Time to review another vintage piece, this time it is a Rado.
The Voyager has been a Rado model that has been around for a long time.
Strangely enough it is one of those models which has had different variations released along the years yet hardly any concrete info of it can be found online.
I have tried reading about it, to find out more of the story behind this piece but it is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Just some back info on what shot Rado into “stardom”. Back in 1962, Rado produced the world’s first scratch-proof watch, the DiaStar, since then Rado set an industry standard in scratch proof watches and is still a market leader in scratch proof watches. Rado today still produces fine Swiss luxury timepieces, with multiple styles, having tough, sporty and timeless classic pieces as well.
Today we talk about the Voyager, which sounds somewhat like dive or boat watch or perhaps even to space, in reference to the term, “To voyage”.
As the golden age of space travel as set in the sixties, when Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon.
Voyager is the name of a model line by Rado, this particular model was around from the late 1960s towards the end of 1980s.
At the beginning, it was just one of many models. It did later it became s.th. like an entrance class model which was marketed for the Fareast markets.
There are countless variations of this piece. All have automatic day/date movements. This model was somewhat like a mass produced model, for the everyday man. There were literally tons of these watches by the end of the 1980s. The Voyager was in my own opinion and this may be true, was the most produced piece in their range.
With the never ending variations, the Voyager was more than just a model but an entire product range of one type of model.
For an everyday watch, it was a practical model and better yet, Swiss made and automatic as well.
For a piece which seems to be selling really well, it was a surprise it ended production.
Though if you think about it, it probably happened due to the Quartz Crisis back in the day.
So what did Rado tell me about my piece, they said
“Yours is from 1982 or later, inside should be an ETA 2836-2 automatic movement with day/date, as the first three digits of the reference number(636.xxxx.x). This movement came 1982. Snap on backs were usual at that time at Rado. From what I can see, it is completely authentic.
The water resistance is always a problem at vintage watches. If you want to have it waterproof, you need new gaskets for the back and crown and a hydrostatic test to be sure. That´s expensive. If you want to wear it regularly, you should have it serviced(cleaning, oiling, adjusting) by a good watchmaker.
Hope this helps. Enjoy it and wear it in health!”
I was ecstatic to know that I have yet another original vintage piece in my possession. Plus the last bit from their staff was kind of quirky, wear it in health!
For now this piece is kept in my collection, it is not a piece that I wear frequently as it is too small for my wrist, nonetheless it is a lovely piece that I love admiring.
If only they made the back case transparent or see through, that would have been brilliant.
As this was a widely produced piece, its price is somewhat challenging to discuss. What factors encompasses a Voyager worthy of a mentioning.
It all comes down to the same few factors for every piece I guess? The rarity, condition and current market demand. As we speak, there isn’t really a hype or excitement surrounding vintage Rado pieces except maybe the old DiaStars. Then again in about 10 years, the picture may be totally different?
You may come across many Rados online, especially on eBay. If you think it suits you and the price is right, why not go for it.
This is a nice piece to have for anyone beginning a collection. It isn’t something really fancy or pricy.
I see it as a quintessential piece that perhaps set the tone for automatic watches back in the 1960s, it was an everyday watch. It was somewhat like what our Seikos are today.
Below are some pics of my Rado, it is still in a fairly good condition.
The automatic movement works well and it can run well.
Condition perhaps 7.5-8 out of 10. There are some signs of wear on the face and some visible scratches
The Voyager has been a Rado model that has been around for a long time.
Strangely enough it is one of those models which has had different variations released along the years yet hardly any concrete info of it can be found online.
I have tried reading about it, to find out more of the story behind this piece but it is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Just some back info on what shot Rado into “stardom”. Back in 1962, Rado produced the world’s first scratch-proof watch, the DiaStar, since then Rado set an industry standard in scratch proof watches and is still a market leader in scratch proof watches. Rado today still produces fine Swiss luxury timepieces, with multiple styles, having tough, sporty and timeless classic pieces as well.
Today we talk about the Voyager, which sounds somewhat like dive or boat watch or perhaps even to space, in reference to the term, “To voyage”.
As the golden age of space travel as set in the sixties, when Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon.
Voyager is the name of a model line by Rado, this particular model was around from the late 1960s towards the end of 1980s.
At the beginning, it was just one of many models. It did later it became s.th. like an entrance class model which was marketed for the Fareast markets.
There are countless variations of this piece. All have automatic day/date movements. This model was somewhat like a mass produced model, for the everyday man. There were literally tons of these watches by the end of the 1980s. The Voyager was in my own opinion and this may be true, was the most produced piece in their range.
With the never ending variations, the Voyager was more than just a model but an entire product range of one type of model.
For an everyday watch, it was a practical model and better yet, Swiss made and automatic as well.
For a piece which seems to be selling really well, it was a surprise it ended production.
Though if you think about it, it probably happened due to the Quartz Crisis back in the day.
So what did Rado tell me about my piece, they said
“Yours is from 1982 or later, inside should be an ETA 2836-2 automatic movement with day/date, as the first three digits of the reference number(636.xxxx.x). This movement came 1982. Snap on backs were usual at that time at Rado. From what I can see, it is completely authentic.
The water resistance is always a problem at vintage watches. If you want to have it waterproof, you need new gaskets for the back and crown and a hydrostatic test to be sure. That´s expensive. If you want to wear it regularly, you should have it serviced(cleaning, oiling, adjusting) by a good watchmaker.
Hope this helps. Enjoy it and wear it in health!”
I was ecstatic to know that I have yet another original vintage piece in my possession. Plus the last bit from their staff was kind of quirky, wear it in health!
For now this piece is kept in my collection, it is not a piece that I wear frequently as it is too small for my wrist, nonetheless it is a lovely piece that I love admiring.
If only they made the back case transparent or see through, that would have been brilliant.
As this was a widely produced piece, its price is somewhat challenging to discuss. What factors encompasses a Voyager worthy of a mentioning.
It all comes down to the same few factors for every piece I guess? The rarity, condition and current market demand. As we speak, there isn’t really a hype or excitement surrounding vintage Rado pieces except maybe the old DiaStars. Then again in about 10 years, the picture may be totally different?
You may come across many Rados online, especially on eBay. If you think it suits you and the price is right, why not go for it.
This is a nice piece to have for anyone beginning a collection. It isn’t something really fancy or pricy.
I see it as a quintessential piece that perhaps set the tone for automatic watches back in the 1960s, it was an everyday watch. It was somewhat like what our Seikos are today.
Below are some pics of my Rado, it is still in a fairly good condition.
The automatic movement works well and it can run well.
Condition perhaps 7.5-8 out of 10. There are some signs of wear on the face and some visible scratches
