Rado

The story of Rado begins in 1917 in Lengnau, in the Bernese Jura, where three brothers establish a small watchmaking workshop called Schlup & Co. Initially specializing in the manufacture of movements for other brands, they develop over the years precise know-how and a modern, forward-looking vision. After the Second World War, the company decides to market its own watches under the name Rado— a decisive turning point in its history.

In 1957, Rado launched its first collection, the Golden Horse, marking the start of its aesthetic identity. A few years later, in 1962, the DiaStar 1 revolutionized watchmaking with its hard metal case and sapphire crystal, becoming the first scratch-resistant watch in the world. This model firmly established the brand’s reputation for its pursuit of resistance and durability.

In the decades that followed, Rado continued to explore innovative materials. High-tech ceramic made its debut in the 1980s, giving the watches exceptional lightness and resistance. Then, in the 2000s, plasma ceramic delivered an unprecedented metallic effect, without using metal itself— solidifying Rado’s position as a pioneer of materials.

Today, the Captain Cook, Centrix, True Square, or DiaMaster collections embody this legacy: Swiss watches where technical precision meets a clean, contemporary design.

While each Rado watch has its own character, they all share a single signature: high-tech ceramic. Now an iconic material for the brand, it provides remarkable scratch resistance, great lightness, and long-lasting comfort on the wrist.

Thanks to exclusive manufacturing processes, Rado shapes ceramic in shades of rare purity and brilliance. The plasma version, developed in the 2000s, creates a unique metallic effect without resorting to metal itself.

These advances illustrate Rado’s commitment to combining technical innovation with timeless aesthetic appeal— a know-how that sets the brand apart in Swiss watchmaking.