THE RADO DIASTAR ORIGINAL X TEJ CHAUHAN

The Rado DiaStar Original x Tej Chauhan is exactly what you would anticipate from the second collaboration between the Master of Materials and the British superstar of industrial design. With its reimagined DiaStar Original case in yellow gold coloured PVD presented on a radical rubber strap, it is guaranteed to capture every eye in the room. As you would expect from a design from the ever-active vision of Tej Chauhan, it looks as if it could have been delivered to 2025 via a time machine (which is appropriate as the watch itself is a rather splendid time machine!).

From the beginning of the project, Tej Chauhan understood his mission: he was charged with reinterpreting the DiaStar Original, a Rado legend that created a sensation when it was first launched in April of 1962. That watch, with its unmistakable design, has lived up to Rado’s original goal: the creation of an accurate watch with enduring beauty. Tej respected the legacy of that timepiece but delivered an update of the icon that extends the legacy beautifully. Mission clearly accomplished! Let’s check out the details.

We’ve mentioned the Ceramos™ bezel, which is coated in yellow gold coloured PVD. The stainless steel case middle and the crown, which are also coated in yellow gold coloured PVD, extend the effect brilliantly. The polished dark grey PVD coated stainless steel case back is fitted with a sapphire crystal featuring the engraving “SPECIAL EDITION TEJ CHAUHAN”.

An alluring matt black dial is on proud display through the radial faceted sapphire crystal. A pleasing contrast to the complex watch face is offered by the printed minute track in silver and blue, the colours that are also used for the applied indexes at each five-minute interval. There is a sandblasted black gold coloured applied Rado logo and the word “Automatic” is printed in a silver colour. The brand’s much-loved moving anchor symbol, always a Rado fan favourite  is set against a black background.

The polished black gold coloured central hour and minute hands are treated with white Super-LumiNova®, and the seconds hand, in neon yellow paint, is another riveting high- light as it sweeps around the dial. A day-date window at the 3 o’clock position features Tej Chauhan’s proprietary font.

At the heart of the Rado DiaStar Original x Tej Chauhan is Rado’s celebrated Calibre R764, an automatic movement that delivers a power reserve of 80 hours. Exceeding standard testing requirements, the watch is adjusted in five positions and its antimagnetic Nivachron™ hairspring helps to ensure outstanding timekeeping performance. The timepiece is water resistant to 10 bar (100 metres).

And about that strap: it could only have been designed by Tej Chauhan. Crafted from grey pillow-shaped rubber, it is secured by a polished dark grey PVD coated stainless steel extendable folding clasp. The polished yellow gold coloured cover and pushers, also designed by Tej Chauhan, are engraved “DiaStar Original x Tej Chauhan”.

The Rado DiaStar Original x Tej Chauhan is an update of a Rado classic that will appeal not only to long-time brand aficionados but to design enthusiasts. While it is distinguished by its radical design codes and, of course, the brand’s proprietary materials, it also offers extraordinary wearer comfort and durability thanks to the light weight of the yellow gold coloured PVD-coated Ceramos™ bezel and facetted sapphire crystal glass.

The Rado DiaStar Original x Tej Chauhan is the product of a great watch brand working in close cooperation with the father of Emotive Industrial Design and the result is a time machine unlike any other.