Whats your thoughts on RADO?

[buddenfan]

I never delved much into Rado as a watch enthusiast hut recently I watched a European gangster show (legendary show from 2002 called Brigada) which was like a Sopranos but shows how a crew of 4 childhood friends rose up in 90’s Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union when the country was a free for all for thugs.

The main leader of the crew says something is wrong with his watch which was spinning backwards (there was a bomb in the car) and his friend says ‘at least its a RADO’. I asked my friend who grew up in Latvia before coming about Rado and he said 25 years ago it was a very popular watch amongst Europeans.

Here’s the gold one from the show and another one,

https://ibb.co/YL8gwnd
https://ibb.co/wWTKNZ1

[Droolex]

Growing up Rado was the definition of luxury watch in my family. Really like a lot of their modern pieces.

[rajurama]

I own a classic Ceramica , its rather sad Swatch group is ignoring design language at Rado ... Their designs and even high tech ceramics were rather ahead of times even 20 years back.

[rajurama]

Ceramica , lightest ceramic watch ever made.IMG_20230127_002911.jpg

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[shudder]

I actually really like the look of the Captain Cook in person.

[buddenfan]

Strange that Macy’s sells Rado. Kinda cheapens the brand

[buddenfan]

My friend said the integral was popular because it looked like a braceler

[donas]

Definitely on my short list. I don't own any ceramic watches so that's my justification for adding yet another

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[buddenfan]

At this point seems Rado is slightly beneath the level of a Tag?

[bcyk]

I’m a fan of Rado watches, they are just not on the level of these other luxury watches.

[dannyp]

I'm a fan of many of the designs. Wish more were available on rubber/composite/silicone straps, though. Not a huge fan of the look of ceramic bracelets.

[buddenfan]

Originally Posted by rajurama

Ceramica , lightest ceramic watch ever made.Attachment 1344938

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How was it feel on wrist?

[rajurama]

I still wear it few times a year and its extremely comfortable barely 40 grams

[Black Bay Dan]

Whenever anyone mentions Radio I automatically think of JJ. He was definitely not a fan!

Dan

[Justindo]

Rado is huge in some parts of the world. I greatly respect their ceramic watches, but they're not for me, as I prefer classic looking watches. I do own a 42mm Captain Cook and I really like wearing it. It's quite thin for a diver, has great build quality, and deals can be had.

[dannyp]

Ok, now part of me wants to attempt this combo...

The now-discontinued grey-on-grey (left):



On this, which was apparently available on the quartz version:



Yes, I realize the clasp is black, so it might work better on the all black version, but either way... I'm starting to like the blackout look if it's on a rubber/silicone/textile strap.

[bobernet]

Every time I see Rado, I think of JJ Irani.

[gmtobsessed]

Me too, reminds me of JJ Irani

[Andad]

Originally Posted by bobernet

Every time I see Rado, I think of JJ Irani.

Originally Posted by gmtobsessed

Me too, reminds me of JJ Irani

Yes, JJ loved the Rado’s.

[buddenfan]

Originally Posted by dannyp

Ok, now part of me wants to attempt this combo...

The now-discontinued grey-on-grey (left):



On this, which was apparently available on the quartz version:



Yes, I realize the clasp is black, so it might work better on the all black version, but either way... I'm starting to like the blackout look if it's on a rubber/silicone/textile strap.

I dare you! That looks 🔥

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by buddenfan

I dare you! That looks 🔥

Wish it were still readily available and at the same discounts they once were. However I don't see many of them on the big grey market sites. Perhaps some of the outlet-type jewelry stores still have them. In truth, any of the three configurations would look good with that, but there's something about that matte grey-on-grey.

[Andy_Andy]

I like their captain cook line, but I feel like they're overpriced for what you get in the movement

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Black Bay Dan

Whenever anyone mentions Radio I automatically think of JJ. He was definitely not a fan!

Dan

Same here. I mailed him a Rado catalog once

[buddenfan]

Some gorgeous Rado’s imo

[scarlet knight]

We used to go to St. Martin in the 1990s and 2000s. A ton of high end jewelry stores. Rado was da bomb then. Obviously, overtaken by other brands. I like the current Capt. Cook.

[buddenfan]

Originally Posted by scarlet knight

We used to go to St. Martin in the 1990s and 2000s. A ton of high end jewelry stores. Rado was da bomb then. Obviously, overtaken by other brands. I like the current Capt. Cook.

I guess that makes them ‘vintage’ now haha

[psv]

I grew up in Northern Europe, Rado watches were always seen as tacky and low class, think sleazy used car salesman in not good suburb.

Today it is owned by Swatch Group (since 1998), I think they have done a good job slowly altering the brand image of Rado, especially with the Captain Cook vintage-inspired series.

I would rate Rado on the same level as Swatch Group's 3rd tier brands like Certina, Tissot, and perhaps Longines (even if that brand has a much richer, classier and important history to draw upon).

I can't think of any circumstance I would own or even wear a Rado...

[AAMD11]

I own 2 of them. I love them. To each their own I guess. Have had one 12 years and another 20. Not a single scratch. One of which was my daily btw. I keep them on rotation with my 2 Rolex, 2 Omega, Cartier Santos, and PRX

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by psv

I grew up in Northern Europe, Rado watches were always seen as tacky and low class, think sleazy used car salesman in not good suburb.

Today it is owned by Swatch Group (since 1998), I think they have done a good job slowly altering the brand image of Rado, especially with the Captain Cook vintage-inspired series.

I would rate Rado on the same level as Swatch Group's 3rd tier brands like Certina, Tissot, and perhaps Longines (even if that brand has a much richer, classier and important history to draw upon).

I can't think of any circumstance I would own or even wear a Rado...

There’s no comparison with Longines, in my opinion. At this point I’d probably buy a Longines Spirit over a comparable iwc pilot. However what I will give Rado credit for is being an early adopter of non traditional materials, specifically ceramic.

[thetinkercompanies]

love the unique aesthetic
hate the quartz movements