Discussion
Hello timepiece gurus. I have more than a reasonable interest in watches, and have a small collection that, whilst inexpensive, errs on the side of “left-field” to the norm. I love small, individual watch firms (my everyday watch is an MHD, and my dress watch is a Dunhill) although I have the obligatory Seiko SKX009 as a decent diver.
I have recently started to look at older watches, and whilst I’d love a Seiko Pogue (my father had one in the 70s) my budget won’t stretch. I’ve recently seen the Rado Diastar and it has piqued my interest in getting a 1960’s watch, and they look incredible value.
Does anyone know much about them, or their respective values? I’ve seen a few on the ‘Bay at under £100 and this seems to be a lot of watch with a great history, for a frankly ridiculously low price.
All help and thoughts greatly received.
I have recently started to look at older watches, and whilst I’d love a Seiko Pogue (my father had one in the 70s) my budget won’t stretch. I’ve recently seen the Rado Diastar and it has piqued my interest in getting a 1960’s watch, and they look incredible value.
Does anyone know much about them, or their respective values? I’ve seen a few on the ‘Bay at under £100 and this seems to be a lot of watch with a great history, for a frankly ridiculously low price.
All help and thoughts greatly received.
- just noticed he predictive text has the subject header as Radio. I obviously meant RADO......
nikaiyo2 said:
There are a LOT of very badly re-dialled Rados on eBay.
I would be very cautious of anything from India or Thailand.
Oh, I would be, without doubt. The ones I’ve seen tend to be from the US. I’m sort of familiar with the values of Rolex, Omega, etc, but the smaller brands like Rado I’m not, hence me asking.I would be very cautious of anything from India or Thailand.
The original Diastar has a tungsten carbide case & sapphire crystal. It's incredibly difficult to scratch. The movement is ETA.
These date from the mid 60's to the early 70's.
Gold coloured Diastars are pretty common, especially in India and the Far East. More rare & to my mind much nicer are the silver cased ones. I have a silver chronometer Diastar with a faceted crystal. A complete anachronism as the crystal makes it impossible to read accurately.
There are two designs of faceted crystals and a non-faceted one if you actually want to be able to read the watch.
Look for one with the original NSA bracelet. The buckle should say RADO on the outside. The bracelet is very comfy & sets the watch off nicely. The bracelet alone is worth £100 to £140.
The anchor logo should spin freely. If it doesn't, its a sign that the oil in the watch may have dried and clogged. Rado say you're supposed to clean and oil it at the same time as servicing the movement. However, I have had mine serviced and my watchmaker declined to oil the anchor and so mine definitely doesn't spin.
These are very blingy dress watches.
Here's a non-chrono on a original NSA. Note the faceted sapphire crystal.
At under £100 I suspect may be looking at a Mumbai monster.
These date from the mid 60's to the early 70's.
Gold coloured Diastars are pretty common, especially in India and the Far East. More rare & to my mind much nicer are the silver cased ones. I have a silver chronometer Diastar with a faceted crystal. A complete anachronism as the crystal makes it impossible to read accurately.
There are two designs of faceted crystals and a non-faceted one if you actually want to be able to read the watch.
Look for one with the original NSA bracelet. The buckle should say RADO on the outside. The bracelet is very comfy & sets the watch off nicely. The bracelet alone is worth £100 to £140.
The anchor logo should spin freely. If it doesn't, its a sign that the oil in the watch may have dried and clogged. Rado say you're supposed to clean and oil it at the same time as servicing the movement. However, I have had mine serviced and my watchmaker declined to oil the anchor and so mine definitely doesn't spin.
These are very blingy dress watches.
Here's a non-chrono on a original NSA. Note the faceted sapphire crystal.
At under £100 I suspect may be looking at a Mumbai monster.
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