In contrast with other designs of the era, Rado‘s 1962 DiaStar was a stunning piece of work, breaking new ground. Its unusual and very distinctive shape, it’s extremely resistant tungsten-carbide case, became signature elements and built the watch a strong following through the decades. The latest edition launched this week continues this pioneering work, alongside other product lines, extending Rado’s creative concept “The Art of Skeletonization” and featuring yet another variant of the high-quality R808 automatic caliber, anthracite-grey coated in this version and complemented by various elements in its workings, for a lovely visual dance of contrasts.

The timepiece expressed in the most unequivocal way, the motto of Rado’s founders “If we can imagine it, we can make it. And if we can make it, we will!

The new model echoes the overall character of its forebears, but the current shape is far more refined, its contours a clear reflection of a precise design ambition.

The original DiaStar was unquestionably virile, but the latest model reflects a true coming of age; it remains masculine but is also very original and comfortably stylish.

Thanks to sapphire crystal windows on both front and back, the automatic movement can be appreciated in full technical elegance, with no need whatsoever to rush, as the new DiaStar Original Skeleton provides 80 hours of power reserve. An antimagnetic Nivachron
hairspring ensures that everything stays extremely precise and reliable, in a movement that has been tested in a full five positions.

Its open structure, and the impressive R808 skeleton movement give a lighter, airier note to the new DiaStar Original, a perfect design counterpoint inside the visual frame created by the Ceramos bezel. The darker tone is further set off by select colored elements inside the movement, or bicolor components such as the hands and indices, to add tremendous richness of contrast throughout, in an interesting composition that every watch-lover will appreciate. The floating indices, which add to the open nature of the design, and the hour and minute hands are treated with white Super-LumiNova, for great readability even in low-light conditions.

No detail was left untouched in the design phase, from smaller ones such as the clever shape of the seconds sweeper to the gorgeous front sapphire crystal, facetted on the external face with a totally eye-catching square motif reminiscent of an earlier model and treated with anti-reflective coating on the inside face. The bracelet is a very comfortable triple-row type in polished stainless steel, with an H-link design
and attractive, alternating polished/brushed elements. It is fastened by a triple-fold stainless-steel buckle for reliable safety.