Rado Ceramica Jubile Diamond Baguettes Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed)
May 16th 2009 at 12:00PM

This is the first ever fully ceramic watch from Rado, which is a bit ironic as Rado is the company that really helped popularize ceramic as a material to used in watches. This watch also is part of Rado's 20th anniversary as a watch company. I don't think it was until the Chanel J12 came about though, that other watch makers started really picking up on the ceramic material as much. This is the newest version of the Rado Jubile Ceramica. The watch is not exactly totally ceramic, as the movement and such is still metal. The dial is interesting (and non ceramic) being made up of 102 black treated baguette cut diamonds which are set into white gold - I've never quite seen anything like it. The metalized text on the dial is actually on the bottom of the sapphire crystal. The watch is available in the all black tones as pictured or in steel and platinum tones.

Inside the thin watch is an ETA 255.441 quartz movement, but you really can't tell as there is no seconds hand. I must admit that it is a pretty watch with a significant "stealth wealth" feel. Not that the watch isn't impressive, but rather that the luxury appointments are designed into the watch in a creative and subtle manner. More of a connoisseurs Rado, versus something too showy. Of course the watch isn't exactly a breeze to read, but this fine timpiece runs more on the jewelry, rather than instrument side of watches.

Ariel Adams publishes the popular watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: ceramic, Jubile, rado, timepiece, watch

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

dyt1983 May 16th 2009 3:22PM

So this watch is the "first" all-ceramic watch from Rado, but then it's not really all-ceramic (movement, crystal, dial... what else was not mentioned?). Why is it the "first" then when previous Rado watches are not all-ceramic? Does "all-ceramic" just imply that the back is now ceramic, or the structure is now ceramic? I have a Ceramica Multifunction and wondering which parts of it are now ceramic to be considered "all-ceramic".

Ariel Adams May 16th 2009 6:22PM

This is a good comment. The language of "first all ceramic" came from Rado themselves - and to be honest they didn't explain much. I was sort of musing on the statement as there is plenty of non ceramic parts. I believe it has to do with the fact that the bracelet and case are joined together in a manner where all you visually see is ceramic (save for elements of the face of course). So in reality, I am not really sure what is all ceramic about it.

jos.van.hugte Jun 8th 2009 4:01AM

the bracelet and case are made of high tech ceramics. the links are attached to each other with small inner links made of a very hard composite material. and ofcourse the crystal is made of very hard sapphire glass. the rado sintra is a watch that is almost completely made of high tech ceramics; only the crystal and the clasp aren't.

giorginomex Jul 15th 2009 2:58PM

Glad to lend a hand...
Let's not get it too complicated...Ceramica was the "first" true Ceramic watch Rado introduced when it came out, never was it done before, way back when. The Ceramica is the "grand pa' all ceramic watches that have come out since. Watch companies love to repaet their claim to fame, love to remind you that they are special and history makers. This watch is most likely the same Ceramica watch you can buy already , but with the diamonds. That simple. Swisslivingame, living in Switzerland..
P.S Looks great, how much will it cost ??

giorginomex Jul 15th 2009 3:00PM

Ariel Adams Jul 15th 2009 7:11PM

Thanks for the follow up. Watch companies often like to make a big deal out of facts that are either old, or not nearly as impressive as they sound. Not really sure about the price - could really vary, and those black diamonds on the dial typically inflate the price a lot. Not going to venture a guess on this one.