SINCE 1979 • NEWPORT BEACH, CA
Rado Service
Master of Materials
For more than 47 years, Newport Jewelers has been the trusted destination for luxury watch service in Orange County. Our master technicians specialize in Rado, Rolex, Audemars Piguet, and more — restoring the scratch‑proof brilliance, water resistance, and innovative spirit of the “Master of Materials.”
Rado: Pioneer of High‑Tech Ceramics
Founded 1917 – Lengnau, Switzerland
Rado was founded in 1917 by brothers Fritz, Ernst, and Werner Schlup in Lengnau, Switzerland. The brand gained international fame in 1962 with the launch of the DiaStar 1 — the world’s first scratch‑resistant watch, using tungsten carbide and hardmetal. In the 1980s, Rado pioneered high‑tech ceramic (zirconium oxide), creating watches that remain like new for decades. The iconic DiaStar “Golden Horse” and later the Integral, Ceramica, and True collections cemented Rado’s reputation as “Master of Materials.” Today, Rado is part of the Swatch Group and continues to innovate with plasma ceramic, sandblasted ceramic, and colorful high‑tech ceramic cases.
Their motto: “If we can imagine it, we can make it. If we can make it, we can master it.”
How Is Rado Doing Today?
~280M CHF — estimated 2025 revenue, +7% year-over-year
~220,000 watches produced annually, with strong presence in Asia and Europe
#22 largest Swiss watch brand by sales, known for design and material innovation
Secondary market for Rado has seen a revival: vintage DiaStar and original Captain Cook (1960s) models command 2–3x original retail. The modern Captain Cook (42mm) and True Square (38mm) trade near retail, with limited editions (e.g., Captain Cook Bronze, “Over‑Pole”) seeing 15–20% premiums. Collectors value Rado’s scratch‑proof ceramic cases and the growing appreciation for retro‑diver designs.
Every Current Rado Model — Exact Case Sizes (2026)
Market Desirability: Which Rado Sizes Are Most Sought After?
Highest Demand / Collector Grails
- 42mm Captain Cook Automatic (ref. R32105303) – The modern revival of the 1962 diver. Box sapphire crystal, rotating ceramic bezel, and 200m water resistance. High liquidity and steady appreciation, especially the green and blue dial variants.
- 37mm Captain Cook Automatic (ref. R32105153) – Perfect vintage proportions. Increasingly sought after by collectors with smaller wrists; often sold out at boutiques.
- 38mm True Square (ref. R27056712) – Monobloc ceramic case, minimalist design. A cult favorite among design‑conscious buyers. The black and plasma ceramic versions command premiums.
Strong & Growing Segments
- 40mm True Round (ref. R27047152) – Clean, versatile, and scratch‑proof. Popular as an everyday wearer, especially the white and midnight blue ceramic models.
- 41mm Centrix Skeleton (ref. R30173712) – Open‑worked dial with automatic movement. Gains attention among buyers seeking affordable skeleton designs.
- 38mm DiaStar Original (ref. R12017713) – The vintage icon reissued in tungsten and ceramic. Nostalgic value and growing collector interest.
Pro tip: The 2025–2026 market favors 37–42mm Rado models, especially Captain Cook and True Square. Ceramic cases retain their luster indefinitely, making them highly desirable. Original boxes and papers add 15–20% to resale value.
| Model / Size | Market Position | Best For (Your Clients) |
|---|---|---|
Captain Cook 42mm | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ High liquidity / Modern icon | Diver enthusiasts, first‑time luxury buyers, daily wear |
Captain Cook 37mm | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Vintage darling / Rising | Smaller wrists, retro design lovers, unisex |
True Square 38mm | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Cult favorite / Scratch‑proof | Architecture fans, minimalists, daily wear |
True Round 40mm | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Strong / Versatile | Those seeking an elegant ceramic everyday watch |
DiaStar Original 38mm | ⭐⭐⭐ Neo‑vintage / Growing | Collectors of 1960s‑70s design, Rado purists |
Our Recommended Service for Rado Watches
Service Every 3–5 Years
ado recommends a full service every 4 to 5 years for mechanical movements (ETA‑based or Rado‑modified calibers) and every 2 years for quartz models. Ceramic cases are virtually indestructible but require careful handling to avoid chipping during service.
What a full service includes?
- Complete disassembly, cleaning, and inspection of the movement
- Replacement of worn components (mainspring, automatic module, crown gaskets)
- Fresh lubrication with Moebius oils (specialized for high‑beat calibers)
- Regulation to COSC standards (±4 sec/day) for chronometer‑certified movements
- Ceramic case and bezel polishing (using diamond‑abrasive tools)
- Water resistance testing (up to 200m for Captain Cook) and gasket replacement
Daily Care & Best Practices
- Rinse after saltwater exposure — Even ceramic cases need clean gaskets; have water resistance checked annually.
- Avoid dropping ceramic watches on hard floors — Ceramic is scratch‑proof but can crack or shatter on impact.
- Clean the ceramic case with mild soap and water — Use a soft cloth; avoid ultrasonic cleaners for plasma ceramic.
- For Captain Cook with rotating bezel, turn it periodically — prevents the friction spring from seizing.
Why trust Newport Jewelers? 47+ years of experience with high‑tech ceramic and tungsten materials. We have specialized diamond polishing tools for Rado’s monobloc cases, and we are trained on the Captain Cook’s box sapphire crystal and rotating bezel mechanism. We also source original Rado straps (ceramic, leather, NATO) and genuine movement parts.
Why Rado Demands Specialist Care?
Rado’s high‑tech ceramic cases (monobloc construction) cannot be opened with conventional case‑back tools; they require specialized friction‑fit openers. Polishing ceramic requires diamond‑impregnated wheels and precise pressure to avoid micro‑cracks. The Captain Cook’s rotating bezel uses a delicate ceramic insert that must be removed and re‑seated correctly. Vintage DiaStar models (tungsten carbide) are extremely hard but brittle; they demand careful handling during crystal replacement. Furthermore, Rado uses proprietary movements (e.g., Rado Calibre 763, based on ETA C07.631) with extended power reserves (80 hours) that need specific lubrication. At Newport Jewelers, we maintain original Rado tooling and adhere to the brand’s strict material‑handling protocols
“Newport Jewelers restored my vintage DiaStar Original. They polished the tungsten case to a mirror finish, serviced the automatic movement, and even sourced an original bracelet link. Impeccable work.”
— Kit Newman
“Jacob serviced my Captain Cook 42mm — replaced the crown gaskets, regulated the movement to +2 sec/day, and cleaned the ceramic bezel. The watch looks brand new. Highly recommend.”
— R Whis
The Captain Cook Legacy
Originally launched in 1962, the Captain Cook was Rado’s first diver’s watch, named after the British explorer. It featured a distinctive rotating bezel and a “double‑anchor” symbol. The modern re‑edition (2017) brought back the box sapphire crystal and ceramic bezel, becoming an instant hit. Newport Jewelers offers full service for both vintage and modern Captain Cook models, including bezel realignment and crystal polishing.
Investment Perspective (2025–26)
Rado has become a smart alternative in the vintage‑revival market. The Captain Cook 42mm and 37mm have shown 10–15% annual appreciation. Limited editions (e.g., Captain Cook Bronze, “Over‑Pole”) trade 20–30% above retail. True Square ceramic models are also rising in value, especially the plasma and black variants. A full service record from Newport Jewelers adds 15–20% to resale value, and original ceramic straps/boxes are essential.