The Best Rado Watches On The Market Right Now

Rado is one of Switzerland’s most interesting luxury watchmakers, as a brand that’s managed the delicate balance between celebrating its history and focusing on the future with an expert touch. Collections like the heritage-inspired Captain Cook have been endlessly popular, while futuristic watches such as the Anatom are one of the watchmaker’s best contemporary releases.

One piece of history that Rado doesn’t get enough credit for is its pioneering work with ceramic as a material in watches, which today is ubiquitous across the watchmaking industry and used for everything from cases and bezels to hour markers. Back in 1962, Rado debuted the DiaStar with a tungsten carbide case and bezel, two decades earlier than the next Swiss watchmaker to release the first “pure” ceramic case.

It’s a brand with a fascinating history, and one that every watch enthusiast should experience on their wrist at some point in their collecting journey. If you’re considering the purchase of a Rado, you’ve made a good choice, which is why we wanted to highlight a few of the best models in the range.

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Rado Captain Cook Over-Pole Limited Edition

Everyone needs at least one gold-toned watch in their collection, and Rado’s latest Captain Cook Over-Pole Worldtime might just be it. Limited to 1,962 pieces, this vintage-inspired travel watch delivers timeless charm with a yellow gold PVD finish (there’s also a full steel version available), worldtimer bezel, and 80-hour manual-wind movement.

A sunray silver dial, bi-directional ceramic bezel, and quick-change strap system round out a compelling daily companion for the jet set. Whether you’re chasing nostalgia or just like your wristwear with a bit of dazzle, this golden-age throwback gets the details right, but without shouting for attention.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 37mm
• Case Thickness: 10.9mm
• Case Material: Stainless steel with yellow gold PVD coating
• Bezel Material: PVD High-Tech Ceramic
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel with yellow gold PVD coating (additional leather strap)
• Dial Colour: Silver
• Water Resistance: 100m
• Movement: R862 Worldtimer manual-winding
• Power Reserve: 80 hours

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Rado Anatom Automatic

Rado’s Anatom is what happens when you take 1980s futurism, add a touch of Swiss eccentricity, and run it through 40 years of material innovation. First launched in 1983, the Anatom was a curveball in every sense, defined by its domed sapphire crystal and seamless ergonomics on the wrist.

Fast-forward to today, and this revamped Plasma High-Tech Ceramic model still feels like a concept watch made real. With an organically sculpted case, integrated HTC-steel bracelet, and 72-hour movement, it’s sleek, lightweight, and thoroughly space-age.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 32.5mm
• Case Thickness: 11.3mm
• Case Material: Plasma High-Tech Ceramic and stainless steel with rose gold PVD coating
• Bezel Material: Plasma High-Tech Ceramic
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Plasma High-Tech Ceramic and stainless steel with rose gold PVD coating
• Dial Colour: Grey
• Water Resistance: 50m
• Movement: R766 calibre
• Power Reserve: 72 hours

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Rado Golden Horse Automatic

Legacy reissues can be a minefield, but Rado’s Golden Horse 1957 gets it gloriously right. Faithful to the original down to its 37mm case and spinning anchor logo, it’s a vintage tribute that skips the faux patina and embraces authentic mid-century charm.

The blue-to-inky-black dial, the polished markers, and the razor-sharp lugs feel refined beyond the price tag, while the “beads of rice” bracelet is effortlessly comfortable. Backed by an 80-hour automatic movement and limited to 1,957 pieces, it’s a reminder that sometimes, the best new watch is one that already existed.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 37mm
• Case Thickness: 10.8mm
• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Bezel Material: Stainless steel
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Stainless steel
• Dial Colour: Blue gradient
• Water Resistance: 50m
• Movement: R763 calibre
• Power Reserve: 80 hours

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Rado DiaStar Original x Tej Chauhan Special Edition

Rado’s DiaStar Original x Tej Chauhan is anything but subtle, serving up a bold remix of the iconic 1962 DiaStar in a collaboration that channels retro-futurist flair through the lens of industrial designer Tej Chauhan. The 38mm yellow gold-tone Ceramos case pairs high-tech ceramic and metal in a seamless fusion of style and substance, capped with a faceted sapphire crystal and anchored by a pillowy grey rubber strap.

The matte black dial pops with neon blue accents, the silver-blue minute track, and a custom font that brings a different colour to each day of the week. Beneath the dial, the R764 automatic calibre delivers 80 hours of power and modern reliability with a Nivachron hairspring and regulation in five positions.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 38mm
• Case Thickness: 11.7mm
• Case Material: Stainless steel with gold PVD coating
• Bezel Material: Ceramos with yellow gold PVD coating
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Rubber
• Dial Colour: Black
• Water Resistance: 100m
• Movement: R764 calibre
• Power Reserve: 50 hours

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Rado Captain Cook Automatic Bronze

The Rado Captain Cook Bronze is the kind of watch that just might make you rethink your stance on bronze. A vintage-inspired diver wrapped in 42mm of CuAl bronze – the kind that won’t tarnish like traditional bronze – it lands somewhere between rugged tool and refined style piece, with a charming green sunburst dial and matching green ceramic bezel.

The case also guarantees 300m of water resistance, while the swivelling anchor logo and boxed sapphire crystal nod to its 1962 heritage. The Rado Captain Cook Bronze is powered by the reliable ETA C07 movement, which boasts an 80-hour power reserve, and all of which combines on the wrist into a package that’s Rado through and through.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 42mm
• Case Thickness: 12.5mm
• Case Material: Bronze
• Bezel Material: High-Tech Ceramic
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Leather
• Dial Colour: Green
• Water Resistance: 300m
• Movement: R763 calibre
• Power Reserve: 80 hours

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Rado True Square Automatic Skeleton

The Rado True Square Skeleton combines cutting-edge materials with a distinctly architectural design. Featuring a 38mm monobloc case crafted from matte plasma high-tech ceramic, and housing the openworked R808 movement with an 80-hour power reserve.

Beneath the sapphire crystal, a sandblasted skeleton top plate floats above a brushed base, punctuated by crisp white Super-LumiNova markers to ensure easy time-telling in any lighting conditions. The plasma ceramic bracelet blends seamlessly into a titanium clasp, offering lightweight comfort and a very futuristic appeal.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 38mm
• Case Thickness: 9.7mm
• Case Material: Plasma High-Tech Ceramic
• Bezel Material: Plasma High-Tech Ceramic
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Plasma High-Tech Ceramic
• Dial Colour: Skeleton
• Water Resistance: 50m
• Movement: R808 skeleton calibre
• Power Reserve: 80 hours

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Rado DiaStar Original

Rado’s Diastar Original returned in 2022 with a faithful nod to its 1962 roots, except this time in a form that’s sharper, stronger, and dressed for the modern era. Celebrating 60 years since its debut as the world’s first scratchproof watch, this refreshed icon boasts a 38mm case with a gleaming Ceramos™ bezel, faceted sapphire crystal, and that unmistakable oval silhouette.

While it’s available in a few different dial brushed colours, green is our pick of the bunch, with its vertical day-date display and spinning anchor logo. Beneath the steel caseback ticks the upgraded R764 automatic movement with an 80-hour reserve and Nivachron hairspring.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 38mm
• Case Thickness: 12.1mm
• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Bezel Material: Stainless steel
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Stainless steel
• Dial Colour: Green
• Water Resistance: 100m
• Movement: R764 calibre
• Power Reserve: 80 hours

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Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton

One of Rado’s latest evolutions of the Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton arrives in a moody navy-blue tone, showcasing the brand’s continued mastery of ceramic watchmaking. This edition featured a matte high-tech ceramic case paired with a polished bezel, while the skeletonised dial, shielded by tinted sapphire, remains easy to read thanks to bold indices, luminous hands, and a generously coated arrowhead hour marker.

You’ll spot the rhodium-plated anchor floating at 12 o’clock, while the open caseback reveals a matching blue PVD rotor, powering the R808 movement to an 80-hour power reserve. If the vintage-inspired Captain Cook models aren’t for you, this thoroughly modern build is a no-nonsense alternative.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 43mm
• Case Thickness: 14.6mm
• Case Material: High-Tech Ceramic
• Bezel Material: High-Tech Ceramic
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Rubber
• Dial Colour: Blue
• Water Resistance: 300m
• Movement: R808 calibre
• Power Reserve: 80 hours

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Rado Coupole Classic Automatic

The Rado Coupole Classic Automatic is one of the brand’s most classically designed wristwatches. Housed in a 41mm stainless steel case with rose gold-tone PVD coating (water resistant to 50m), the elegant dial features both a discreet date window and an eye-catching power reserve indicator.

Inside, you’ll find the automatic R772 calibre, which has been regulated in five positions to ensure long-lasting accuracy, and features an 80-hour reserve and a Nivachron hairspring for anti-magnetic protection. No, it doesn’t have the same boundary-pushing approach to design that so many of the other best Rado watches have, but its timeless classicism and blue dial make for a watch that will look just as good in 50 years as it does today.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Case Diameter: 41mm
• Case Thickness: 11.7mm
• Case Material: Stainless steel with rose gold PVD coating
• Bezel Material: Stainless steel with rose gold PVD coating
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Leather
• Dial Colour: Blue
• Water Resistance: 50m
• Movement: R772 calibre
• Power Reserve: 50 hours

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