Anyone who knows me knows that I have a major watch fetish. I love all types of watches. From the cheap, no-name brand watches, to the higher end designer watches, I have my share. For true watch aficionados, Rado is a recognized and respected brand. However, for most people, the name may be recognizable, but they know very little about the brand and what it represents.
Switzerland-based Rado is a major player in the luxury watch market on an international level. The brand has become known for its style and efficiency in design. If you are thinking about becoming more familiar with the luxury watch game, Rado is a brand that you definitely want to keep on your radar. To help you familiarize yourself with the brand, here are 10 things you most likely do not know about the company and its watches.
1. The Watches are Relatively Rare
Unlike mass manufacturers, the Fado is produced in a limited quantity each year, making their watches significantly rare. You don’t see a Rado watch every day. They only manufacture 500,000 watches per year — including all o their unique designs. The watches are also available through limited retailers.
2. Rado Didn’t Start Out As a Watch Company
Initially founded in 1917 as Schlup & Co. the company was initially a watch movement-manufacturing company. It would not be until 1957 that the company would become a full-time watch builder under the name of RadoUhren AG.
3. Radi Pioneered Scratch-Resistant Technology
The DiaSTar watch was the first scratch-resistant watch in the world. It was first introduced when the Schlup brothers set up their business in Lengnau. This model became the symbol of the company's commitment to innovation and ushering in cutting-edge technology.
4. Innovation Continued
Not only did Rado create the first scratch-resistant watch, but they also produced the world’s hardest watch in the V10K, which was first introduced to the world in 2002. The watch is not simply diamond-studded, but the entire watch is created out of the combination of sapphires and diamonds. The watch is also built with Swiss quartz precision.
5. Touch Technology — Yet Another First
As you can see, Rado is simply a luxury watch manufacturer; they are a company that loves to push the bar and raise the standard when it comes to innovation. When it comes to constant development and innovation, Rado is among the leaders in the watch industry. This innovation includes the world’s first touch technology watch. Did I mention that the watch is ceramic?
6. They Consistently Dominate the International Market
While you may not have heard the name Rado as much as other popular international brands, such as TAG Hauer, Rado has consistently led the international market in the areas of quality and innovation since it first stepped on the scene.
7. The Color Consistency is Unparalleled
Earlier, I mentioned the fact that Rado is famous for its touch technology and ceramic watches. What I did not mention is the fact that the company has been able to achieve consistency in color with their watches — something that is very difficult. One of the challenges with manufacturing any type of ceramic product is that it is difficult to achieve color consistency, but Rado pulls it off, especially when it comes to their white and grey watches.
8. Plenty of Accolades
The company has received in excess of 30 international design awards for their work in pioneering and innovation, constantly ushering the watch industry into new levels of design and performance.
9. Their First Ladies Watch Didn’t Arrive Until 1996
For the longest time, Rado only designed and created watches for men. It was not until 1996 that they moved into the world of women’s watches. The first model was the Diaqueen — a gorgeous combination of gold and white ceramic. While the design was immensely elegant, it was still classified as scratch proof.
10. The Next Frontier
In addition to creating the best scratch-resistant watches, the company is also pushing the envelope in the area of water-resistant timepieces. The designs that are currently available are able to tolerate three bars of pressure or resist water infiltration up to 30 meters, which is significant. The company is promising more water-resistant models in the near future.
