Rado

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Rado Silver Star, circa 1980 Rado is a Swiss manufacturer of watches, with headquarters in Lengnau, Switzerland. It is noted for its use of scratch-proof materials, a field in which it is considered a pioneer.[citation needed] Today the company produces about half a million watches a year with a staff of about 300 in total.

Contents [hide] • • • • •

1 History 2 Design 3 Pricing 4 Fakes 5 Named Vintage Rado-Models of Wristwatches

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6 External links

[edit] History Formed in 1917 as Schlup & Co., Rado initially produced watch movements only. In 1957 the company launched its first collection of watches under the Rado brand. In 1962 the Rado Diastar, the world's first scratch-proof watch, was launched. It has been in production ever since, now sold as DiaStar The Original.

In 1983 Rado became part of the SMH group which was renamed in 1998 as the Swatch Group.

[edit] Design Rado differs from some of the more traditional Swiss watchmakers in that it often uses unconventional high tech materials and designs. Rado has pioneered the use of a number materials unique to watchmaking, e.g. hardmetal(tungsten- and titanium-carbide), ceramics, lanthanum and sapphire crystal. In 2004 the V10K was introduced; a watch with a coating of high tech diamond. The V10K is the hardest watch on earth. Other than the material, newer Rado watches also look very different from those from most other makers. Market reaction to this is generally mixed, with some preferring the look of the more traditional makers, and others appreciating the more distinct Rado look. During the years, the different models of Rado have received more than 20 international design awards, varying from the Red Dot Award to the If design Award.

[edit] Pricing Rado watches vary in pricing according to model, age and materials but generally a Rado will range from about US$400 to about US$28,000 for a watch made from the more precious materials.

[edit] Fakes Like many watchmakers, Rado suffers from a high level of forgeries on the market. Owing to their distinct style, Rado watches are a major target and there are many counterfeit watches on sale, particularly on the internet. To combat this,[citation needed] the company has a small list of authorized retailers in the various countries where it operates and these companies are forbidden to sell Rado watches over the internet. The prices of these fakes are usually under $200 USD.

Watches Features

People have very different tastes, especially when it comes to their fashions. It would make perfect sense that they would each prefer a very different type of wrist watch. However, there are certain features that just about everyone loves to have on their wrist watch. These features are true must haves that any watch designer or manufacturer needs to consider when creating a new line of watches for the public. Water resistant. This is most likely one of the top features that most prefer for their watch. It makes perfect sense that you would want a watch that has the ability to be water resistant. Our watches are on our wrists and often we wash our hands or handle things with our hands. A water resistant watch is an excellent quality for a dress or casual use watch. Ability to change wristbands. There are many that love their watch; they simply want the ability to change the wristband at will. Sometimes they d like to match the wristband to their outfit. Alternatively, they may prefer to change the wristband to compliment the season. They may even want to change the wristband for a fun reason like to use a holiday motif. Watches that offer switchable wristbands become more and more popular as the years go on. They are easy and convenient for you to use. This is the type of watch that can work with your wardrobe so well, as you can dress it up or down, as the occasion requires. Light up dial feature. This is a favorite feature, men especially enjoy this feature. However women also like to use this feature. The light up dial feature is very popular with anyone who socializes and goes out on the town, but must need to know what time it is. The perfect example of this is the couple who is having a wonderful evening out and realizes it is getting late, and the husband checks his watch in a dimly lit restaurant or movie theatre. Being able to check one s watch in a convenient way makes you aware of the time at any time and in any place. With the busy lives we are all leading; it is easy to see just how popular this feature can be. Today s date. There are many watches that attractively display today s date along with the time. You ll know that it is Monday, July 1st and the exact year. This type of information is very useful to have handy, in case you are writing a check or need to input information into your personal calendar or PDA system. This feature allows us to keep track of time in the larger sense, as the days go by. Comfortable wristbands. This is the type of feature that you simply do not think about, unless your watch wristband is uncomfortable. Then it is all you can think about! An uncomfortable wrist watchband can be too tight, too loose, itchy or somehow bothersome to you. When your watch wristband bothers you, this can distract you as you are trying to do daily business and tend to your family. We need dependable watches that are comfortable. When your watch is uncomfortable in some way, your first thought is to take it off. This is a big mistake for any one that has a watch, as this is the easiest way to lose your watch! Watch wristbands need to be comfortable and ideally the extendable type suited for any size wrist. You know when your watch works for you, it fits you comfortably like an old shoe as the saying goes. When you are wearing your watch, you only think about it when you need it.

Your watch is available to you, ready for you to depend on it every moment you need it. Having a watch with features, you love means that you will use it more and more. People have very different tastes, especially when it comes to their fashions. It would make perfect sense that they would each prefer a very different type of wrist watch. However, there are certain features that just about everyone loves to have on their wrist watch. These features are true must haves that any watch designer or manufacturer needs to consider when creating a new line of watches for the public. http://www.bestswiss.com Replica Rolexhttp://www.bestswiss.com Replica Watches

Tissot watches have been made for over 150 years and offer excellent value for money for those looking to by a Swiss watch from a genuine manufacturer with a pedigree in watch making. The company was founded in 1853 and has been in its present location of Le Locle in the Jura Mountains for over 150 years. It is now part of the Swatch group, whose other brands include Omega, Longines, Rado, and Calvin Klein. The Swatch Group is the largest watchmaker in the World, accounting for 25% of all sales. Tissot has been responsible for some of watchmakings firsts, including the first antimagnetic watch, the first plastic watch (Idea 2001), the first stone watch (The Rockwatch) and even the first watch made of wood (The Woodwatch). They have also been appointed as official timekeepers through the years to some of the biggest and most well known of sporting events. Tissot watches are designed for the low- to mid-price range of Swiss watches. Because of their affordability they are often the first Swiss watch someone buys. You can by a Swiss made, Tissot watch for as little as $240. The company has many collections such as the Carson, Desire, Heritage Classic, PR50, Trend Flower and T-Touch. Most watches come with a quartz movement though some comes with mechanical movements with some complications like chronograph. The Tissot Flower collection is a ladies watch with an emphasis on youthful design. The bezel consists of petals which open and close as you rotate the bezel. The petals come in an assortment of very pretty colors on enameled steel. Likewise the straps come in complementary colors of satin leather. Many of the dials are of mother-of-pearl.

The Carson collection is of traditional design; round dial, small link strap, thin arms and sparse dials with simple hour markers. The movements are mechanical automatic. The case is of stainless steel with straps available in stainless steel or a mixture of steel and gold gilt links. The collections includes both gents and ladies watches. The Heritage Classic collection features watches with rectangular cases. The movements are quartz. The watches feature two time zones. T1 is the main hour markers with T2 coming as a rectangular subdial at the 6 o'clock. The T1 dial features Roman Numerals whereas the T2 dial has simple hour markers. The overall look of these Tissot watches is of an Art Deco design. However, Tissot don't just make 'classically' styled watches. They produce some very trendy sports watches, the T-Touch being the most famous. This watch allows the user to access 11 different functions by simply touching the glass on the watch face. Among the functions available are Thermometer, Barometer, Altimeter, Compass and Meters/Imperial conversion. To underline its modernity, the casing is available in steel and titanium with white, back or silver dials. The straps are also very modern with blue, white leather, steel or rubber - the rubber strap looks especially good in Orange. Tissot watches aren't going to appeal to many watch connoisseurs or collectors, however, they will certainly appeal to those who want to own a genuine Swiss watch from a Swiss manufacturer of some standing at a price that is very affordable. Follow the links for Tissot watches and read wrist watch reviews on famous brands like Panerai, Patek Philippe and Patek Philippe watches.