Harder than a drill bit: the tungsten-carbide Rado I bought for the missus
Not my usual twerp
Last video of the year, bros, and I'll use my normal voice tonight. This is the Rado DiaStar. I don't normally review women's watches, and this is supposed to be a men's watch at 35 mm, though not many men are going to wear one. I bought it for my partner. It's her first automatic. There's a 27.5 mm version too, but that one's tiny. The DiaStar has been in production since 1967, over 55 years, and there's a lot about it that's very interesting.
Harder than a drill bit
You'd have to ask: why's it got such a high polished, massive surface that'll scratch immediately? Because this is not steel or gold or anything else. This is tungsten carbide, the same stuff as the drill bits that go deep into the ground looking for minerals. About 1,200 Vickers, I believe. It's not totally scratch proof, but you can actually wear this without worrying about scratching it. And look at the crystal: sapphire, chamfered all round.
Powermatic 80 for the beeeech
Swiss made, with the ETA Powermatic 80, the same thing you get in the Hamiltons and the Tissots and the rest of the Swatch group. 80 hours of power reserve, and this one's running exceptionally well: plus two a day. Day-date, lovely black date wheel, white day wheel, and the Rado anchor that moves around. That's what Rado does. Those sparkly bits aren't diamonds, mind. Some sort of synthetic.
The catches
30 metres. It looks like a diver. It's not a Doxa. You might get near the sink to wash up some plates, but it's not going to take you into the depths. 200 fathoms, Jules Verne, not even once, bro. The crown is push-pull and very hard to turn. And it's a strange bracelet, rolled metal with solid end links, and a lovely Rado clasp with a double push-button deployant. Stamped metal, though.
Verdict
£1,050 list. We got a discount and paid £870, and you can pick them up used for about £750. Ladies' watches aren't usually my cup of tea, but this one is particularly interesting. Really a great piece, and a great first automatic for anyone's girlfriend or wife. Stay freaky, never give up.
