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Rado HyperChrome 45mm Mens Watch
Ref. R32259153
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Stepping up in the same colour and case shape
The HyperChrome line is Rado's argument that a sports watch can carry the material ambitions the brand is known for without softening into something purely decorative. The black ceramic bezel does the work that a conventional steel or aluminium insert cannot — it will not scratch from daily contact, and the tachymeter scale engraved into it stays sharp indefinitely rather than wearing to illegibility over years of use. At 44.9mm the case reads large but sits at only 11.7mm, which is restrained for a chronograph at this diameter, and the mixed stainless and titanium bracelet keeps the 167g total weight lower than a full steel construction would allow. The three sub-dials — tracking to a tenth of a second — sit clearly against the black dial, and the date window falls at 4 o'clock where it avoids interrupting the symmetry of the chronograph layout. The anti-reflective coating on the sapphire means the dial remains readable in direct light rather than washing out, which matters more on a watch with this much information to show at a glance.
- Reference
- R32259153
- Brand
- Rado
- Collection
- HyperChrome
- Case size
- 44.9mm
- Case thickness
- 11.7mm
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Case shape
- Round
- Dial
- Black
- Crystal
- Sapphire
- Bezel
- Fixed tachymeter
- Movement
- Quartz
- Calibre
- R312
- Functions
- Chronograph, Date, Tachymeter
- Water resistance
- 50m
- Bracelet / strap
- Stainless steel bracelet
- Strap colour
- Silver
- Clasp
- Folding clasp
- Retailer
- Mappin & Webb
Additional specifications
- Origin
- Swiss made
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 5 collections
This watch appears in the Rado HyperChrome range (8), Back in Stock (3,460), Stainless Steel Watches (2,531), Chronograph Watches (914) and Watches 44mm and Over (569).
Best of 2 retailers
What the specifications mean
Strengths
- Sapphire crystal, which resists scratching
- Sits in the lower half of Rado's range as we list it
Worth knowing
- 50m suits rain and handwashing, not swimming
- 44.9mm sits at the larger end
Rado HyperChrome alternatives
Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.
| Specification | R32259153 | 98B452 | YA136208A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,550 | £995 | £1,400 |
| Case size | 44.9mm | 43mm | 45mm |
| Water resistance | 50m | 50m | 200m |
| Movement | Quartz | Quartz | Quartz |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet | Rubber strap | Stainless steel bracelet |
| This watch |
|
|
Your new watch
Frequently asked questions, and things you should know about this watch
Can I swim with it?
Showering yes, swimming no. 50m covers splashes and brief immersion, but a swimming stroke generates well above the pressure that figure describes.
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?
Yes. It is quartz, so expect a battery change every two to three years at a jeweller.
Quartz, automatic and solar comparedIs it a men's or women's watch?
Listed as men's.
Cheapest place to buy
Both Mappin & Webb and Goldsmiths list it at £1,550, so choose on delivery and warranty rather than price.
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