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The Original 2005 collection is aimed at “trendsetters of all ages” |
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The Original Classic houses a mechanical self-winding Swiss movement with a 38-hour power reserve |
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The Original Diver is dubbed the sportiest version of the new Original models |
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The Original chronograph is equipped with a Swiss quartz movement |
SWITZERLAND. Rado, part of the Swatch Group, has launched a new collection of watches based on its 1962 DiaStar model, the world’s first scratchproof watch.
Over three million of The Original oval-shaped hard metal watches have been sold in the past 40 years. Now the company “has decided to treat the design of its star model to a genuinely contemporary touch in direct line with the craze for vintage trends”.
The new collection initially comprises three variations: The Original Classic with automatic movement, The Original Chronograph and The Original Diver. They are described as faithful to the original version – including the firm’s innovative hard metal which has hardly changed since 1962.
The Original 2005 collection, aimed at “trendsetters of all ages”, features a crown that is subtly enlarged and screw-locked, enhanced with a crown guard that is designed to soften the lines of the case. Water-resistance is improved to 100 metres, a feature symbolised by the medallion engraving of a seahorse on the screwed-in case back. The bezel is stamped with the Rado logo at 9 o’clock. The bracelet and its lugs have also been designed according to more contemporary standards to be broader, better suited to the overall shape of the watch and more comfortable. The new dials are extremely readable, according to Rado.
The Original Classic, which comes in L and XL versions, houses a mechanical self-winding Swiss movement with a 38-hour power reserve. It displays the hours, minutes, seconds and a date window at 4 o’clock. Like all Rado models equipped with mechanical self-winding movements, The Original Classic has a stylised, oscillating anchor appearing at 6 o’clock on the dial. The dial has luminescent numerals. Hard metal bezel, steel case measuring 34.9mm by 42.6mm (L) or 38.6mm by 46.2 mm (XL), satin-brushed and polished steel bracelet, titanium buckle. The dial comes in charcoal grey, silvered, black, and blue and red versions. Recommended retail prices in Switzerland: Size L: CHF1,250; Size XL: CHF1,350.
The Original chronograph is equipped with a Swiss quartz movement. 60-second and 60-minute counters with central hands, 1/10th of a second display at 2 o’clock, 12-hour totaliser at 10 o’clock, as well as ADD and SPLIT functions. Hours, minutes, small seconds at 6 o’clock and date window at 4 o’clock. Hard metal bezel, steel case measuring 38.6mm by 46.2mm, satin-brushed and polished steel bracelet, titanium clasp. Dial with applied Rado logo in a choice of black with luminous orange, white or green indexes. Recommended retail price in Switzerland: CHF1,550.
The Original Diver is dubbed the sportiest version of the new Original models. It features two crowns: at 2 o’clock for the rotating bezel, which indicates the diving time, and at 3 o’clock for the setting up of time and calendar. Steel case: 38.6mm x 46.2mm, water-resistant to 300 metres. The back of the screwed case is decorated with a stamped seahorses medallion.
The precision automatic movement with 25 jewels provides a power reserve of 38 hours; hour, minute and seconds hands plus date at 3 o’clock. Extra-strong SuperLuminova (SLN) luminescent treatment on the hands and the green or red index dots make reading the time easy, even under water. The black dial displays the Rado logo, the free-moving Rado anchor and the calendar window at 3 o’clock.
The rotating bezel is also available in a choice of two colour combinations: either in green/black/white with the numerals 15, 30, 45 and 60 in black, or in red/blue/white/black with the numerals 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 in white. The solid-steel bracelet boasts a polished satin finish and is fastened with a titanium clasp. Recommended retail price in Switzerland: CHF1,650.
*In separate news, Rado was the official timekeeper for the recent Australian Open tennis championship which saw Roger Federer and Amélie Mauresmo take the men’s and women’s singles titles.
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