Quick help needed PLEASE!

[Animal Mother]

Hi everyone. Sorry that this is such an urgent request, but, I have he chance of buying a Rado watch. I really love the look of it, however, I have a few questions. The watch, as of 9am tomorrow won't be available any more, so I need to make a decision tonight. Plus, I think it's quite a bargain for the amount I can get it for.

So, I have a few questions (please see photos of the watch below), they are:

1. Is this a genuine Rado?
2.What model Rado is this?
3. Could that be a crack at the 3 o'clock position?
4. What is it worth (roughly)?
5. Would it have an automatic movement?
6. Is the case metal or ceramic?
7. Is the black ring around the face normal?

Thank you all in advance, I really appreciate it.

[Watch Carefully]

From those 2 photos I would say it is authentic. Probably a Diastar 8 or 8/1. It could be a crack, or just a reflection--hard to know. Worth? Probably not more than $200US. Definitely an automatic movement (ETA 2798 or similar). Case is made of Tungsten-Carbide over a base of steel. The 'black ring' is a reflection...that is also tungsten-carbide.

Here are two similar pieces with special dials:
http://www.watchcarefully.com/inventory/diastar8_1.html
http://www.watchcarefully.com/invent...starlapis.html


Good luck!

[Henry Krinkle]

Hi AM,

That is a Diastar with an automatic movement. Nice dial with the chapter ring. It has a faceted sapphire crystal and it is "scratchproof" tungsten carbide, so metal not ceramic. That is almost certainly a crack in the bezel at 3 O'clock, so unless you have a spare case you shouldn't pay very much at all. Without the crack in the current market would probably sell for less than $200. With the crack... not too much.

[Animal Mother]

Thank you both for your speedy replies. I'm still very tempted to buy it. It's in an auction (not ebay) and is valued £70 to £100 GBP. So I think you guys a spot on with your valuation.

Should I let the crack put me off? I can't see this detracting from the use or the beauty too much.

Also, I could keep an eye open for another bezel over the next year.

Henry Krinkle, what do you mean by a chapter ring?

[Henry Krinkle]

A cracked Diastar can last a very, very long time. They can also be very hard to see in real life. It does not sound like you have unrealistic expectations about this watch. If you don't think the crack will bother you I see no reason to tell you not to buy it. And if it isn't cracked then it's a bonus.

The chapter ring is the silver coloured ring on the dial that has the hour markers on it.

[Animal Mother]

Excellent chaps. Thank you again.

[Animal Mother]

Oh well. The auction went past my highest bid (of £110). Never mind. I'm determined to get one now, I'll just have to keep my eye open. Now I have the bug, I fancy one with a mineral face.

[Watch Carefully]

Be sure to check the Rado Exchange here at EOT...I beleive a mineral dial Diastar 8 is available from JohnPat.
You should note that, despite the frequency of their appearance in these pages, the Diastars with mineral dial can be quite difficult to obtain.

[Animal Mother]

I've seen that and I like it. I'll email him.

[croolis]

My CC Mk1 came from Johnpat and the guy is totally reliable! Pleasure to deal with .. He has a Diastar 2 which I'd like to take off him, but I've no funds this month! (not after the CC Mk1 and a bunch of other stuff!)