Vintage Rado

Late 70s two-toned Rado from my Grandfather.

Now that is a lovely piece!

Thank you! I am still not used to wearing two-toned on a regular basis.

Some two tones look overdone and cheap. Not that one though! Very stylish.

I would totally rock that daily!

I've always liked the swinging anchor feature as it's so fun and quirky. But always steered clear of Rado in general because so many of them are fakes and Frankens where I live.

It’s like anything else. You have to buy the seller and the watch. And do as much research as possible.

The good news is they are pretty inexpensive thus the risk is low.

That golden horse watch is beautiful

Thank you! Rado had some great designers (and still does).

I agree with some of that.

Absolutely got to do your research. Personally, I don't agree with the "buy the seller" thing as an established seller will always cost more. I enjoy doing my research and finding a bargain from a seller that doesn't know what they're selling. Mostly on ebay

I wouldn't class Rado as inexpensive compared to lots of other vintage watches.

And like I said, where I live Rado attracts more fakes and Frankens so the risk is high.

I guess the ultimate problem is that I personally don't like Rados enough to do the amount of research needed to get a bargain and avoid being ripped off.

Though you have some very nice examples there.

I always buy the seller - it’s a golden rule. I can also swallow a small premium for piece of mind. But… that’s just me.

And I’m glad you’ve mentioned franken-Rado, because the issue is much more prevalent than you think. I have seen someone trying to offer 40 “new” “vintage” Diastars via Facebook very recently, all packed and shiny, so the phrase caveat emptor has never applied more. I dabbled in vintage Rado many years ago thinking I’m getting a good bargain, but it brought nothing but pain and annoyance, so I always advise many to stay away and put money towards something else. If you are willing to throw up to $400 on one of these, then maybe hold on and get something with better provenance. Oh… and before you want to call me a snob, I’m just a collector sharing their experiences - you don’t have to listen.

Fele free to buy the seller. I prefer hunting for the diamond in the rough on ebay. I find the premium for a really reliable seller is rather large.

I think your reply confuses me with the OP. I avoid Rado altogether because of the fake and Franken issues where I live. Few Rados were originally sold in my country so most of the ones for sale here have been imported from South and East Asia.

E.g. It's not possible to buy a solid gold watch like this one for £60 by "buying the seller".

I was supporting your franken- argument, and countering your seller argument.

You are preaching to the choir btw regarding vintage, but I do recommend due diligence on all sellers. Depending on what you are picking up a small premium to ensure the genuine article, in the overall scheme of things, is nothing when considering piece of mind and satisfaction. Again, take it or leave it, I’m unfazed.

Nice pieces!

Thank you!

I Love Rado watches had a few and they are true innovators especially in terms of materials and design one of my biggest regrets is selling a beautiful green horse king-size and never finding one since in anywhere near the condition

I know how you feel! Some of those pieces are incredibly rare. Much rarer than I ever imagined when I started chasing Rado.

They are great watches few frankens about but you can mostly tell and they are slightly left field always good 👍

We seem to have some crossed wires here:

Your comment was: "I'm glad you’ve mentioned franken-Rado, because the issue is much more prevalent than you think"

My first post was: I've "always steered clear of Rado in general because so many of them are fakes and Frankens where I live." I think it's a very prevalent issue which is why I avoid them.

Re: vintage buying strategies, I don't ever pay the premium from a dealer or established seller. My approach is to buy from someone who doesn't know the value of what they're selling or how to list it. That's how I get a bargain, which I enjoy.

E.g. Family member of a deceased elderly relative selling a "25 years service" gold watch which has sat in a drawer for 20 years. Often barely worn, no scratches but in a box which is starting to fall apart and absolutely terrible photos.

That's just my approach and what I enjoy. Like you say, take it or leave it, I'm unfazed.

Happy for you to have the last word…

I love Rado and I have on multiple occasions been a hair's breadth from picking up a used DiaStar, they're absolutely stunning and irresistible to someone like me who loves weirder, quirky designs.

Man, I sure like that Voyager with the (I presume) diamond melee.

If you like the off the wall designs Rado has many in the back catalog!

Thank you!

I’ve been looking at them too. I’ve bought an Elgin, Gruen, a couple of Enicars and one Girard Perregaux. This deep rabbit hole exists for many brands and you can pick your flavor. I’ll get a Rado one of these days.

First one looks like a Rolex date just

I like the Rado style - always on the edge of fashion, but their attractive to me!

Me as well!

Only have one #rado and it's vintage too. Great collection

Thank you!