Horologii

Hands-on with the 2022 Rado DiaStar Original Automatic Watch Collection

Ahead of the 60th anniversary of the Rado Diastar Original, the world’s first scratchproof watch, the Swiss manufacturer reintroduces a new core capsule collection of designs. The new 2022 Rado DiaStar Original Automatic watches come in two sizes, 27mm and 35mm, and bear all the familiar features and functions that Rado watch collectors have come to know and love.

A Brief History of the Rado DiaStar Watch

Known as the ‘Master of Materials’, Rado have an extensive history of experimentation particularly surrounding the innovation of scratch resistant materials. During the late 1950’s, the then-head of Rado asked his staff to conduct a range of experiments with the intention of creating a scratchproof watch. It was quickly evident that normal case materials weren’t up to “scratch” and so a new material had to be created. This new alloy was known as “Hardmetal”. It was created using tungsten carbide powder which was then injected into a high temperature oven and transformed into a solid material through a sintering process. Unlike surface treatments like DLC and PVD coatings which also improve a watch’s scratch resistance, Hardmetal is not a coating but an entire mass of metal with the look of stainless steel.

In 1962, Rado launched a range of watches made from Hardmetal known as the Rado DiaStar, the world’s very first scratchproof watch. The design was characterised not only by its durable architecture and sapphire crystal glass but unusual rounded, shield-like case. It found huge success over the following years and in 1987 had officially sold over 1.5 million times. The design remains one of the Swiss watch manufacturer’s most iconic pieces and a core part of their DNA, so much so that today’s DiaStar Original revives the inaugural collection. Now in honour of 60 years since the launch of the first Rado DiaStar, we are treated to a new set of six watches.

The 2022 Rado DiaStar Original Automatic Watch Collection

The new line-up of Rado DiaStar Original watches comes in a range of six styles, four of which measure to 35mm in diameter and an additional two in 27mm. The entire collection maintains the iconic shield-like appearance in hardmetal with some references opting for yellow gold coating on the bezel or across the entire case. Despite their unconventional shape, the 35mm Rado DiaStar Original watches sit pleasantly low on the wrist with a height of 11.9mm while the 27mm references are 10.7mm tall. Assisting with the scratch resistant cases is a sapphire crystal glass and a 30 metre water resistant rating.

For the dials of the Rado Diastar Original Automatic watches, you can choose from black or gold in the 35mm models both set with diamond dot indexes. There is also an unmissable full gemstone display paired with a yellow gold hardmetal case. It comes adorned with white gemstones at the centre and blue gemstones for the hour markers. Both 27mm models opt for classic gold centrepieces and diamond dot indices. The displays feature baton-shaped hands for the hours and minutes, both with Superluminova inserts, a slender seconds hand and the iconic Rado logo and its free spinning anchor motif at 12 o’clock. The 35mm Rado Diastar watches also deliver a clever horizonal day and date window at 6 o’clock while the 27mm models opt for a classic date-only complication.

Powering the new 2022 Rado DiaStar Original models is a Swiss made automatic movement offering a power reserve of up to 38 hours. Each design also comes complete with a stainless steel bracelet, some fully finished in steel, others two-toned and some models pairing their gold-coated hardmetal cases with matching gold bracelets.

If you’d like to learn more about the new Rado DiaStar Original Automatic watch collection and shop some of these models for yourself, head over to the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.