ON THE CUTTING EDGE
Material innovation, the latest technology, collaborations with top designers and a sense of nostalgia form the core of Rado’s 2017 offerings
THE WORLD of haute horlogerie, Rado has become synonymous with material innovation. The Swiss watch manufacturer is famous for its hightech ceramic timepieces. While other companies have mastered the art of moulding blocks of ceramic into solid watchcases, Rado has managed to maintain its edge through continued innovation. Furthermore, the brand has sharpened its aesthetic edge through collaborations with renowned designers to create a range of timepieces that are as eye-catching as they are technically robust.
An Icon Reborn
To begin our journey through Rado’s newest novelties for 2017, it is perhaps prudent to start with the house’s most iconic collection: the Rado Ceramica. Starkly geometric and minimalist, the collection has been given a new contemporary look under the direction of industrial designer Konstantin Grcic. To be precise, three new models have been added to the Ceramica family, one in matt-black high-tech ceramic and two in a softer gray tone. These three models are also the first in the family to feature automatic movements. That being said, their clear strong lines and gently curved silhouettes make them unmistakably Ceramica.
A Touch of Nostalgia
With a case size of 46mm, Rado’s HyperChrome 1616 cuts a strong masculine figure. Its boxy dial, meanwhile, is meant as an ode to the oversized aesthetics that was so popular in the ’60s. This heavyset design extends to the watch’s hands and indexes, which contrasts nicely against the vivid blue dial. This retro vibe is then further reinforced by the use of a thick textured leather strap.
Much like the aforementioned new Ceramica watches, the HyperChrome 1616 is a modern reinterpretation of a classic Rado model; in this case the Cape Horn collection from the late 1960s, with 1616 referring to the year that the actual Cape Horn was discovered. Quite fittingly, the HyperChrome’s rugged construction and 10 bar water resistance makes it an excellent choice for travelers seeking their own discoveries. A Play of Colours
Crafting a ceramic watchcase is not exactly easy. Crafting a ceramic watchcase in vivid hues is even
harder. So, this quartet of colorful additions to the True Thinline collection - dubbed True Thinline Colors - is quite a technological achievement. From a design perspective, they convey subtle luxury for a generation of wearers who are much more inclined to embrace imaginative styles.
As part of the True Thinline family, these four new watches feature detail-free dials and monochrome color schemes. Alternating matt and polished surfaces, however, add textural depth to their appearance. And then there is, of course, the four individual color schemes: inky blue, forest green, lunar gray or chocolate brown. Sharp eyed clients may notice subtle differences between each variant. The blue and gray watches, for instance, are almost entirely polished, with the most contrasting elements being the matt middle links on the bracelets.
Of course, the True Thinline Colors collection also enjoys the myriad secondary advantages of being a ceramic watch, namely being lightweight, hypoallergenic and incredibly scratch-resistant.
A Trio of Collaborations
Rado has done a lot to expand its design vocabulary through a series of collaborations with noteworthy designers. While we’ve already covered the new Rado Ceramica, three more novelties are worth looking at in detail:
The Rado Blaze sees Rado joining forces with American interior designer Sam Amoia. The end result is a glittery dial akin to a disco ball. On a more technical note, the structure of the dial replicates the crystalline structure of diamond powder. This limited edition timepiece also features gold-colored indexes and a gold Rado logo, and is housed in a 40mm plasma high-tech ceramic case.
The Rado True Phospho, meanwhile, sports a design by the renowned Big-Game design studio, which elected to create a modern take on the classic skeletonized dial. The watch features a perforated black brass dial that beautifully showcases the movement inside. Some of these holes are then filled with Super-Luminova to create beautiful geometric shapes to act as the indexes.
The Rado True Stratum, the final piece in this artistic trio, is the brainchild of leading Austrian designer Rainer Mutsch. While the dial appears at a glance like a stack of concentric circles, it is, in fact, a series of asymmetrically arranged descending steps. A perfectly centered black dot then casts its shadow on the structure, further highlighting the threedimensional depth of the design.
In short, whether it’s in the form of cutting-edge technology or ingenious design, innovation is truly alive and well at Rado.