Rado Automatic Chronograph ref. 0900.4

FS: Very rare blue Rado Valjoux 7750 chrono from 1974

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Description: This bold watch, housing one of the few complicated movements used by Rado-including day of week, date, 12-hour chronograph and automatic winding--is rather a departure from previous Rado production. It is not known how many hand-wound chronographs Rado made prior to the 1974 introduction of this particular model, but they seem to have been made in very small lots and are quite rare. Indeed, mechanical chronographs of any kind represent a very small percentage of the millions of watches Rado has produced in the past several decades. Even today, after a decade of strong interest in mechanical chronographs, the Rado line-up includes some automatic DiaStar chronographs available outside the US market only, and the recently introduced DiaStar Rattrapante, the brand's first split-seconds chronograph.

Only 1500 of the Valjoux 7750 automatic Rado were produced, between 1974 and 1980. (The Valjoux 7750 itself was introduced in 1973.) Three dial variations were offered, and each featured the bold styling for which Rado was known, but also included other features that differentiated this watch from similar models offered by other companies at the time such as Certina, Mido and Longines. A subtle difference, but one that represents Rado's desire to produce quality pieces is the use of the 25-jewel variation of Cal. 7750 over the more common 17-jewel variant. A more obvious, and eye-catching element of the Rado automatic chronograph is the interpretation of their famous rotating anchor. In place of a constant-seconds hand at 9:00 on the dial, Rado installed an anchor-shaped hand which, though it isn't particularly helpful in reading the seconds of the minute, is a clever variation of their aforementioned whimsical spinning logo.

Condition: The original bracelet with signed Rado clasp is present on this watch. The crystal & hands have been replaced and the case has been polished/brushed to approximate original condition. Condition of this watch is ~85-90%. There are a few minor marks on the bezel, and some flaws on the dial--visible in the large dial photo below. Note that the first image below was touched up for use in a magazine article, and does not faithfully represent the condition of the dial. The movement was given basic service just a year or so ago. Original hands will be included with sale. Day indication is in Italian.

 Photos: Click for larger images

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