Rado - Golden Horse - No reserve price - 11896 - Men - 1970-1979

Now available at auction from Second Vintage

This classic Rado Golden Horse design presents a highly compelling opportunity, defined by an exceptionally clean vertically brushed silver dial and a distinctive fluted bezel. The watch delivers a strong visual presence on the wrist, backed by a bright, well-preserved automatic movement that continues to perform beautifully.

Brand: Rado
Model: Golden Horse
Reference Number: 11896
Serial Number: 17641151
Movement: Automatic, caliber AS 1858, 25 jewels
Dial: Silver vertically brushed with applied indices
Case Size: 35mm (excluding the crown)
Case Material: Stainless steel
Production Year: 1970s
Condition: Excellent vintage condition. Timegrapher: -6-9s/day, performing remarkably well.

Dial and Hands
The silver vertically brushed dial is exceptionally clean and well-preserved. Applied indices and the Rado logos remain bright, while all printed text is crisp and fully intact. There is no significant spotting or staining visible across the surface. The baton hands are clean with minimal oxidation, completing the dial perfectly. Lume plots on the hands appear fully intact and match the dial lume, creating a highly cohesive and well-preserved aesthetic.

Case and Crystal
The stainless steel case displays honest wear consistent with age. The polished case flanks show moderate surface scratches and scuffs, and while the lugs retain their general shape, they exhibit signs of wear and possible light polishing. The distinctive fluted bezel shows some wear and softening of the edges, along with some dirt or residue visible in the recesses of the fluting. The caseback has light scratches, yet the engravings remain clearly defined. The signed Rado anchor crown shows some wear to the knurling but remains entirely functional. The domed acrylic crystal presents light surface scratches and scuffs, particularly near the edges, with no major cracks or chips visible.

Movement
Inside beats the 25-jewel automatic caliber AS 1858. The movement is remarkably clean and bright, with intact gold-tone plating and no visible corrosion or significant scratches on the plates or rotor. Engravings reading RADO, 25 JEWELS, SWISS, and AS 1858 are crisp and clear. Recording -6-9s/day on the timegrapher. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece.

Strap
The watch is fitted with an attractive black leather strap featuring white contrast stitching. The strap appears to be in very good condition with minimal wear, complementing the dial layout nicely.

Condition
Excellent vintage condition. The vertically brushed silver dial is exceptionally clean, while the stainless steel case and fluted bezel show honest wear consistent with age, including moderate surface scratches and softened edges. The acrylic crystal has light scuffs near the outer edges. The clean automatic movement is running wonderfully.

Dimensions
Case Size: 35mm (excluding the crown)

Remarks
This Golden Horse stands out through its pristine vertically brushed silver dial and intact Rado anchor crown. The bright and clean automatic movement provides strong mechanical appeal, making this a highly wearable and attractive example of 1970s design.

History
The Golden Horse line is a foundational pillar of Rado's mid-century catalog, recognized for its distinctive aesthetic and reliable automatic calibers. Introduced to offer robust performance with elegant styling, these models frequently featured fluted bezels and the signature seahorse motifs on the dial and caseback. Today, they remain highly appreciated by enthusiasts of 1970s watchmaking for their character and enduring design language.

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-GHX-0029