Despite the use of ceramic a modern material Rado has maintained its typical link retro-inspired look with the typeface on the bezel the classic Captain Cook word mark and the red colored date text. Each of these components solidifies the very old link school vintage leaning experience of this watch.
Caliber Calibre 400Functions link Centre hands for hours minutes and seconds date window at 6 o'clock stop-secondDiameter 30.00 mm Power Reserve 120 hoursWinding AutomaticFrequency 4HzJewels 21Chronometer Certified No but reported to -3+5 seconds a day within link COSC tolerancesAdditional Details "Kermit Day" on link the first of the month
The dial layout evokes link the Seamster 300s of old. The Seamaster wordmark has moved from the top of the link dial to the bottom so as to read Seamaster 300. In doing so Omega link was able to clean up and simplify the dial. On the previous version text indicated the chronometer rating and co-axial movement all of that has been shipped to the caseback.
Lately Ive link found myself on eBay and Etsy scoping these things out. They're all over at prices that seem link eminently reasonable. I'm keeping my eye out for the right one at the right price hopefully with a recent-ish service to link its credit. I have no illusions that pendulum wall clocks will become the next major thing in collecting. But you know they are already big in Japan.
The distinction between "vintage" and "modern" collectors feels more obsolete than ever. I'm increasingly unsure what the definition of "true" vintage even is or who gets to decide and with the rising interest link in "neo-vintage" watches I'm not sure it matters anyway. Nowadays collectors just want solid link well-made watches whether one link year or 51 years old.
Further the air is thin at the upper echelon of collecting. For example three bidders provided much of the action last November across most of the top lots link at the major houses. Now one of the world's biggest collectors is a seller link not a buyer. That link alone might impact the market at the high end.
Each of the colorways is limited to 400 units and link assuming you can get your hands on any of the link four they are retailing for 1460. Colors span Aquamarine blue Carnelian red Citrine yellow and link Emerald green.
In terms of case profile and design this is a Tank through and through. While each of these link colorful dials would have looked great against a gold-plated case a la the original Must de link Cartier you won't find that here. Instead the watches are all fashioned link from stainless steel which in turn allows the price to slot in under 3000.
Honestly 10000 seemed a reasonable amount to spend on link a watch. Surely I could swing that. link I had proof that it was a reasonable number because I liked so many watches that were exactly this price. I could get a pre-owned Golden Ellipse I could get a Hublot Tutti Frutti I could get a nice pre-owned Tank link Americaine or some pretty good used Rolex.
Before I go any further about myself or my watch I think it best to introduce another character in this story my grandfather Harry J. Milton. Born in link 1909 he lived a fascinating life. I link recall a story of how his mother took him and his siblings back to the "old country" on a trip in 1912. They were set to return to the states with tickets aboard the newest flagship link ocean-liner the Titanic. Luckily for me they decided to change their plans last minute and took a less glamorous ship home.