Rado

Brand history

Founded 1917 by three Schlup brothers in Lengnau, in the Biel/Bienne district of Bern canton. Rado became an early pioneer of hardmetal (tungsten carbide) case construction, launching the first commercially available scratchproof watch in 1962, the DiaStar, and has remained focused on advanced materials ever since. High-tech ceramic, sapphire crystal cases, and plasma-hardened steel are now central to the catalog. Rado has been part of the Swatch Group since 1984.

Founded 1917 in Lengnau, Solothurn, by the Schlup brothers. Rado became a pioneer in hard-material case construction: the first scratch-proof watch (the DiaStar, 1962) used tungsten carbide, which at the time was virtually unscratchable by any commercially-practical means. Rado continues to lead in hard materials, the True Thinline Automatic uses an ultra-thin 5mm high-tech ceramic case that also functions as the movement base plate. The brand joined Swatch Group at the group's formation in 1983. The Centrix, True, and DiaStar lines anchor the contemporary catalog at CHF 500–2,500; the brand competes on material innovation and ultra-thin engineering rather than movement depth, which is an honest and defensible positioning.