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Rado DiaStar Original Skeleton 38mm Unisex Watch
Ref. R12162153
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Stepping up in the same colour and case shape
The DiaStar Original traces back to 1962, when Rado built a watch specifically around hardness — a scratchproof case at a time when that was genuinely novel. This skeleton takes that same premise and opens up the movement to view, which creates a productive tension: the material ambition of the original paired with deliberate mechanical transparency. The Ceramos bezel — Rado's own hardmetal and ceramic composite — frames the skeletonized dial in a way that keeps the watch looking composed rather than busy. The R808 movement inside is anthracite-grey coated, so the exposed mechanics read as a monochrome structure against which the yellow-gold hands and indices sit with real clarity. At 38mm it wears as well on a narrower wrist as it does broadly styled, and 11.9mm of thickness means it is not a watch that announces itself under a cuff. The Nivachron hairspring resists magnetic interference without needing a soft-iron cage, which keeps the movement visually clean — nothing interrupting the view through front or back. The 80-hour power reserve means a watch left on the nightstand Friday evening is still running Monday morning, and the power reserve indicator makes the remaining run visible at a glance.
- Reference
- R12162153
- Brand
- Rado
- Collection
- DiaStar
- Case size
- 38mm
- Case thickness
- 11.9mm
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Case shape
- Round
- Dial
- Black
- Crystal
- Sapphire
- Movement
- Automatic
- Calibre
- R808
- Functions
- Skeleton dial
- Water resistance
- 100m
- Bracelet / strap
- Stainless steel bracelet
- Strap colour
- Silver
- Clasp
- Deployant clasp
- Lume
- Super-LumiNova
- Retailer
- Goldsmiths
Additional specifications
- Power reserve
- 80 hours
Learn more about Rado
Rado began as Schlup & Co, a movement manufacturer founded by the Schlup brothers in Lengnau in 1917. It became one of the largest movement producers in the world before releasing watches under the Rado name in 1957.
The brand's entire identity rests on a single question: how do you stop a watch from looking worn? The DiaStar of 1962 was marketed as the world's first scratchproof watch, using hardmetal — tungsten carbide — and a sapphire crystal at a time when both were exotic in watchmaking.
Rado then spent decades pushing further into materials most watchmakers avoided because they are difficult to machine and impossible to correct. High-tech ceramic arrived in 1986 with the Integral, and the Ceramica of 1990 was made almost entirely from it. The company developed plasma high-tech ceramic, which is heated to 20,000 degrees to acquire a metallic sheen without any metal content, and Ceramos, a ceramic-metal composite.
The V10K of 2002 used high-tech diamond and reached 10,000 on the Vickers scale — the hardness of diamond itself, and a Guinness record.
Rado's design language is correspondingly clean and monolithic, with the True and Captain Cook lines carrying the modern collection. The company has been part of the Swatch Group since 1983.
- 1917
- Founded as Schlup & Co in Lengnau.
- 1957
- The first watches carry the Rado name.
- 1962
- The DiaStar introduces a scratchproof hardmetal case.
- 1986
- High-tech ceramic enters production.
- 2002
- The V10K reaches diamond-level surface hardness.
Also in 4 collections
This watch appears in the Rado DiaStar range (8), Stainless Steel Watches (2,814), Automatic Watches (1,546) and Skeleton Watches (275).
Manufacturer’s guarantee
What the specifications mean
A mechanical watch for everyday wear.
Strengths
- 100m water resistance covers swimming and watersports
- 38mm suits most wrists
- Sapphire crystal, which resists scratching
- 80-hour reserve survives a weekend off the wrist
- Luminous hands and markers for low light
Rado DiaStar Original Skeleton alternatives
Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.
| Specification | R12162153 | 1000-STP-50001 | 01 733 7771 3157-07 3 19 03BRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,900 | £1,995 | £2,100 |
| Case size | 38mm | 38mm | 38mm |
| Water resistance | 100m | 100m | 100m |
| Movement | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet | Stainless steel bracelet | Leather strap |
| Power reserve | 80 hours | 41 hours | 38 hours |
| This watch | Closely matched | Closely matched |
Your new watch
Frequently asked questions, and things you should know about this watch
Can I swim with it?
Yes. At 100m it is rated for swimming and snorkelling, though not for diving.
Water resistance explainedWill the glass scratch?
Unlikely. Sapphire is second only to diamond in hardness and shrugs off everyday marking.
Sapphire, mineral and acrylic comparedDoes it need a battery?
No. It is automatic — the motion of your wrist winds it, and there is no cell to replace.
Quartz, automatic and solar comparedHow long does it run for when it's not worn?
About 80 hours fully wound — enough to sit off the wrist over a weekend and still be running.
Is it a men's or women's watch?
Listed as unisex, and at this size it suits any wrist that takes the dimensions.
Cheapest place to buy
Goldsmiths is the only UK retailer we track stocking this reference, so there is nothing to compare it against today.
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