r5.5

Rado r5.5 Automatic Watch

This is the next Rado watch that was designed by Jasper Morrison. He has been giving Rado new types of modernist minimalist designs recently and they have really helped the brand stay in character but also relevant in today's market. I have a special place in my heart for Rado given their work to advance ceramic watches being of the first to offer them en masse.

While many Rado watches arrive with Swiss quartz movements, this new model will feature a Swiss ETA automatic 2829A2 movement that is decorated and visible through the caseback window. Like most Rado watches, the r5.5 Automatic will be constructed mostly of ceramic (in black) and also have some black PVD coated steel and titanium (the caseback) as part of the watch's construction.

I find the dial in the TV screen shaped case to be very easy to read. it is like a Rado interpretation of a diver watch. Really easy to read and spot hour markers done in SuperLuminova luminant that contrast well with the black face. The hands are equally easy to spot making for a bold, yet uncomplicated look. Jasper did a nice job with this one. Unlike most ceramic watches that are shiny in finish, the r5.5 Automatic will have a matte finish that continues onto the bracelet (that is titanium and ceramic). Don't forget that ceramic has a really good ability to resist scratches and wear. Look for the watch soon and likely to cost several thousand dollars.

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

Gallery: Rado r5.5 Automatic Watch

Tags: 2010, automatic, basel, ceramic, r5.5, Rado, watch

Rado r5.5 Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

This is not the first Rado watch I've seen that actually looks like a TV screen - but it does look a lot like one. Applying their new style of minimalism (but not too much minimalism you can't easily read the watch dial), the new Rado r5.5 line is another all ceramic beauty from the brand that doesn't try too hard to look good. These designs are all created by artist Jasper Morrison.The square shaped case gracefully edges into a solid lug structure for the also all ceramic bracelet at the ends of the case. The dials are done with a sunburst polish and the watch comes with gold or steel tone hands and indexes.

You can opt for a chronograph or three-hand variant of the r5.5 watch (I still don't get the name). The thin cases have Swiss quartz movements in them. Rado didn't mention how wide the cases are, so I can't share that with. Crystals are of course sapphire. One thing I have noticed about most all Rado ceramic watches are that no matter how old they are, the watches almost always look new due to the brand's particular good use of the highly scratch resistant ceramic compound. Look for the Rado r5.5 watches soon.

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

Tags: ceramic, jasper morrison, JasperMorrison, r5.5, rado, watch, watch of the day, WatchOfTheDay