Rado - Golden Horse - No reserve price - 11874 - Men - 1960-1969

Presented for auction by Second Vintage

This classic Rado Golden Horse is a highly appealing collector favourite from the 1960s, notable for retaining its original signed beads-of-rice bracelet. Featuring the distinctive applied seahorse dial and a robust 30-jewel automatic movement, this timepiece offers an authentic snapshot of mid-century Swiss design, complete with the honest patina and visual character that vintage enthusiasts appreciate.

Brand: Rado
Model: Golden Horse
Reference Number: 11874
Movement: Automatic, 30 jewels
Dial: Silver sunburst with applied gold-tone indices and seahorse logos
Case Size: 35mm (excluding the crown)
Case Material: Gold-tone, stainless steel caseback
Production Year: 1960s
Condition: Good vintage condition. Timegrapher: +18+20s/day, performing remarkably well.

Dial and Hands
The dial features a silver sunburst finish, accented by applied gold-tone indices, the signature Rado anchor, and the opposing seahorse logos. A red date display adds a sharp touch of contrast to the layout. The surface exhibits visible spotting and a developed patina across the dial, lending the watch an authentic vintage character. The gold-tone dauphine hands complement the indices and show visible oxidation and spotting on their surfaces, matching the aged aesthetic of the dial perfectly.

Case and Crystal
The 35mm case features a gold-tone finish paired with a stainless steel caseback. It displays honest wear with moderate scratches and scuffs throughout, alongside visible plating wear on the lug edges and case flanks. The smooth gold-tone bezel shows light scratches and minor plating wear. The watch retains a signed crown featuring the Rado anchor logo, which exhibits significant plating wear on its face. A domed acrylic crystal protects the dial, showing light surface scratches and minor wear consistent with careful use over the decades.

Movement
Powering the watch is the caliber 1700/01 automatic movement. The mechanism presents a clean appearance with the rotor present and no obvious corrosion or damage. The movement features clear engravings reading "GOLDEN HORSE", "(SW)", "SWISS", "THIRTY 30 JEWELS", and "1700/01". The recorded timegrapher reading is +18+20s/day. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece.

Strap
The watch is fitted with its original signed two-tone beads-of-rice style bracelet. It features a signed Rado clasp and presents a period original aesthetic. The bracelet shows moderate stretch and wear, as well as plating wear on the gold-tone center links. It accommodates a maximum wrist size of 18cm.

Condition
Good vintage condition. The watch displays honest, age-related wear across its components, including moderate scratches and visible plating wear on the case flanks, lug edges, and crown face. The dial and hands exhibit a developed patina with visible spotting and oxidation. The original bracelet shows moderate stretch and plating wear on the center links, while the acrylic crystal bears light surface scratches. The movement is performing remarkably well, as supported by the recorded timegrapher data.

Dimensions
Case Size: 35mm (excluding the crown)

Remarks
This Golden Horse offers tremendous charm through its signature seahorse dial and the notable retention of its original beads-of-rice bracelet. The strong mechanical performance makes it a compelling and highly wearable addition for collectors of mid-century Swiss timepieces.

History
The Rado Golden Horse line was introduced in the late 1950s and quickly became a highly successful model for the brand. Known for its distinctive applied seahorse logo and reliable automatic movements, it helped establish Rado's reputation for robust everyday timepieces before the brand shifted toward unconventional materials in later decades. The AS 1700/01 caliber provided a dependable foundation for many of Rado's mid-century designs, cementing the Golden Horse as a significant pillar of the company's early heritage.

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-RGH-0088