Rado has introduced the Rado DiaStar Original X Tej Chauhan Special Edition. Tej Chauhan is a renown “award-winning British industrial designer known for his “Emotive Industrial Design”: shape, colour and material are used strategically to create objects that elicit joy.” This collaboration is a reinterpretation of one of Rado’s most iconic watches – the DiaStar.
“Originally launched over 60 years ago, the DiaStar Original has been celebrated for its strong, distinctive design. For this special edition, acclaimed designer Tej Chauhan was challenged to infuse his own creative vision while honouring the watch’s legacy.”
Image: Tej Chauhan. On his right hand he is wearing the Rado True Square X Tej Chauhan, his first collaboration with Rado in 2020. On his left hand, he is wearing the new Rado DiaStar Original X Tej Chauhan Special Edition.
Key Features
Image: The DiaStar was as futuristic in 1962 as it is today.
“This limited edition captures the essence of the DiaStar Original while bringing it into the future, showcasing Rado’s commitment to design innovation. The Rado DiaStar Original x Tej Chauhan is a stunning tribute to Rado’s past and a bold step toward the future, making it an ideal piece for both long-time fans and new enthusiasts alike.”
Functions and Operation
Image: An iconic design three-hand watch with day and date.
Central hours, minutes, and seconds.
Day and date via two apertures at 3 o’clock.
All operations via the crown at 3 o’clock.
Dial
Image: Dial execution is superb.
Matt black concave dial.
Dial features “printed silver and blue minute tracks intersected by applied indexes in relief at five-minute intervals.”
Hour and minute hands are polished black gold-colour and coated with white Super-LumiNova.
Seconds hand is neon yellow colour.
The iconic moving anchor, sandblasted and black gold-colour, is applied at 12 o’clock.
Sandblasted and black gold-colour “RADO” is applied at 6 o’clock. Silver colour “Automatic” printed at 6 o’clock.
The day and date aperture at 3 o’clock features “Tej Chauhan’s proprietary font in a vibrant and colourful palette, including neon paint.”
Case and Strap
Image: The sapphire crystal provides a glimpse into the movement’s winding rotor.
3-part case.
Dimensions: Width 38 mm * Length 45 mm * Height 11.70 mm.
“Polished yellow gold-coloured PVD coated Ceramos™ bezel merges effortlessly with a polished yellow gold-coloured PVD coated stainless-steel middle case.”
Ceramos™: “This lightweight, scratch-resistant material is created through the fusion of ceramic and metal alloy, an ultra-advanced manufacturing technique that ensures the two materials bond seamlessly while preserving the exceptional hardness of high-tech ceramic and the structural resilience of metal.”
Dial side features a “radial faceted sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating inside.”
Stainless steel crown at 3 o’clock is “yellow gold coloured PVD coated.”
Caseback is made from stainless steel and is “polished dark grey PVD coated.” It features a sapphire crystal on its middle left, offering a peak into Rado calibre R764’s automatic winding rotor. The caseback’s right side features typical watch text, including “Special Edition Tej Chauhan.”
Water resistant up to 10 bar / 100 metres.
Image: Pillow shaped rubber strap.
Watch comes with a grey colour pillow shaped rubber strap, attached to “dark grey PVD-coated stainless steel extendable folding clasp, topped with a yellow gold-coloured cover and pushers engraved with Rado x TC inscriptions.”
Movement
Powered by Rado calibre R764, an automatic movement that drives the hours, minutes, seconds, day, and date.
Jewels: 25. Power reserve: 80 hours.
The movement, regulated in 5 positions, features an antimagnetic Nivachron™ hairspring and “delivers a high level of accuracy.”
Our Thoughts
Image: Looks great on the wrist. A fun and colourful watch to have in any collection.
The DiaStar Original X Tej Chauhan Special Edition is a superb reinterpretation of a decades old icon. One that was futuristic when launched over 60 years ago in 1962 and looks equally futuristic today. The materials used, dial execution and details, and choice of colours all around make this a super cool watch, one that is immense value for its price. For those who love retro watches, the DiaStar Original X Tej Chauhan Special Edition is a compelling addition to their collection.
Additional Details
Name: DiaStar Original X Tej Chauhan Special Edition
Reference: R12165155
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 2,150
Please visit the Rado website and Instagram page for more information.
Rado has a boutique in The Dubai Mall, and several authorised retailers across Dubai. All details on the brand’s website.
