Recently, I had the pleasure to check out a watch I’ve been enamoured by since having it hands-on in June of this year. Rado has been a brand on my radar since 2018, and the watch I’ve loved most from their catalogue is the DiaStar. From its original release in 1962, the bones and aesthetics of the DiaStar have remained relatively untouched, featuring only slight changes to fit more modern and contemporary design aesthetics.
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Fast forward to 2022, the DiaStar Original 60-year Anniversary Edition—in collaboration with Swiss designer Alfredo Häberli—is released and it looks almost identical to the original DiaStar. Today, I share my thoughts on this seminal piece from the brand.
There’s always a sense of excitement when a watch shows up at your door, but there’s a different level of excitement when you get a hands-on experience with a watch–and a model–you’ve admired from afar for years. Opening the Rado branded leather case and seeing the silver-toned beauty of the DiaStar Original 60-Year Anniversary Edition, it was so cool to see a watch that looked so modern yet held on to what has proven a truly timeless design.
The first thing I noticed, apart from the beautiful simple elegance of the composition and bracelet, was the “gem-cut” crystal over the silver dial. In standard lighting, it’s not noticeable, but when the light catches the crystal at the right angle, you’re greeted with six angled facets across the outer edges of the crystal, giving the illusion of a beautiful, clear jewel that protects the dial, adding a slight “easter egg” and hidden detail of this modern-vintage beauty.
To say I love the design is an understatement. I’ve always been a sucker for a cushion-cased watch, and the cushioned, yet slim, profile of the DiaStar creates a comfortable wearing experience but allows the presence of the watch to be perceived on the wrist. Not to mention that with a case size of 38mm, and paired with the 12.3mm case thickness, the DiaStar has excellent proportions, making it balanced and fun watch sport.
The bracelet of the DiaStar Original 60-Year Anniversary Edition matches the aesthetic perfectly. Mesh bracelets are sometimes known to be hair-pullers, but the Milanese bracelet on this watch is silky smooth and leaves each hair on my arm safely in my arm. The lack of taper on a mesh bracelet adds additional sturdiness to the wearing experience and provides a more formal aesthetic, so wearing the DiaStar as a dress piece is easy.
Powering the DiaStar Original 60-Year Anniversary Edition is the Rado R764 Automatic, previously used in the Rado Captain Cook models. It is based on the ETA 2824 and features a Nivachron hairspring for ultimate antimagnetic protection and an 80-hour power reserve.
SPECS
| Case | CeramosTM and Stainless Steel 38mm Diameter 45mm Lug to Lug 12.3mm Thick 20mm Lug Width Snap-On Caseback Push-Pull Crown 100m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Faceted Sapphire Crystal /w AR Brushed Metallic Dial Dauphine Hands Super-LumiNova |
| Movement | R764 28 000bph 25 Jewels 80-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | Stainless Steel Mesh |
DiaStar Original 60th Anniversary Edition
Of Interest
Designed and brought to fruition in 1962, the DiaStar stemmed from the idea to create a rugged and durable watch that would stay aesthetically gorgeous for generations to come. Engineers at Rado would create a new case material that would keep its lustre and shine longer than the traditional materials used in watchmaking, such as stainless steel. The result was a material Rado calls “Hardmetal,” an alloy of tungsten carbide, which created a high-polished and truly scratchproof material, perfect for daily wear. Today, Rado have pushed the envelope even further with CeramosTM –an evolution of “hardmetal” composed of 90% titanium carbide and ceramics–which is what we find in the pronounced bezel.
Quibbles
The DiaStar Original 60-Year Anniversary Edition is a gorgeous watch in many ways, but the only “quibble” I have is the bracelet. Many Milanese bracelets have a sliding adjuster to make the watch fit more securely, while the DiaStar implements a more traditional clasp and securing system with punched adjustment holes and a fixed “pin” to thread and select your sizing. While a divers extension/micro-adjustment is available, it can only extend to make the bracelet larger, not smaller. There is an included fabric strap included with the DiaStar Original 60-Year Anniversary Edition, but I would prefer to wear watches on a bracelet.
Final Thoughts
The DiaStar Original 60-Year Anniversary Edition is a fantastic addition to the DiaStar line-up and hits the sweet spot of vintage design in the contemporary world. With its Ceramos and steel construction and refined design language, the watch can be worn casually and in more formal settings, making it a great, all-around watch for any collector.
The DiaStar Original 60-Year Anniversary Edition retails for $2050USD ($2,700CAD). For more information, check out their website.
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About the Author
Born into a family obsessed with motorsport, Tyler Frederick became enamoured with speed and beautiful cars at a young age. His love of Formula 1–and all things mechanical–eventually lead him to horology. You can follow him on Instagram.
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