• Website: rado.com
• Founded: 1957, Lengnau, Switzerland, with roots dating to 1917
• Founders: Fritz, Ernst, and Werner Schlup
• Owned By: Swatch Group
• Known For: Captain Cook, DiaStar Original, True Square, Centrix, High-Tech Ceramic
• Category Focus: Swiss Mechanical Watches, Ceramic Watches, Sports Watches, Dress Watches
Rado is one of Switzerland's most innovative watchmakers, renowned for its high-tech ceramic expertise, groundbreaking materials, and contemporary design. With roots dating back to 1917, the brand officially launched as Rado in 1957 under the Schlup brothers in Lengnau, Switzerland. Over the decades, Rado has built its reputation by pioneering scratch-resistant materials and redefining what modern Swiss watches can look and feel like.
Known for combining advanced materials, minimalist aesthetics, Swiss precision, and exceptional comfort, Rado has created iconic collections including the Captain Cook, DiaStar Original, True Square, Centrix, Anatom, True Thinline, HyperChrome, and Ceramica. The brand is widely recognized as the “Master of Materials” thanks to its leadership in high-tech ceramic, Ceramos™, and other advanced watchmaking materials.
Today, Rado is part of the Swatch Group, continuing to push the boundaries of design, material science, and Swiss watchmaking innovation.
Captain Cook
DiaStar Original
True Square
Centrix
Anatom
True Thinline
Ceramica
HyperChrome
Rado's story began in 1917, when brothers Fritz, Ernst, and Werner Schlup established a watch movement workshop in Lengnau, Switzerland. After decades producing movements for other companies, they launched the Rado brand in 1957, introducing the Golden Horse collection and laying the foundation for a new era of innovative Swiss watchmaking.
The company's defining breakthrough came in 1962 with the launch of the DiaStar Original, recognized as the world's first scratch-resistant watch made from hardmetal. This innovation established Rado's long-term focus on advanced materials. Over the following decades, the brand pioneered high-tech ceramic, Ceramos™, and ultra-light ceramic cases, earning numerous international design awards and cementing its reputation as one of Swiss watchmaking's most innovative manufacturers.
Key Milestones:
• 1917: The Schlup brothers establish their watch movement workshop in Lengnau.
• 1957: Official launch of the Rado brand with the Golden Horse collection.
• 1962: Introduction of the DiaStar Original, the world's first scratch-resistant watch.
• 1986: Rado introduces the world's first series-produced high-tech ceramic watch.
• 2002: Launch of the V10K, recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's hardest watch.
• 2026: Rado celebrates 40 Years of High-Tech Ceramic while expanding the Captain Cook, DiaStar Original Skeleton, and True Round Open Heart collections.
Rado continues demonstrating that material innovation and timeless design can redefine modern Swiss watchmaking.
“Rado transformed material innovation into timeless design, making ceramic watches lighter, tougher, and more distinctive than almost anyone else.”
Rado matters because it transformed material innovation into one of Swiss watchmaking's strongest identities.
Its influence can be seen across:
• High-Tech Ceramic Watches
• Swiss Luxury Watches
• Contemporary Design
• Material Innovation
By combining advanced engineering, award-winning design, and pioneering ceramic technology, Rado continues creating some of the industry's most distinctive modern timepieces.
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