Mario Canonizado 
Retro reborn! At the beginning of the year, Rado announced a trio of brand-new DiaStar reference, tailor-made for all stylish occasion!
The term ‘Neo-Vintage’ is gaining momentum in the watch industry. At first glance, it seems like a contradiction – how can something be both ‘new’ and ‘old’? But at its core, Neo-Vintage refers to retro designs, reimagined with a contemporary twist for the modern consumer in mind. As this trend continues to grow, it’s not a shocker that watch brands everywhere are diving into their archives, eager to capitalise on the hype. Yet, some companies never needed to chase the trend, as they were ahead of the curve from the start. While others scrambled to jump on the hype train, they were already at the station, waiting for it to depart.
Rado is just one of these brands. Long before ‘Neo-Vintage’ was even a term, they set out to create a timepiece that seamlessly blended traditional watchmaking’s rich past with the exciting possibilities of a ‘space-age’ future. The result was the DiaStar, launched in 1962 – a watch with a bold, unconventional design that masked its true strength: it was the world’s first scratchproof watch. Though the DiaStar eventually faded into the background, its 60th anniversary in 2022 marked a triumphant return – this time, perfectly aligned with the rising ‘Neo-Vintage’ trend. While the watch industry had evolved around it, the DiaStar’s identity remained intact, embracing its signature quirks while receiving major technological upgrades. The most notable enhancement? Rado’s proprietary Ceramos™, a cutting-edge material that combines the resilience of ceramic with the durability and shine of metal.
Related Reading: Hands-on with the Rado DiaStar Original Skeleton
In the last three years, the Lengnau-based brand has not been content to just celebrate such a bombastic debut, electing instead to bolster the collection, establishing it as a staple of the modern Rado lineup. This year, Rado has furthered that same goal with the release of new DiaStar references in stainless steel. Measuring at 30mm wide, 35.6mm long, and 11mm thick, the new DiaStar models are a more compact rendition of the current roster, and widen the collection’s appeal to both women and anyone who may have smaller wrists.
No matter who chooses to pick one of these up, style is the name of the game here. The Rado DiaStar 30mm comes in a trio of bright, exciting colours that make them ideal for any fashionable calling: An attractive turquoise; A clear blue; And a vibrant purple. With such playful, maximalist colours, you wouldn’t be remiss to say that subtlety has been thrown out the window, but for Rado, the devil is truly in the details. Each dial is quartered, finished with satin-brushing in four different collections that allow for a truly unique viewing experience, rapidly changing the watch’s appearance in the light. The rhodium-plated hands, accompanied by the spinning Rado anchor logo – a staple feature of the roster – add additional touches of refinement to the DiaStar’s bold aesthetic and silhouette.
Of course, a watch is only as good as its beating heart. Fortunately, Rado’s position within the Swatch Group enables access to a wealth of reliable movement technology. While details on the Rado R586 are few and far between, what we do know is that it delivers a dependable 48-hour power reserve – more than enough for daily wear. You won’t see it through the DiaStar 30mm’s case back, but let’s be honest – why would you want to? In my opinion, don’t bother trying to dissect it like it’s a frog in a Biology class. Spend that time marvelling at the perfect meld between minimalism and maximalism that is this timepiece.
My Thoughts
Here at Watch Advice, we’ve grown incredibly familiar with Rado. Over the past few years, the brand has been on an impressive winning streak, consistently delivering standout releases across its lineup. From the recently revived Anatom to the evolution of the iconic Captain Cook, Rado’s reputation as the ‘Master of Materials’ has both been earned and cemented. That being said, I’ve always felt that the DiaStar has trailed slightly behind in terms of overall popularity in the roster. Don’t get me wrong—I’ve always appreciated it! But, appreciation and widespread enthusiasm aren’t necessarily the same thing.
Maybe it’s because the DiaStar collection has never been one to compromise. The style is bold, unconventional, and – in the best way – entirely unapologetic. Like Turkish Delights or durian fruits, it’s always been a bit of an acquired taste, a renegade compared to the current industry trends. However, I believe that the release of the DiaStar 30mm is the start of something special for the collection: A playful take on a legendary watch, that blends heritage inspiration and modern sensibilities that might just capture a whole new demographic of watch enthusiasts. For a watch whose design has remained pretty much unchanged for over six decades, it seems that the Rado DiaStar isn’t planning to bow out any time soon.
References: R12170323 (Turquoise)/R12170333 (Purple)/R12170343 (Blue)
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 30mm case diameter x 35.6mm lug-to-lug x 11mm thickness
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Dial: Turquoise/Purple/Blue
- Movement: Automatic Rado R586
- Power Reserve: 48h
- Water Resistance: 100m (10bar)
- Strap: Stainless steel with folding clasp
