Rado Balboa V Automatic – 1970s vintage with gold-tone textured dial with brown fumé edges, date, gold-plated barrel case, on its RADO-signed two-tone bracelet. PLEASE NOTE: the BALBOA print at 6 o'clock is partly worn with letter fragments missing, and there is dust and dirt build-up on the dark inner ring under the crystal, most visible between 10 and 12 o'clock and along the lower edge. The gold plating of the two-tone bracelet shows significant wear on the centre rows with brassy, dull patches and plating loss, and there are dark, rust-coloured spots on the clasp cover and some centre beads, with dents and plating loss on the clasp cover plate. The gold tone of the case back and flanks is dull and mottled with light scuffs. The caseback carries no reference or serial number, so the exact production year cannot be confirmed. No spare links are included. Please check the photos carefully before bidding. Overview A 1970s Rado Balboa V, the barrel-shaped TV-style design of the Balboa line, with a gold-tone bark-textured dial that shades to dark tobacco brown at the edges and a dark outer minute ring with white printed track. Applied RADO logo under the Rado anchor emblem in a red circle at 12 o'clock, applied gold V device above the BALBOA signature at 6 o'clock, applied gold rectangular baton indices with cream luminous inserts and a gold-framed date window at 3 o'clock with red numerals. Gold-tone baton hands with luminous strips and a silver seconds hand. Gold-plated tonneau case with a polished front, chamfered polished bevels and satin side facets, a fluted gold-tone crown at 3 o'clock and a steel caseback with a raised octagonal faceted centre. Fitted with a flexible two-tone rice-bead bracelet with steel outer rows and gold-tone centre rows, tubular end sections and a fold-over clasp with a gold-tone cover stamped RADO with the anchor. Specifications - Brand: Rado - Model: Balboa V – dial signed RADO / BALBOA with applied V device - Reference: not marked on the caseback - Movement: automatic (movement not photographed; calibre and jewel count not confirmed) - Case: gold-plated tonneau case with steel caseback, no markings on the caseback, crown at 3 o'clock - Case diameter: approx. 36 mm (left to right, excluding the crown) - Dial: gold-tone textured with brown fumé edges, applied indices with luminous inserts, date at 3 o'clock - Crystal: domed with faceted rim, clear, no chips seen - Bracelet: two-tone steel and gold-tone rice-bead bracelet with RADO-signed fold-over clasp, inner clasp stamped RADO STAINLESS STEEL - Bracelet size: fits a wrist of approx. 18 cm as pictured; no spare links included - Total weight: approx. 103.8 g - Year of production: 1970s (no serial number; exact year not confirmed) Condition Used vintage watch in good condition with visible signs of wear. Crystal: clear, no chips or obvious scratches. Dial and hands: attractive patina, BALBOA print partly worn, dust in the inner ring; luminous material aged cream. Case: front clean with light hairlines; back and flanks dull and mottled with light scuffs; no dents. Caseback: light hairline scratches on the facets, no markings. Bracelet: significant plating wear on the gold-tone centre rows, rust-coloured spots on some beads and the clasp cover, plating wear on the end sections. Clasp: dents and plating loss on the cover plate, mechanism intact. Please refer to the photos for the exact condition. Working order The watch is running as pictured. Timekeeping accuracy and water resistance have not been tested with professional equipment. Please consider this a vintage watch around fifty years old that may require servicing at some point. Included Watch and bracelet only. No box, papers or accessories. Shipping Ships from Japan. Registered and insured shipping, mainly via DHL or FedEx. Import duties or taxes may apply depending on the buyer's country. These charges must be paid by the buyer. No weekend shipping as courier pickups are unavailable on Saturdays and Sundays. Please feel free to contact me with any questions before placing your bid.