Radically Modern: Rado Diastar Original

Additionally, they used a sapphire-crystal glass that was almost as hard as diamond, rather than the more traditional mineral or polymer. The distinctive oval shape of the case was a result of the difficulties of machining the Hardmetal alloy without the modern technologies of laser-assisted CNC techniques, but the unique design struck the decision-makers as just the right balance of technical and futuristic. The DiaStar had been born, and the makers had achieved their goal to become the “Master of Materials.”

The concept was so successful that the marketing strategy for the new watch included demonstrations during which people were asked to try their best to damage the watch using knives or nail files. None were ever able to mar the watch, leading to the tagline, “It looks great when you buy it and it will look great for the rest of your life.”

Rado CEO Adrian Bosshard recalls, “For decades, watch connoisseurs have been wearing this watch. I have distinct memories from my childhood about family members and their acquaintances wearing a DiaStar, and today, those watches still look like new. This certainly is one reason for me becoming a watch lover myself and I am proud that the Rado DiaStar Original has a firm place in the bestseller list of many countries around the globe, to this day.”