Rado built its reputation on a single obsession: materials. While other Swiss brands focused on movements and complications, Rado pioneered scratch-proof watches using hardmetals and high-tech ceramics. Today, the brand remains the undisputed leader in ceramic watchmaking—a material now used across the industry but perfected first by Rado.
Lengnau Beginnings (1917)
Brothers Fritz, Ernst, and Werner Schlup founded Schlup & Co. in Lengnau, Switzerland, in 1917. The company initially produced watch movements for other brands—a common path for Swiss watchmakers. The Rado brand name appeared in 1957, chosen for its ease of pronunciation across languages.
From the start, the Schlup brothers emphasized innovation over tradition. While competitors perfected century-old techniques, Rado looked forward.
The DiaStar: First Scratch-Proof Watch (1962)
Rado's defining moment came in 1962 with the DiaStar—the world's first scratch-proof watch. The case was made from hardmetal (tungsten carbide), and the crystal from synthetic sapphire. The combination created a watch that could resist daily wear indefinitely.
The DiaStar's oval case and integrated bracelet were controversial—this wasn't traditional Swiss design. But the watch proved enormously popular, establishing Rado's identity as a materials innovator.
What is Hardmetal? Tungsten carbide, or hardmetal, rates approximately 9 on the Mohs hardness scale (diamond is 10). It's created by sintering tungsten and carbon at extreme temperatures. The resulting material is nearly unscratchable in daily wear—a revolutionary concept in 1962.
The Ceramic Revolution (1986)
Rado's next breakthrough came in 1986: the first high-tech ceramic watch. Ceramic offered advantages over hardmetal—it was lighter, hypoallergenic, and could be produced in various colors. Most importantly, it was equally scratch-resistant.
High-tech ceramic is created by firing zirconium oxide powder at temperatures exceeding 1,400°C. The process is complex and wasteful—many pieces crack during firing—but the results are extraordinary: lightweight, warm to the touch, and virtually indestructible on the surface.
Plasma High-Tech Ceramic (2011)
Rado continued innovating with plasma ceramic in 2011. By treating ceramic with plasma gas at 20,000°C (hotter than the sun's surface), Rado achieved a metallic appearance without using any metal. The result looks like polished steel but retains all ceramic benefits.
This technology created new design possibilities—ceramic watches that could pass for metal to the untrained eye.
Schlup & Co. founded in Lengnau
Rado brand name introduced
DiaStar—first scratch-proof watch
Joins Swatch Group (then ASUAG)
First high-tech ceramic watch
Plasma high-tech ceramic debuts
Ceramos—ceramic and metal fusion
The Collections Today
Modern Rado organizes around several distinct lines:
• True: Pure ceramic design, minimalist aesthetic
• Captain Cook: Heritage diver revived in ceramic and steel
• Centrix: Ceramic center links with steel accents
• DiaStar Original: Modern reinterpretation of 1962 icon
• Ceramica: Square ceramic cases
Design Philosophy
Rado collaborates extensively with designers, viewing watches as wearable design objects. Partnerships with designers like Jasper Morrison and Konstantin Grcic have produced award-winning pieces that prioritize form and material expression.
The brand motto—"Master of Materials"—isn't marketing. It's a genuine description of Rado's core competency and obsession.
Industry Influence
Rado's ceramic innovations spread throughout the industry. Today, brands from Omega to Chanel use high-tech ceramic—technology Rado pioneered decades ago. The brand's material expertise influenced how the entire industry thinks about case construction.
Today's Rado
As part of the Swatch Group, Rado operates from Lengnau—the same Swiss town where the Schlup brothers began. Production focuses almost exclusively on ceramic and hardmetal pieces, with prices ranging from approximately $1,500 to $5,000.
For those who prioritize materials innovation, lightweight comfort, and scratch resistance, Rado offers something unique: watches designed for how life is actually lived, not just how it's photographed.