Vintage Rado Silver Moon Day-Date
Dress / Informal Lifestyle Watch · Rado (part of Swatch Group). Known for avant-garde design and pioneering use of scratch-resistant materials.
Period: Space Age / Retro-Modern (Late 1960s to 1970s). Defined by the octagonal interior geometry, bold baton hands, and the 'Silver Moon' astronomical naming convention.
Type
Dress / Informal Lifestyle Watch
Brand
Rado (part of Swatch Group). Known for avant-garde design and pioneering use of scratch-resistant materials.
Movement
Automatic self-winding, likely an ETA-based caliber such as the 2789 or 2836-2. Features include approximately 40 hours of power reserve, 21,600 or 28,800 bph, and a day-date complication.
Dimensions
Case diameter: 36mm; Thickness: 12mm; Lug-to-lug: 41mm; Lug width: 18mm. Typical of 1970s mid-size men’s watches.
Description
The Rado Silver Moon is a quintessential example of 1970s Swiss funky-formal design. It features a unique octagonal framing on the dial that provides a depth-defying visual contrast against the round case. Its most charming feature is the swinging anchor at 12 o’clock—a Rado hallmark where the logo actually rotates with the wearer's movement.
Key Features
Swinging red anchor logo; Octagonal inner dial; Day-date complication; Silver Moon script branding; Cushion-style case architecture.
Dial Description
Two-tone 'Bullseye' style with a charcoal grey brushed octagonal center and a black outer ring. Features a swinging red anchor logo at 12, gold-toned baton hands with lume strips, and a day-date window at 3.
Case Material
Stainless steel with a polished finish on the bezel and brushed lug surfaces. Rado often used harder metals, but this appears to be standard 316L steel.
Crystal Type
Acrylic or Mineral glass. Flat top with potential internal faceting or flat surfaces typical of the Silver Moon series.
Bezel Details
Fixed, smooth, polished stainless steel bezel integrated into the cushion-style case.
Crown & Pushers
Small, partially recessed push-pull crown at 3 o'clock, likely signed with the Rado anchor emblem.
Bracelet or Strap
Integrated-style stainless steel H-link or 'flat-link' bracelet with a folding clasp. The design blends seamlessly into the lug curve.
Caseback Details
Solid screw-down stainless steel caseback, typically engraved with the triple seahorse Rado logo and reference/serial numbers.
Movement Type
Automatic self-winding, likely an ETA-based caliber such as the 2789 or 2836-2. Features include approximately 40 hours of power reserve, 21,600 or 28,800 bph, and a day-date complication.
Water Resistance
Originally 30m (splash resistant); currently treated as non-water resistant due to age-related gasket degradation.
Origin & Provenance
Swiss Made; manufactured in Lengnau, Switzerland. Uses an in-house adjusted Swiss ETA movement.
Age Estimate
Circa 1972-1978 based on the dial graphics and 'Silver Moon' model lifespan.
Cultural Significance
Represents the era when Rado pushed the boundaries of case and dial geometry, moving away from traditional round watches toward the experimental shapes of the 1970s.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Visible scratches on the bezel and bracelet. Lume on the hands shows signs of oxidation/discoloration. Dial appears well-preserved with no major moisture damage visible.
Value Estimate
$250 - $550 USD depending on mechanical health and local market demand.
Care & Maintenance
Service every 5 years due to age of lubricants; avoid water exposure as vintage seals are likely decayed; polish crystal with PolyWatch if acrylic.
Similar Watches
Rado Voyager, Rado Purple Horse, Mido Commander (Aquadura), Seiko 'Lord Matic' 5606- series.
Interesting Facts
The 'swinging anchor' logo is not just for show; in some Rado models, if the anchor stops swinging freely, it is an informal indicator that the movement requires lubrication/servicing.