It is currently 19 Oct 2025, 11:36


Tungsten metal Rado

Owners of VINTAGE DSM and LCD watches post their topics over here
  • Author
  • Message
Offline
User avatar

dutchsiberia

Techno Mage

Techno Mage

  • Posts: 635
  • Joined: 23 Dec 2011, 00:25
  • Location: Grootegast, Netherlands

Tungsten metal Rado

Post08 May 2014, 22:32

Thanks to Bruce Wegmann's help I was able to buy this half working Rado. The circuit seemed to be faulty, but luckily I had an other working circuit :)
The case is made of tungsten carbide with a sapphire crystal. No scratches :) The faceplate has some damage, maybe due to leaky batteries?

But it still looks super cool :)
Image

Back, and the original bracelet.
Image

Nice looking :)
Image

No scratches!
Image
Offline
User avatar

simone

Guru

Guru

  • Posts: 965
  • Joined: 11 Jan 2012, 19:54
  • Location: Milan,ITALY

Re: Tungsten metal Rado

Post09 May 2014, 10:24

Wowwwww :mega: :mega: :mega:
Congratulations...fantastic design and amazing module! A keeper.....

:dwf:
Some watches are made to last only as long as they are fashionable
Some watches, simply are not made to last
Seiko watches are designed to withstand the ravages of both time and fashion
Someday perhaps, all watches will be made this way
Offline
User avatar

bruce wegmann

Pulsar Moderator

Pulsar Moderator

  • Posts: 1310
  • Joined: 02 Aug 2004, 02:13
  • Location: San Diego, CA

Re: Tungsten metal Rado

Post09 May 2014, 11:15

Having held this watch, I can tell you, it looks even better "in person" than it does in the pics. The tungsten carbide case has an optical surface (as you might expect; even hardened tool steel would bounce off it and not leave a mark). It has about the same weight as it would if made of 18K gold, and so has a hefty, solid feel to it. A classic space-age design, especially given the choice of case materials.
Glad I could help getting it where it needed to be.
Offline

ronaldheld

Wizard

Wizard

  • Posts: 403
  • Joined: 14 Jan 2004, 16:23

Re: Tungsten metal Rado

Post09 May 2014, 13:16

Nice looking.
Offline
User avatar

dutchsiberia

Techno Mage

Techno Mage

  • Posts: 635
  • Joined: 23 Dec 2011, 00:25
  • Location: Grootegast, Netherlands

Re: Tungsten metal Rado

Post09 May 2014, 20:38

bruce wegmann wrote:Having held this watch, I can tell you, it looks even better "in person" than it does in the pics. The tungsten carbide case has an optical surface (as you might expect; even hardened tool steel would bounce off it and not leave a mark). It has about the same weight as it would if made of 18K gold, and so has a hefty, solid feel to it. A classic space-age design, especially given the choice of case materials.
Glad I could help getting it where it needed to be.


I shall name it "the Bruce Wegmann watch" :)

I really like the material, I learned on another forum that it is also called "Widia" In German "Wie diamant".

Image
Offline

Delmarva

Member

Member

  • Posts: 20
  • Joined: 03 Feb 2014, 07:11

Re: Tungsten metal Rado

Post10 May 2014, 04:21

Lovely watch. Tungsten carbide has a subtle metallic sheen that is attractive in person but impossible to photograph. Congratulations.
Offline
User avatar

Kasper

Guru

Guru

  • Posts: 2449
  • Joined: 25 Aug 2011, 10:25
  • Location: Belgium

Re: Tungsten metal Rado

Post10 May 2014, 17:27

Great shot..them all together.

I shall name it "the Bruce Wegmann watch" :)
nope, nope, nope..it had to be gold then :grin1:
Hey you all...this board is FREE and without ADS, so at least post something every now and then to show your appreciation.


Get the latest active topics of the board here.
http://www.newdwf.com/search.php?search_id=active_topics

- Kasper -
Offline
User avatar

vespa78

Geek

Geek

  • Posts: 58
  • Joined: 22 Apr 2013, 20:25
  • Location: Croatia, Switzerland

Re: Tungsten metal Rado

Post10 May 2014, 18:31

[/quote] nope, nope, nope..it had to be gold then :grin1:[/quote]

like mine then... :mega:

Image
Offline
User avatar

dutchsiberia

Techno Mage

Techno Mage

  • Posts: 635
  • Joined: 23 Dec 2011, 00:25
  • Location: Grootegast, Netherlands

Re: Tungsten metal Rado

Post10 May 2014, 20:50

Very nice! Does it hold well? Goldplating on the tungsten?
Offline
User avatar

vespa78

Geek

Geek

  • Posts: 58
  • Joined: 22 Apr 2013, 20:25
  • Location: Croatia, Switzerland

Re: Tungsten metal Rado

Post10 May 2014, 21:26

yes, looks like brand-new out of the store, the tungsten uppercase. the only way you can tell the watch was worn is the buckle, it has weared off.
Bruce Wegmann said it best: ,,it looks and feels like 18k solid Gold''
qualitywise it is the best watch I have in my Collection.
Offline
User avatar

Kasper

Guru

Guru

  • Posts: 2449
  • Joined: 25 Aug 2011, 10:25
  • Location: Belgium

Re: Tungsten metal Rado

Post10 May 2014, 21:31

i wonder how many brands used this material in there lcd watches? Any idea's?
Hey you all...this board is FREE and without ADS, so at least post something every now and then to show your appreciation.


Get the latest active topics of the board here.
http://www.newdwf.com/search.php?search_id=active_topics

- Kasper -
Offline
User avatar

bruce wegmann

Pulsar Moderator

Pulsar Moderator

  • Posts: 1310
  • Joined: 02 Aug 2004, 02:13
  • Location: San Diego, CA

Re: Tungsten metal Rado

Post10 May 2014, 23:51

Not many, I would guess... The only way this material can be worked or shaped is with diamond tools; probably a bigger investment than most watch manufacturers would be willing to make. As for the gold plating, I don't think it would pose any major challenge, if the surface was prepared correctly. A method has even been found to plate gold on Teflon (for electronic circuit boards); if it's possible to make the two most naturally slippery substances stick together, I imagine you can plate gold on anything.

Return to Vintage DSM and LCD Watches

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 36 guests