DISCUSSION: Rado In America
Hey everyone!
I wanted to talk about Rado. I have a beautiful Rado Captain Cook 42mm I got second hand and as someone who hasn’t been in the collecting game for to long this was a mini grail piece for me. I loved the vintage design with good water resistance, the beads of rice braclet is the best braclet I’ve ever worn, and the movement is a reliable workhorse.
I think Rado as a company is interesting, founded in 1917 they really didnt have there first big hit until ‘57 with the Golden Horse. My understanding is they were one of the first (if not the first) to really pioneer ceramic in watches, they created the first “scratch proof” watch in the Diastar, they have hertiage with the original Captain Cook that is a cult classic (because it did not take off like the submariner and fifty-fathoms of the time). But they are very small if none exhistant in the US. I read that they are MASSIVE in markets like India, China, and some parts of Europe, held up to the like of Rolex and Omega.
To everyone in the states, have you taken a look at Rado before? I know they virtually dont advertise in the states anymore but what was it like back then. I know they are really known for there Captain Cook now-a-days but they do have some more interesting pieces out there like the revival of the heritage Golden Horse. What makes you stear away from Rado to other brands in this price point?
Brand Designer in an Industrial Designers world.
Rado is known for interesting materials. I prefer Stainless Steel. I was just browsing the CC collection though.
Rado is known for interesting materials. I prefer Stainless Steel. I was just browsing the CC collection though.
Which version interested you the most?
Rado, Master of Materials.
I quite like mine but you’re right, I hardly see them.
I like the Captain Cook and Diastar. Both unique and great looking.
You have a great eye my friend, keep up the crunchy! 🌟
Rado has some interesting pieces in it’s back catalog that they bring out to reissue from time to time.
I have and love my Ceramica. It was explained to me that RADO doesn't and probably won't focus on North America and UK, frankly they don't need to. It's a demand issue and RADO spends pennies for marketing and advertising in N. America, compared to other Swiss Brands, Japanese.
RADO is highly, highly successful in Eastern Europe, Asia and East Asia, which account for 50% of World population.... So yeah, they're doin' just fine w/o North America as they have a captive market w 3 billion people.
Rado should be more popular, in fact was quite well managed here in Canada but I suppose lacked an aggressive agent. I was thumbing through some old GQ and Vogue magazines that surfaced with our last renovation, noticed that Rado were marketed quite extensively in 1990s into 2000s, I have to assume the watches did not sell well.
I have two (not my photos):
Rado is sold at Macy’s, so they are not impossible to find.
I quite like mine but you’re right, I hardly see them.
Thats a crazy piece! Can you tell me more about it?
I like the Captain Cook and Diastar. Both unique and great looking.
Right! I think they stand out in a see of submariner homages and copy cats. Although knowning the five watch history i guess everyone would be a copycat 🤷🏽♂️
Rado has some interesting pieces in it’s back catalog that they bring out to reissue from time to time.
Thats a great dial style. What would that technique be? A tv style dial? Almost like a different take on a tank like watch
I have and love my Ceramica. It was explained to me that RADO doesn't and probably won't focus on North America and UK, frankly they don't need to. It's a demand issue and RADO spends pennies for marketing and advertising in N. America, compared to other Swiss Brands, Japanese.
RADO is highly, highly successful in Eastern Europe, Asia and East Asia, which account for 50% of World population.... So yeah, they're doin' just fine w/o North America as they have a captive market w 3 billion people.
Thats a great point, marketing and wrist presents is a huge factor in driving brand awarness and marketing.
I wonder what the key factors were in focusing on those markets, and why American audiences in the past never took to RADO.
Ive always thought because they were under the swatch umbrella they were suffereing from oversaturation of the $1000-$5000 price point brands like Longine and Mido. But i was so wrong, they are thriving just not here!
Rado should be more popular, in fact was quite well managed here in Canada but I suppose lacked an aggressive agent. I was thumbing through some old GQ and Vogue magazines that surfaced with our last renovation, noticed that Rado were marketed quite extensively in 1990s into 2000s, I have to assume the watches did not sell well.
Im always a big fan of seeing vintage advertising and communication from brands. Being in marketing and having the foresight I do now vs back in the 90’s and 00’s, I wonder how the pushed the watches. Ive handled some vinatges RADOS at antique shops and their build quality seems great. I think of how Breitling in the 2000’s had big influence on pop culture for their big watches for the time. Maybe RADO didnt understand its identy in the states.
I have two (not my photos):
Rado is sold at Macy’s, so they are not impossible to find.
Both great pieces!
Im always a big fan of seeing vintage advertising and communication from brands. Being in marketing and having the foresight I do now vs back in the 90’s and 00’s, I wonder how the pushed the watches. Ive handled some vinatges RADOS at antique shops and their build quality seems great. I think of how Breitling in the 2000’s had big influence on pop culture for their big watches for the time. Maybe RADO didnt understand its identy in the states.
Breitling was such a powerful force in the 90s probably made notable by some personalities including Seinfeld and some simple ads in magazines such as GQ. It was a brand that a lot of people in fashion and design locally favoured. Here in Toronto, the agent sponsored a terrible movie along with Hugo Boss and BMW or the 3Bs haha. It is strangely sad and ironic that Rado is not cashing in on ceramic case watches. Anything ceramic from a top selling brand is super expensive now. When Rado launched their ceramic watches it was considered niche.
Thats a great dial style. What would that technique be? A tv style dial? Almost like a different take on a tank like watch
This model was marketed in the 60s as the Manhattan, something about the markers evoking the Manhattan skyline in the landscape orientation of the case.
I had to special order this piece. My wife saw it as a display model at an AD event and fell in love. It’s a good thing I jumped on it immediately because this whole line was cancelled soon after.
Thats a crazy piece! Can you tell me more about it?
Thank you! I came across it on Rado’s site about 6 months ago. It’s a special edition- 1 of 1,972 commemorating their original gold DiaStar. I love Art Deco design and thought the palm tree design screamed of it. I just checked and it’s currently sold out but there is a notify option if you’re interested.
I love Rado. And, surprisingly, they are one of the only swiss brands I can get in my area of the world. So I have a special affinity for them!
Lovely #rado and Canada side here I don't think we have many AD