This gives a horizontal and vertical symmetry. The applied "Rado" and "DiaStar" logos provide horizontal visual balance at the 9 and 3 positions the anchor is visually balanced vertically by the 6-eater day/date window. The dial has the trademark rotating anchor just below the 12, which is slightly weighted and pivots as the watch is turned. Unlike prominently faceted crystals that are more like prisms, the dial is read easily through this one under all lighting conditions. The faceted sapphire crystal is relatively thick compared to a flat one, but the thin vertical facets are subtle giving a shallow rise from the sides toward a wider flat portion in the middle. The signed crown is partially recessed into the case to reduce its prominence, but can still be wound without undue difficulty. The signed closure has side buttons to open it, and the thick butterfly mechanism under it is made of Titanium (the only titanium part of the watch). The clasp is a unique butterfly with one side of the butterfly shorter than the other. These have been replaced on at least the "XL" size with a band that looks similar but is noticeably thicker and heavier with solid stainless steel links that are highly polished to a mirror finish. Unfortunately, NSA is no longer in business. They were high quality bands in their era. Links were of heavy stainless steel sheet metal rolled around thick pins. These were unique bands that had a traditional folding clasp with a unique feature that would allow it to stretch some using internal springs and a metal tab. This is not the National Security Agency, but a Swiss company that made stainless steel bands for not only Rado, but quite a few other high end watch companies. Most of the vintage seen on the market have bands that were made by "NSA" for Rado. While the location of the logos, day/date and and trademark rotating anchor have changed, the general dial and hands style hasn't changed in at least 30 years. In reality, it's the subtle facets and how they cast light on the dial, which has a subtle, very fine metallic flake finish. The faceting is subtle normally when looking at the watch one sees vertical bands on the dial that at a glance appear to be part of the dial finish itself. The crystal is of thick, multi-faceted man-made sapphire (aka corundum), harder and more "scratch-proof" than the case shell. The shell is permanently fitted over a traditional 316L stainless inner casing to house the movement, is signed with the Rado name on the side opposite the crown, and has the watch's serial number finely etched into the side below the "6" instead of the traditional location on the back. The "scratch-proof" hard-metal case shell is made of titanium or tungsten carbide, molded under extremely high heat and pressure, and polished to a mirror finish. Difference between the two sizes is essntially that, their size. The vast majority of the men's found are the "Large" size. The one depicted here is the "XL" or Extra-Large, a size that's difficult to find. Extra-Large a men's large size (39 x 46 mm).Medium womens' size (27 x 30 mm automatic).
Small women's size (21 x 25 mm quartz).The Original DiaStar comes in four sizes: While details have changed over the years, the general concept has remained true in design concept as well as appearance. The Rado Original DiaStar and its sister collection, the Original, continue the general case, dial and crystal design of the 1962 DiaStar Original, making it their classic. Since then, Rado has distinctively differentiated itself from the rest of the watch industry by using unique and unusual high technology materials for equally unique and "scratch-proof" dress watch designs. The Rado DiaStar Original made its debut in 1962 as the world's first "scratch-proof" watch. Within The Swatch Group, Rado and Longines are considered "High Range" brands, between "Prestige Range" brands such as Blancpain and Omega, and "Middle Range" brands such as Tissot and Mido. In 1986 it was renamed SMH, and was renamed again in 1998 as The Swatch Group. In 1983, ASUAG with its Rado and Longines brands merged with SSIH, which held the Omega and Tissot brands, to form the ASUAG-SSIH Holding Company. Longines merged with them in 1931 to form ASUAG, and they became Switzerland's largest movement maker. They began by producing only watch movements. Rado was founded in 1917 as the Schlup & Co. Lume stripes on hands and subtly embedded in indices.Signed outer case, crown and band clasp.Stainless steel inner case, crown and back.20mm wide X 3mm thick solid link stainless steel band.Updated version of the original 1962 "Scratch-Proof" watch.