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When's the last time I bought anything vintage?
So I came across this previously unseen Rado box for a really good price. Based on how it compares to a few non-Rado boxes I have I guess late 50s/early 60s.
P5020368 by Hank Blanc, on Flickr
It also came with a hang tag. I am not sure what the writing implies. The watch box came from Argentina, so I do not know what the C (?) T stands for.
P5020370 by Hank Blanc, on Flickr
Solve all your doubts through question mode.
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NOS 36 mm hand wind Starliner. Introduced in 1957 it has been claimed to be Rado's first all original design. It has been suggested that the Horses were refreshed Exacto designs.
The Ref 11550 seems to predate the patented bayonet case, though the engraving seems consistent with slightly later models. The reference numbers are no help at all, as some 115XX references date from the late 50s and some run from the mid 60s through to 1970 or so. At least one ad suggests that the 11547, a gold plated hand wind Starliner has the bayonet back. I guess that is why there can be ten consecutive reference numbers for the same model...
A couple of other interesting things is that often the crowns were the old R signed crowns, while this has an anchor, and the super early Diastar style hands. The automatic versions generally had dauphine hands. BoR bracelets were also much more common than 7 rows.
I actually harboured some doubts about this, but the price ad the case both appealed to me. Between the sellers other offerings ad having now inspected it, I am pretty confident of it's authenticity.
Ever wonder what a 65 year old gasket looks like. Check it out in the photos of this nice and clean AS 1803 hand cranker.
P5020384 by Hank Blanc, on Flickr
P5020387 by Hank Blanc, on Flickr
Last edited by Henry Krinkle; May 3, 2022 at 10:29 AM.
Solve all your doubts through question mode.
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Moderator
Congrats Hank, apart from the gasket it looks pristine. The hands are similar but not identical to the early "0" hands, as they don't have the lume slots. Just a guess but maybe the C & T means something like inc tax, because the currency was the Peso.
Last edited by Tim.; May 3, 2022 at 10:43 AM.
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Member
Congratulations Henry, very nice watch.
It could be a GT on the tag.
Btw, should anyone see a Diastar 40yrs chronometer anywhere, please let me know.
Regards
Peter
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Great catch Henry
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Moderator
Absolutely stunning mate, great find.
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