Rado celebrates 40 Years High-Tech Ceramic

SOME BEAUTY IS NATURAL AND ETERNAL

Dear Watch-Lovers, 

From the very beginning, Rado has been driven by a powerful belief: progress  has no limits. Guided by a deep commitment to research and development in  both materials and design, the brand has continually challenged the boundaries of what is possible, opening new territories and redefining the future of  watchmaking.

In 1962, we unveiled the DiaStar Original – the world’s first scratch resistant watch crafted in Hardmetal – and it created a sensation. Our mission was clear: to give the world a timepiece of lasting beauty, with unmistakable design, ultra-brilliant lustre, and enduring accuracy. That first bold step into Hardmetal was only the beginning; it initiated a relentless commitment to innovation that continues to define Rado’s identity today.

For decades, our engineers and designers challenged and surpassed existing limits of watchmaking. Hardness alone was not enough. We envisioned a material that would combine strength with lightness, resistance with sensual tactility – a material that feels like a second skin, and that keep its brilliance for a lifetime. After years of research and development, that vision became reality in 1986 with the launch of the Integral, the world’s first watch collection crafted in high-tech ceramic.

This achievement remains one of the proudest chapters in our history. High-tech ceramic embodies everything Rado stands for: beautiful design, exceptional durability, remarkable scratch resistance, and a smooth, silky touch that adapts instantly to the wearer’s body temperature. It offers a timeless brilliance that never fades – a natural, eternal beauty that you can truly Feel. Today, high-tech ceramic has become the signature of our brand, shaping nearly all of our collections and reaffirming our status as the Master of Materials.

The Integral itself was an icon from day one. Its refined rectangular silhouette, seamless integration of case and bracelet, and harmonious curved profiles introduced a new era of ergonomic design in watchmaking. The Integral quickly became a symbol of Rado’s forward-thinking spirit and its unwavering dedication to redefining modern form.

In 2026, we proudly celebrate not only 40 years of the Integral, but four decades of mastery in high-tech ceramic. And to honour this milestone, we are delighted to present the Integral 40-Year Anniversary Edition, a tribute to the pioneering 1986 model that started it all. This anniversary edition reinterprets the signature codes of the original Integral, while elevating it with the latest innovations in Rado’s materials. It is both a celebration of heritage and a clear continuation of our journey toward the future.

This special edition stands as a reminder of what makes Rado unique: the courage to imagine, the determination to experiment, and the mastery to transform visionary ideas into timeless design. It reflects the bold, creative spirit of our founders, whose guiding words still define us today:

“If we can imagine it, we can make it. And if we can make it, we will.”

I invite you to explore the story of our four decades of high-tech ceramic legacy, and to experience the new Integral 40-Year Anniversary Edition – a watch that honours the past, celebrates the present, and inspires the future.

Warm regards,

Adrian Bosshard
Rado CEO