The DiaStar is rather a historic model for watch manufacture Rado, with the timepiece appearing only five years after the brand’s founding back in 1957. The first 1962 DiaStar quickly gained a following for its distinctive shape and extremely resistant tungsten-carbide case – a highly unusual material for a watch both then and now. Following the model’s 60th anniversary last year, when Rado launched a new model with a ‘Rado Ceramos’ case, the horology house is now offering up a skeletonised version. Say hello to the sleek DiaStar Original Skeleton.
The refined new case measures 38 mm x 45 mm, combined with a height 11.9 mm. While the large bezel is polished Ceramos, the middle part of the case is polished steel. As the self-proclaimed ‘Master of Materials’, Rado’s use of Ceramos on the DiaStar Original Skeleton‘s broad bezel is of great importance.
As a ceramic and metal alloy, it simultaneously provides lightness, durability and scratch resistance alongside a handsome appearance. Furthermore, Ceramos will never oxidise, meaning its aesthetic should not change over time. No wonder, then, that Rado is working to replace all of its steel and PVD-covered case models with Ceramos.
Skeletonisation is very much in focus at Rado at the moment, meaning it’s little surprise that the DiaStar Original Skeleton is entering the scene. The watch’s airy black dial thus reveals the inner workings of the watch, while clearly displaying the time with floating yellow-gold indices and matching hands filled with Super-LumiNova for round-the-clock legibility. This contrasts well with the anthracite-grey coating of the exposed calibre. Last but not least, Rado protect this attractive skeletonised dial with facetted anti-reflective sapphire crystal.
Meanwhile, the movement on show for the wearer of the DiaStar Original Skeleton is the calibre R808. This pioneering automatic calibre integrates an antimagnetic Nivachron hairspring, which ensures that the timepiece stays extremely precise and reliable. The calibre R808, which the manufacture tests in no less than five positions, has a solid 80-hour power reserve alongside a frequency of 3 Hz. Thanks to the sapphire crystal caseback, the owner of the watch can admire the movement from both sides.
The Rado DiaStar Original Skeleton comes with a steel triple-row bracelet that alternates between brushed and polished finishing. A triple-fold stainless-steel buckle secures the bracelet to the wrist. Finally, the new timepiece is available for purchase in stores and online for 2,150 euros.
