Rado - Kriens - No reserve price - 262003 - Men - 1970-1979

Now available at auction from Second Vintage

A vibrant and highly characteristic 1970s Rado design, this Kriens features a striking green to gold gradient fumé dial anchored by the brand's signature rotating logo. The distinctive tonneau stainless steel case and vibrant vertical brushed dial texture offer a highly expressive aesthetic from a bold era of watchmaking, paired with a highly dependable automatic caliber.

Brand: Rado
Model: Kriens
Reference Number: 262003
Movement: Automatic ETA 2824
Dial: Green to gold gradient fumé with vertical brushing and red date
Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown)
Case Material: Stainless steel
Production Year: 1970s
Condition: Excellent vintage condition. Timegrapher: +12+16s/day, performing remarkably well.

Dial and Hands
The vibrant and exceptionally clean vintage dial presents a striking green to gold gradient fumé finish, elevated by a distinct vertical brushing texture. Applied faceted indices and the signature Rado rotating anchor logo provide excellent depth, while a red date display at three o'clock adds a sharp visual contrast. The surface shows no visible staining, moisture damage, or significant patina. Original baton style hands with luminous inserts sweep across the dial, displaying very light age-appropriate patina with minor surface oxidation visible under macro inspection. The lume appears intact and matches the dial indices perfectly.

Case and Crystal
The stainless steel case exhibits well-preserved 1970s geometry with honest signs of light wear. Its chunky tonneau shape integrates the domed acrylic crystal directly into the design, omitting a traditional separate bezel for a seamless look. The case features a brushed top surface contrasting with polished flanks, where light surface scratches and scuffs are visible. The edges remain relatively well-defined, and the caseback shows minor wear while retaining clear engravings. A knurled crown, signed with the Rado anchor logo, sits in good condition with a defined logo. The domed acrylic crystal displays some light surface scratches and scuffs visible in reflections.

Movement
Powering the watch is an automatic movement based on the reliable ETA caliber 2824. The mechanism features a decorated rotor signed by Rado and indicates twenty-five jewels. The movement appears clean with no visible corrosion or significant marks. Recording +12+16s/day on the timegrapher. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece.

Strap
The watch is fitted with a modern black leather strap featuring white contrast stitching. The strap is in near-new condition with minimal wear, complementing the vintage tonneau case beautifully.

Condition
Excellent vintage condition. The dial is exceptionally clean and vibrant, free of significant patina or moisture damage. The original hands show only minor surface oxidation under magnification. The tonneau case remains well-preserved, presenting honest light surface scratches and scuffs on the polished flanks and caseback. The domed acrylic crystal bears some light scratches visible in reflections. Supported by the strong timegrapher results, the automatic movement is performing brilliantly.

Dimensions
The case measures 35 mm in diameter, excluding the crown.

Remarks
This Rado Kriens is a fantastic expression of 1970s design language. The brilliant green to gold fumé dial with its vertical brushing is a visual standout, while the dependable ETA 2824 movement ensures highly capable mechanical performance. It is a charismatic and reliable vintage watch for any collection.

History
Rado is renowned for its bold design choices and innovative use of materials, particularly coming into its own during the 1960s and 1970s. The brand frequently utilized distinctive case shapes and vibrant dials, setting itself apart from more conservative Swiss manufacturers. The Kriens model line reflects this era of experimentation, combining unconventional tonneau geometry with highly textured, colorful dials. The inclusion of the ETA 2824, a robust and celebrated automatic caliber introduced in the early 1970s, provided these expressive watches with a highly dependable mechanical foundation that remains respected by collectors today.

Payment and Shipping
Payment must be completed within 1–3 days after purchase.
Your watch will be professionally and securely packaged, then shipped with tracking and insurance for your peace of mind.
We use fast express shipping, with typical delivery within 1–4 business days, depending on the destination.
Please note that vintage watches may show minor signs of wear, aging, or imperfections, which are considered normal for watches of this age.
We kindly ask you to review all photos carefully before bidding. We photograph each watch from multiple angles to provide the most accurate representation possible, and the photos form an important part of the description.
The timegrapher assessment if provided is seen as an indication of the movement’s condition under fully wound testing conditions. As with all vintage watches, results may vary in daily use.
If you have any concerns regarding functionality or defects after delivery, please contact us within 3 days of receiving the watch so we can assist you.
As with all used watches, water resistance is not guaranteed.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us after the auction ends.

/ Second Vintage

SKU: RAD-KXX-0008