Launched in 1983, the Rado Anatom was a design classic and is back in new 21st-century design materials and colorways!
The first Anatom watch was launched 40 years ago in 1983 and quickly drew worldwide attention, thanks to its ergonomic shape. A shape that was rectangular and rounded to the wrist making it a watch that is super comfortable to wear by following the contours of the person’s wrist who wears it.
40 years later, Rado has released a brand new edition of the Anatom, and not surprisingly as you may have guessed, the name comes from the word ‘anatomical’ given the design aspects of the watch!
“The innovative merging of timepiece contours and design into more subtle “anatomical” aspects not only brought greater comfort but beautiful visual flow. It set the stage for a product line that spanned four decades and which everyone noticed, the world over.”
To help celebrate its 40th birthday in 2023, Rado has introduced the new look Anatom in four new variants. The first is a limited edition version in black polished ceramic, black dial with diamond indices. This is followed by three standard variants in polished black ceramic with either a blue, green, or cognac dial with a gradient effect.
The limited edition boasts a black lacquer dial that has 11 diamond indices set on the dial, all VVS, each at 0.204 carats. Alongside these, the now standard Rhodium-coloured moving anchor symbol at the top of the dial stands out, complete with silver-coloured printed Rado and jubilé logos.
On the standard Anatom line, you have three models. Each model has a gradient or Fumè affect dial that radiates from black around the outer edges of the dial through to its colorways of green, blue, and orange. Each dial has that beautiful deep colour texture to it that has been achieved by the lacquering, and in addition to this, has a horizontally brushed effect running across the dial, which makes these stand out even more. The combination of the gradient as well as the satin brush style almost makes it look as if the new Anatom models have dials made from polished coloured wood. They simply look quite stunning!
Each model features a black matte high-tech ceramic bezel and with the middle case done in a sandblasted PVD stainless steel finish. On the back, a stainless steel case back with transparent sapphire crystal to show off the Rado calibre R766 automatic movement featuring, 21 jewels with a 72-hour power reserve. Being Rado the movement also features the antimagnetic Nivachron hairspring, allowing it to resist any magnetic forces from our modern technologically led lifestyle.
Rado has designed these watches to be worn and worn all day in comfort, as a result, they’ve equipped the new Anatom with a black rubber strap, secured by a brushed stainless steel 3-fold clasp and a black matt high-tech ceramic cover. Not only does this translate to comfort, but it also means the rubber strap blends seamlessly into the case and gives the Anatom its iconic look.
Final thoughts
When you look back at the history of the Anatom, you can clearly see the lineage of which these new models come from. Dating back to 1983, a full 40 years ago, these models have stood the test of time and now in 2024, utilised all the modern materials that rado has become known for. This includes blending their stainless steel, their high-tech ceramic, and the rubber strap to make a very good-looking modern piece with that history and feel from all those years ago.
For me personally, the dial colours make these watches stand out. The contrast of the indices and SuperLuminova against the gradient effect coloured dials, again contrasting with the black high-tech ceramic bezel and PVD stainless steel, and rubber strap really make these watches sleek, modern, and stealthy to a point. They are an everyday watch that can be paired with different attire and dressed up or down as you wish. These in my mind don’t really sit in either a dress or a sports watch category, which is a testament to Rado’s design team here.
References: R10202319 (Green) / R10202209 (Blue) / R10202309 (Cognac)
Specification
- Case: 32.5mm x 46.3mm, 11.3mm thick
- Case Material: Satin Brushed black PVD stainless steel with high-tech ceramic bezel and crown
- Dial: Lacquered polished horizontal satin-brushed background in either blue, green or cognac. Rhodium coloured applied indexes with white Super-LumiNova®
- Crystal: Cylindrical sapphire crystal with bevels, metallised in black and glued, with anti-reflective coating on the inside
- Water resistance: 50m (5ATM)
- Movement: Rado calibre R766 automatic, pivoting on 21 jewels and featuring an antimagnetic NivachronTM hairspring
- Power reserve: 72 hours
- Strap: Black rubber strap with brushed stainless steel 3-fold clasp, featuring black matt high-tech ceramic cover and satin-brushed stainless steel pushers.
