Rado

Who are Rado?

Rado is a Swiss watchmaker based in Lengnau, near Biel/Bienne, where it was founded as a movement maker in 1917. It is one of the 16 watch brands of The Swatch Group. This page covers its history, collections and ownership, then what to check when buying a pre-owned Rado in the UK.

Rado is known above all for its materials. Its DiaStar of 1962 was sold as a scratch-resistant watch, and it has worked with high-tech ceramic since 1986 (Swatch Group). Its current range includes the Captain Cook, DiaStar, Integral, Anatom, True Round, True Square and Centrix (Swatch Group).

The history of Rado

Rado’s history runs from a movement workshop in Lengnau to a brand within The Swatch Group. The key dates are the founding (1917), the Rado trademark (1928), the first Rado collection (1957), the DiaStar (1962), ASUAG (1968) and the first high-tech ceramic watch (1986).

Schlup & Co. In 1917 the brothers Friedrich, Ernst and Werner Schlup began making lever-escapement movements in Lengnau, in the canton of Bern, as Schlup & Co. (WatchTime). Wikipedia gives the first brother’s name as Fritz.

The Rado name. The Schlups registered Rado as a trademark in 1928, but WatchTime says it played little part for about 25 years. Wikipedia, citing the Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, says Schlup & Co. began making its own Rado-branded watches in 1954, and the company took the name Rado in 1957. Its first collection under the name, the Green Horse, was launched that year (Wikipedia; WatchTime). Wikipedia says the name probably comes from the Esperanto word for “wheel”, but that the origin of the choice is not documented.

Hard materials. In 1962 Rado launched the DiaStar, with a hardmetal (tungsten carbide) case and a sapphire crystal, sold as the first scratch-resistant watch. The Captain Cook dive watch followed the same year (WatchTime). Wikipedia notes the DiaStar patent was filed in November 1961.

ASUAG and the Swatch Group. Rado joined ASUAG in 1968 (Wikipedia). In 1970 it showed its first quartz watch, the Quartz 8192, at the Basel fair (WatchTime). ASUAG merged with SSIH in 1983; Wikipedia says the group was renamed SMH in 1985 and The Swatch Group in 1998. WatchTime gives a different account, saying Rado came under SMH in 1986.

Ceramic. The Anatom appeared in 1983, in a hardmetal case (Monochrome Watches). The Integral of 1986 was the first Rado with high-tech ceramic bracelet links (WatchTime); Esquire Singapore describes it as the first industrially produced high-tech ceramic watch. The all-ceramic Ceramica followed in 1990, the white Coupole in 1991, the Sintra with a ceramic-metal composite in 1993, and plasma high-tech ceramic in 1998 (WatchTime).

Recent decades. The V10K of 2002 had a diamond coating rated 10,000 on the Vickers hardness scale (Wikipedia). The True Thinline of 2011 used a one-piece injection-moulded ceramic case under 5 mm thick (WatchTime). Rado revived the Captain Cook in 2019 and the Anatom in 2023 (WatchTime; Monochrome Watches). Adrian Bosshard, previously chief executive of Certina, has led Rado since 2020 (Esquire Singapore).

What is Rado known for?

Rado is known for scratch-resistant and ceramic watches, from the hardmetal DiaStar to high-tech ceramic cases, and for working with designers. The details below are each sourced.

High-tech ceramic. Rado says ceramic is its signature material, chosen for its lightness and comfort, and that it is made in more than twenty colours, some with plasma treatment or in Ceramos (Swatch Group). Ceramos is Rado’s name for the ceramic-metal composite that grew out of the 1993 Sintra (Wikipedia).

Design. Rado has worked with designers and institutions on more than thirty collaborations (Swatch Group). They include the r5.5 by Jasper Morrison (2009), a redesign of the Ceramica by Konstantin Grcic (2016), True Thinline colours with Les Couleurs Le Corbusier (2021) and DiaStar models with Tej Chauhan (Wikipedia; WatchTime; Swatch Group).

Movements. Rado uses movements from within the Swatch Group. The Anatom’s R766 calibre, for example, is a development of the ETA 2892 with a 72-hour power reserve (Monochrome Watches). Rado sells both quartz and automatic watches; our guide to mechanical and quartz watches sets out the differences.

Which Rado collections are there?

The Swatch Group lists Rado’s current collections as Anatom, Captain Cook, Centrix, DiaStar, Integral, True Round and True Square (Swatch Group).

The collections table on this page gives the year each began where it is sourced, and a one-line description. A few points help when you are reading listings:

• Revived names. The Captain Cook, DiaStar, Anatom and Integral all began decades ago and have been revived. A Captain Cook from the 1960s and one from 2019 onwards are different watches, and the 2023 Anatom uses ceramic where the 1983 original used hardmetal (WatchTime; Monochrome Watches).
• Materials. “Ceramic”, “plasma ceramic”, “Ceramos” and “hardmetal” mean different materials. Check which one a listing describes against Rado’s own description of the model.
• Quartz or automatic. Several collections include both. Check which movement the reference has.
• Older lines. The Ceramica, Coupole, Sintra and V10K are not in the current list (Swatch Group). Look up an older model by its reference rather than by the line name.

Who owns Rado?

Rado is owned by The Swatch Group Ltd, a Swiss company based in Biel/Bienne and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. Rado joined ASUAG in 1968, and ASUAG merged with SSIH in 1983 to create the group.

Sources differ on how Rado’s history in the group is dated. Wikipedia gives 1968 for ASUAG, then 1983 for the merger, 1985 for the name SMH and 1998 for The Swatch Group. WatchTime says Rado came under SMH in 1986. The Swatch Group lists 16 watch brands, including Omega, Longines, Tissot, Hamilton and Swatch, and owns production companies such as ETA and Comadur (Swatch Group).

Rado has stayed in Lengnau, where it opened new headquarters in 1975 (Wikipedia). In the UK, the group’s company, The Swatch Group (UK) Limited, was incorporated on 26 October 1921 as S.S.I.H. (UK) Limited and was renamed SMH (UK) Limited in 1988, then took its present name in 1998 (Companies House).

Sister brands that Watch60 covers include Longines and Omega.

Buying a pre-owned Rado in the UK: what to check

Check that the reference and serial number on the watch match its papers, that the case and bracelet material is the one the listing describes, and that the watch is not recorded as stolen. Then check whether any of Rado’s five-year warranty is left.

1. Papers and the full set. Ask exactly what comes with the watch: box, warranty card, booklet, receipt and any spare bracelet links. Rado’s warranty is registered against the reference and serial number on the warranty card (Rado). Our guide to what “full set” means explains what each item proves.

2. Reference and material. Look up the reference on Rado’s site to confirm the case size, material and movement. A listing that calls a steel or plasma model “ceramic”, or a quartz model automatic, is a sign the seller has not checked.

3. Authenticity. Buy from a seller who will put authenticity in writing and accept returns, and have the watch checked by a watchmaker you choose. Our guide on how to spot a fake watch covers what a watchmaker looks at.

4. Stolen-watch check. Before you pay, check the serial number against a stolen-watch register and ask the seller to confirm the watch is not reported lost or stolen. Our stolen-watch check guide lists the UK registers and how to use them.

5. Condition. Ask for close-up photos of the case, bezel and bracelet, and whether any parts or links have been replaced. Our guide to watch condition grades explains how sellers describe wear. Ask when the watch was last serviced, by whom, and for the paperwork.

6. Warranty. Rado says all new Rado watches have a five-year international warranty (Rado). Retailers that reproduce Rado’s terms say it applies to watches bought from 1 May 2023, and that the certificate must be dated and stamped by an official Rado dealer. A dealer’s own warranty is a promise from the dealer, not from Rado. See watch warranties explained.

7. Who you buy from. There are three main routes in the UK:

Sources: Rado, five-year international warranty (checked 29 October 2026).

For how independent dealers compare with appointed retailers, read grey market versus authorised dealer.

For the full process from setting a budget to collecting the watch, see the guide to buying a luxury watch.

Frequently asked questions

Where was Rado founded?

In Lengnau, Switzerland, in 1917, by the Schlup brothers, as a movement maker called Schlup & Co. (Wikipedia; WatchTime). Rado is still based there.

Where does the name Rado come from?

It was registered as a trademark in 1928. Wikipedia says it probably comes from the Esperanto word for “wheel”, but that the origin is not documented.

Who owns Rado?

The Swatch Group Ltd. Rado joined ASUAG in 1968, and ASUAG merged with SSIH in 1983 to form the group (Wikipedia).

Are Rado and Longines owned by the same company?

Yes. Both belong to The Swatch Group, along with Omega, Tissot, Hamilton and Swatch (Swatch Group).

What is high-tech ceramic?

Rado’s name for the ceramic it has used in watches since 1986. Rado makes it in more than twenty colours, some with plasma treatment, and also uses a ceramic-metal composite it calls Ceramos (Swatch Group; Wikipedia).

Was the DiaStar the first scratch-resistant watch?

Rado marketed it that way in 1962. It had a hardmetal case and a sapphire crystal (WatchTime).

Does Rado make its own movements?

Rado uses movements from within the Swatch Group. The R766 in the Anatom, for example, is developed from the ETA 2892 (Monochrome Watches).

How long is the Rado warranty?

Five years on new watches (Rado). Check the date on the warranty card to see how much is left.

Can I buy a pre-owned Rado without papers?

You can, but without papers you rely more heavily on the seller’s written guarantee, an independent watchmaker’s check and a stolen-watch check. Agree in writing that you get a full refund if the watch is later found not to be genuine.

This page is general information. Watch60 is independent and has no commercial relationship with Rado or The Swatch Group.

We check the facts on this page against the sources listed, and it is correct to the best of our knowledge as of October 2026. Brands change their warranty, servicing and sales terms, so confirm them with the brand or the seller before you buy.