Rado - Marco Polo 'Serviced' - No reserve price - 11837 - Men - 1970-1979

06
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Rado Marco Polo 11837, a 1970s automatic, 36 mm gold-tone cushion-case watch with a silver sunburst dial, brown leather strap, good vintage condition.

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Description from the seller

Now available at auction from Second Vintage

This classic 1970s Rado design pairs a pristine silver sunburst dial with a heavily patinated gold-tone cushion case. The striking contrast between the clean dial layout, featuring crisp faceted indices and vibrant red date numerals, and the deeply oxidized, purplish and brownish case offers a highly distinctive aesthetic.

Brand: Rado
Model: Marco Polo
Reference Number: 11837
Serial Number: G15892670
Movement: Automatic, 25 jewels
Dial: Silver sunburst with faceted gold-tone indices and red date numerals
Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown)
Case Material: Gold-tone, stainless steel caseback
Production Year: 1970s
Condition: Good vintage condition. Movement serviced on 16 October 2026. Timegrapher: +7+9s/day, performing remarkably well.

Dial and Hands
The dial presents a pristine and striking silver sunburst finish with no significant flaws. Applied faceted gold-tone indices remain crisp, and all printed text is fully intact. A distinctive Rado rotating anchor logo sits at nine o'clock, perfectly balanced by the red roulette-style date numerals at three o'clock. The gold-tone baton hands feature black central stripes and exhibit honest aging, with minor surface oxidation visible under magnification.

Case and Crystal
The 36 mm cushion case is heavily patinated. The gold-tone plating shows heavy tarnish and oxidation, creating a unique purplish and brownish patina alongside moderate scratches and handling marks throughout. The faceted stainless steel caseback is well preserved and features clear engravings of the Rado seahorses and stars medallion. The signed Rado anchor crown shows some wear to its gold-tone finish. A domed acrylic crystal protects the dial, displaying light surface scratches visible under direct light with no major cracks or chips.

Movement
Powering the watch is a clean 25-jewel Swiss automatic movement. The visible rotor is engraved with the Rado name and shows light surface scratches, while an ETA shield is visible under the balance wheel. The timegrapher recorded +7+9s/day. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece. The movement was serviced on 16 October 2026.

Strap
The watch is fitted with a complementary brown leather strap featuring contrast stitching. It shows light wear and appears relatively new, offering a handsome pairing with the oxidized vintage case.

Condition
Good vintage condition. The movement was serviced on 16 October 2026 and, supported by the recorded timegrapher result, is performing very strongly. The dial remains in excellent condition with crisp details. The gold-tone case shows heavy tarnish, oxidation, and scratches, resulting in a deep patina. The hands display minor oxidation, and the crystal has light surface scratches.

Dimensions
The case measures 36 mm (excluding the crown).

Remarks
This Marco Polo stands out through the compelling contrast between its highly legible, well-preserved dial and its deeply patinated cushion case. The red date numerals and rotating anchor logo add excellent visual interest to this classic 1970s Rado design.

History
During the 1970s, Rado produced a variety of distinctive models characterized by bold case geometries and unique dial layouts. The Marco Polo reference 11837 is a classic example of this era, featuring a 36 mm cushion case and powered by a 25-jewel automatic movement. The dial layout notably includes a rotating anchor logo at nine o'clock and a date aperture at three o'clock with red numerals. Following traditional brand design, the screw-down stainless steel caseback is engraved with the Rado seahorses and stars medallion.

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-MPG-0002

Seller's Story

Welcome to Second Vintage. Our weekly selections feature carefully curated vintage timepieces from iconic brands such as Rolex, Omega, Longines, Seiko, and many more. Each watch is thoroughly inspected and always delivered in working condition. We are a team of dedicated vintage watch enthusiasts with deep expertise in the details that truly matter – from reference numbers and movements to authenticity, design, and historical nuance. With thousands of successful auctions and satisfied customers across the globe, we are proud to be recognized as a Top Seller on Catawiki. Our reputation is built on trust, transparency, and consistent quality. You can bid with confidence knowing that your satisfaction is our highest priority. We ship quickly and securely, using professional packaging to ensure your watch arrives safely and exactly as described. All items are dispatched within 2–3 business days after payment. In the rare event that something occurs during transport, vintage watches can occasionally be affected by handling. Should an issue arise, we respond promptly and are always ready to assist in finding a solution. Your satisfaction comes first. Learn more about our brand at Second Vintage

Now available at auction from Second Vintage

This classic 1970s Rado design pairs a pristine silver sunburst dial with a heavily patinated gold-tone cushion case. The striking contrast between the clean dial layout, featuring crisp faceted indices and vibrant red date numerals, and the deeply oxidized, purplish and brownish case offers a highly distinctive aesthetic.

Brand: Rado
Model: Marco Polo
Reference Number: 11837
Serial Number: G15892670
Movement: Automatic, 25 jewels
Dial: Silver sunburst with faceted gold-tone indices and red date numerals
Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown)
Case Material: Gold-tone, stainless steel caseback
Production Year: 1970s
Condition: Good vintage condition. Movement serviced on 16 October 2026. Timegrapher: +7+9s/day, performing remarkably well.

Dial and Hands
The dial presents a pristine and striking silver sunburst finish with no significant flaws. Applied faceted gold-tone indices remain crisp, and all printed text is fully intact. A distinctive Rado rotating anchor logo sits at nine o'clock, perfectly balanced by the red roulette-style date numerals at three o'clock. The gold-tone baton hands feature black central stripes and exhibit honest aging, with minor surface oxidation visible under magnification.

Case and Crystal
The 36 mm cushion case is heavily patinated. The gold-tone plating shows heavy tarnish and oxidation, creating a unique purplish and brownish patina alongside moderate scratches and handling marks throughout. The faceted stainless steel caseback is well preserved and features clear engravings of the Rado seahorses and stars medallion. The signed Rado anchor crown shows some wear to its gold-tone finish. A domed acrylic crystal protects the dial, displaying light surface scratches visible under direct light with no major cracks or chips.

Movement
Powering the watch is a clean 25-jewel Swiss automatic movement. The visible rotor is engraved with the Rado name and shows light surface scratches, while an ETA shield is visible under the balance wheel. The timegrapher recorded +7+9s/day. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece. The movement was serviced on 16 October 2026.

Strap
The watch is fitted with a complementary brown leather strap featuring contrast stitching. It shows light wear and appears relatively new, offering a handsome pairing with the oxidized vintage case.

Condition
Good vintage condition. The movement was serviced on 16 October 2026 and, supported by the recorded timegrapher result, is performing very strongly. The dial remains in excellent condition with crisp details. The gold-tone case shows heavy tarnish, oxidation, and scratches, resulting in a deep patina. The hands display minor oxidation, and the crystal has light surface scratches.

Dimensions
The case measures 36 mm (excluding the crown).

Remarks
This Marco Polo stands out through the compelling contrast between its highly legible, well-preserved dial and its deeply patinated cushion case. The red date numerals and rotating anchor logo add excellent visual interest to this classic 1970s Rado design.

History
During the 1970s, Rado produced a variety of distinctive models characterized by bold case geometries and unique dial layouts. The Marco Polo reference 11837 is a classic example of this era, featuring a 36 mm cushion case and powered by a 25-jewel automatic movement. The dial layout notably includes a rotating anchor logo at nine o'clock and a date aperture at three o'clock with red numerals. Following traditional brand design, the screw-down stainless steel caseback is engraved with the Rado seahorses and stars medallion.

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-MPG-0002

Seller's Story

Welcome to Second Vintage. Our weekly selections feature carefully curated vintage timepieces from iconic brands such as Rolex, Omega, Longines, Seiko, and many more. Each watch is thoroughly inspected and always delivered in working condition. We are a team of dedicated vintage watch enthusiasts with deep expertise in the details that truly matter – from reference numbers and movements to authenticity, design, and historical nuance. With thousands of successful auctions and satisfied customers across the globe, we are proud to be recognized as a Top Seller on Catawiki. Our reputation is built on trust, transparency, and consistent quality. You can bid with confidence knowing that your satisfaction is our highest priority. We ship quickly and securely, using professional packaging to ensure your watch arrives safely and exactly as described. All items are dispatched within 2–3 business days after payment. In the rare event that something occurs during transport, vintage watches can occasionally be affected by handling. Should an issue arise, we respond promptly and are always ready to assist in finding a solution. Your satisfaction comes first. Learn more about our brand at Second Vintage

Details

Brand
Rado
Gender
Men
Model
Marco Polo 'Serviced'
Reference number
11837
Band material
Leather
Shipped insured
Yes
Period
1970-1979
Repainted dial
No
Movement
Automatic
Case material
Gold-plated
Original box included
No
Original papers included
No
Case diameter
36 mm
Original warranty included
No
Condition
Very good - minor signs of wear
The NetherlandsVerified
7050
Objects sold
100%
protop

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