Discussion
Tried on a gents Rado about a year ago, 38mm black and gold ceramic case and bracelet. It was very comfortable - light weight, smooth finish to the bracelet which wrapped to the wrist easily. I was close to buying but the price wasn't quite right (i.e. full RRP up front, no return) and the one I wanted (a slightly different model) wasn't in stock. Certainly a watch I wouldn't mind finding under the tree.
The "very hard metal" comment may come from experience; trying to describe ceramic as tough pottery could make potential customers wary of it breaking if they knock it too hard. Material science and people's intuition don't always tally.
The "very hard metal" comment may come from experience; trying to describe ceramic as tough pottery could make potential customers wary of it breaking if they knock it too hard. Material science and people's intuition don't always tally.
rich83 said:
Are they any good? Look at the ceramic true (white one) for my wife for xmas. I am struggling to find one on the highstreet to have a look at to gauge quality.
Rich
Leonard Dews in Blackpool had a couple of these in their window last time I was looking a couple of weeks back heavily reduced-i think they could have been half price.Maybe worth a call.Rich
There's not much chat about Rado, probably due to the design language more than anything else. They pioneered the use of ceramic and hard metal technologies (the two aren't the same) and, IMO, make some interesting watches.
Here's mine, so I've put my money where my mouth is
Here's mine, so I've put my money where my mouth is
Edited by CardShark on Tuesday 2nd December 22:27
The dressier styles are usually ceramic, the chunkier more casual diver styles may use the hard metal cases. Both are scratch resistant, especially the ceramic models which is why Rado originally introduced them, though for some models it's only the case that's ceramic and not the bracelet as well. My watch has a ceramic case and doesn't have a single mark on it despite having a highly polished finish, the bracelet is steel however (with a titanium clasp) and the finish on that picks up fine swirls though they're easy to polish out.
Some more pics The comment about stripping back the collection has since proven to be a load of bull though 
OP - the bottom line is that you won't go wrong in terms of quality with Rado, however that doesn't necessarily take precedent over what you think she'll like to wear IYSWIM.
OP - the bottom line is that you won't go wrong in terms of quality with Rado, however that doesn't necessarily take precedent over what you think she'll like to wear IYSWIM.
MarsellusWallace said:
Leonard Dews in Blackpool had a couple of these in their window last time I was looking a couple of weeks back heavily reduced-i think they could have been half price.Maybe worth a call.
Wrong ones.... :-(
Edited by rich83 on Wednesday 3rd December 11:29
Looks like bought now so a bit late to the party, I have the jubilee on leather strap lovely looking watch and after over ten years not a mark on it. Bought the wife one full ceramic she wears it to work and abuses it and again not a mark on it. They are in the main only a Quartz watch but IMHO they are very well made for the price point they sell at.
rich83 said:
I must admit they look lovely. I dont think id like one for everyday wear, as I would be afraid of scratching the high polished case.
You'd have to go some to scratch one. Ceramics typically have a hardness similar to sapphire so, unless you're in the habit of rubbing your watch up against diamonds, the finish is pretty safe I bought one recently through SWD. We were able to get a model which none of the retailers could source. It seems that there is a wider choice in Europe than what is for sale in UK.
It is a very cool and high quality watch, nice material and great to wear. Personally I like the black ones. Ceramic is as said a very high tech basically clay material. However if they make parts of the space shuttle, and brakes for McLaren, Porsche and Aston Martin from it, you can be fairly sure that it is top quality.
It is a very cool and high quality watch, nice material and great to wear. Personally I like the black ones. Ceramic is as said a very high tech basically clay material. However if they make parts of the space shuttle, and brakes for McLaren, Porsche and Aston Martin from it, you can be fairly sure that it is top quality.
The Ceramics won't scratch, but they will shatter if you drop them on something hard enough.
Good brand though. I have an early 60's Diastar chronometer with a tungsten case and a faceted saphire crystal. At 50 years old it's older than I am and there's not a mark on it. Wish I could say the same.
Good brand though. I have an early 60's Diastar chronometer with a tungsten case and a faceted saphire crystal. At 50 years old it's older than I am and there's not a mark on it. Wish I could say the same.
most of the range are quartz and expensive for that. Some of their more recent stuff is quite nice
nearly bought this but it say awkward on my wrist
http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/2088436/ra...
nearly bought this but it say awkward on my wrist
http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/2088436/ra...
I have three:
The first a present from the contractor when I worked in Saudi 1983 ... Jubilee with leather strap and still as good as new
The second a present to myself about 15 years ago bought in Lanzarote ... Jubilee with four diamonds and date ... my everyday watch
The third a copy bought in Sharm about 5 years ago and still going strong
The missus has two ... one ladies Jubilee from Turkey and an Egyptian copy with fake diamonds
I like RADO
The first a present from the contractor when I worked in Saudi 1983 ... Jubilee with leather strap and still as good as new
The second a present to myself about 15 years ago bought in Lanzarote ... Jubilee with four diamonds and date ... my everyday watch
The third a copy bought in Sharm about 5 years ago and still going strong
The missus has two ... one ladies Jubilee from Turkey and an Egyptian copy with fake diamonds
I like RADO
Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff