Hank's rules for vintage Rados

[93EXCivic]

One day I will buy a vintage Rado but I don't think it will be this year.

[Henry Krinkle]

This photo very clearly shows the anchor that is cast into the crystal;

P3170210 by Hank Blanc, on Flickr

And this is a typical Rado clasp used from 1962 through to around about 1975

P3170200 by Hank Blanc, on Flickr

[movet22]

-Until you know better, don't buy a Voyager.

Let's talk about this one. I googled the collection and love what I am seeing. Why is this such a perilous proposition?

Also - this thread is amazing and super dangerous.

[scottjc]

Let's talk about this one. I googled the collection and love what I am seeing. Why is this such a perilous proposition?

Also - this thread is amazing and super dangerous.

Sadly the vast majority of Voyagers for sale are franken-Rados. There's one or two sellers that seem to have hundreds of cases, and non-authentic display casebacks, and put watches together that they sell for huge sums.

[watch carefully]

Nice work, Hank.
I'll add a few comments...
Regarding "If you can see the movement and it does not have a Rado logo on the rotor do not buy it." There is a notable exception:
http://www.watchcarefully.com/invent...amaster10.html

I would also add some details about the pre-1973 reference numbers (mostly 5-digit, but some smaller watches for women had 4- or 3-digit references) and the post-1972 models having the format of 123.4567.8.
And potential buyers should know that other numbers stamped on the case (aside from those beginning with K, probably signifying made in/for Japanese market) are NOT Rado-issued reference numbers or serial numbers (the latter being found only on chronometer movements) and are not useful for estimating the manufacture date.

I agree, never buy a Companion. And be wary that almost all SuperTime and other T-cased Thai models are Frankenrados.

[watch carefully]

How could we forget that?
Also, silver rotating anchor should be in a silver coloured case.

Good one! Also, silver hands, markers and logo are generally not found in gold or two-tone cases.
Case in point is the Murano...though it is cased in steel, the 2-tone model's only gold elements are the little bezel ring and the dial appliqués.

Automatics and most electro-mechanicals have rotating anchor.
Mineral dials almost never do, even if automatic otherwise, fixed anchor (e.g., early quartz) or painted anchor, means NOT automatic.

[watch carefully]

yes been some interesting thread on rado and some great pics maybe we need a thread where all the links are located on them. there's been some stunning pics from memory

I certainly do not intend to lure people away from here permanently by this post, but if you're seriously interested in learning about Rado, check here:
http://www.equationoftime.com/forums...ant-RADO-Links
It is an attempt by myself and a lot of dedicated Rado collectors to provide a one-stop shop for info on Rado, to facilitate collecting, discussion and to thwart the propogation of mis-information! I am happy to update this page with pertinent information suggested by the rado collector community. I would certainly add a link to IWL if a really useful page/thread is located here--let me know!

[tribe125]

Moved to RADO forum.

[Tim.]

Moved to RADO forum.

Thank you.

[Henry Krinkle]

Moved to RADO forum.

Cheers!