Watch Review: Black Ceramic Rado Diastar
In this watch review, I will be discussing the Black Ceramic Rado Diastar Automatic (model number R15609172). Rado are the pioneers of high- tech materials such as ceramic and Hardmetal, meaning their watches a great choice for someone who likes watches made from materials other than steel. Because of this, Rado is one of my favourite watch brands.
The History of Rado’s Scratchproof Materials
In the 1970s when most watch brands were using steel, Rado was using High- Tech Ceramic which revolutionised the watch industry. This material is known for its scratch resistance, heat resistance and lightness. It also has anti allergic properties too. So, that vintage ceramic Rado watch that’s over 10 years old could still look good as new today.
But before the introduction of ceramic into the watch industry by Rado, there was the Diastar 1. It was made of the materials Hardmetal and sapphire crystal, making it one of the world’s first scratchproof watches. Hardmetal is more durable than steel and precious metals, which makes it a great material for watches. Especially if you’re always bumping into things with your watch.
The Ceramic Diastar’s Design
When I first picked up this watch, it was a lot lighter than I expected. This is because it’s made of black High- Tech Ceramic, making it scratch resistant too. It also has a sapphire crystal to add to this scratch resistance. The case of the watch is 40mm, meaning it wasn’t too imposing on the wrist. With a case thickness of 11mm, it can fit nicely under your sleeve, making it ideal to wear with shirts. Because of its size and minimalistic design, this watch can be worn with either casual or formal clothes. Personally, I think it would go very well with black tie.
The dial is black, with silver hour markers and a ‘RADO’ logo. It also has a date at the 6 o’clock position, making it very practical as it saves having to constantly check your phone to see the date. Around the edge of the dial, there are white minute markings inscribed, meaning you can accurately tell the time. My favourite part of the dial is the rotating anchor Rado logo below the ‘RADO’ writing, which is a nice touch seen on many automatic Rado’s.
As shown on the dial, the movement used is an automatic movement. After looking at the specs on Jomashop (https://www.jomashop.com/rado-d-star-watch-r15609172.html), I found out the movement used is the ETA 2824-2 (Rado Calibre 658). The transparent case- back on the watch is a great addition too, as it allows you to admire the detail in the movement.
Is This Watch Rare or An Hour Passion Exclusive?
In short, I’m not 100% sure. The ceramic Diastar is very hard to find, so I’m hoping this review will give it some more publicity. I haven’t seen it on Rado’s website, nor have I seen it in any Rado boutiques, except an outlet store called Hour Passion. After doing a quick search on Google, I found it on Jomashop and a few other watch dealer sites, where I was able to find out the movement used and the specs of the watch. So far, all the Diastar watches I’ve seen in real life are gold, which is the classic colour (watch in the photo below isn’t mine by the way).
I first saw the ceramic Diastar in real life when I visited the Hour Passion store in Gunwharf Quays in 2018. After this, I tried looking in lots of boutiques and on the internet to see if I could find this watch again, with little luck. But when I went to Bicester Village last summer, I finally got to see this watch again in their Hour Passion store. So, I’m thinking this watch could be exclusive to this store.
For anyone looking for Rado watches, I recommend visiting Hour Passion because of the wide range of watches they stock here. They also sell several other Swiss brands including Certina, Hamilton, and Mido. Plus, you can get some fantastic deals here- the ceramic Diastar was on sale for £960.
Verdict
Overall, I think this watch is a great modern outtake on a classic favourite. It is a very practical watch, with the minute markings, date, and automatic movement. Finally, the minimalistic design with the oval shape and black dial makes it a great choice for someone who wants a versatile timepiece that can be worn with most attire.
To find out more about Rado:
Find the black Ceramic Rado Diastar on Jomashop: