Ceramica has been redesigned with a fresh new appearance. The brand’s expertise of cutting-edge design and materials is demonstrated by these distinctively square timepieces in avant-garde high-tech ceramic.
Because they are constructed of the same material and have the same black glossy surface, the Ceramica’s case and strap are the same width, discreetly connected, and create one continuous bracelet. In addition, the all-black design includes a dial with no indexes that is kept to a bare minimum. The watch’s appeal stems from its little details: The delicate hour, minute, and second hands stand out, while the Rado logo and symmetrically positioned date display blend into the horizontal-vertical grid unobtrusively. Between the light-reflecting surface and the darker slots, the horizontal splices between the regularly spaced bracelet links create a regular rhythm.