Pioneers, Innovators, Visionaries. Rado have consistently pushed the limits of technology, creating outstanding and distinctive Swiss made watches from innovative and pioneering materials. Their unique aesthetics have fascinated the world along with their groundbreaking approach to watchmaking.

Founded in 1917 in the small town of Lengnau, the company was founded as Schlup & co., and was the dream of three brothers, Fritz, Ernst and Werner Shlup. However it wasn’t until 1957 that the first watch collection was revealed to the world under the Rado name, and the world began to recognize the brand.


The launch of the Diastar 1 in 1962 cemented Rado’s reputation as pioneers, introducing to the world the first scratch resistant watch. Since then Rado have continuously introduced watches that have fascinated the watchmaking world, such as the Rado Couple in 1987 with its stunning dome shaped sapphire crystal, and the Integral in 1986, with a bracelet made from high-tech ceramic, a material which quickly became a trademark of Rado watches.

1992 marked the 75th anniversary of the founding of Schlup & Co. and the very next year Rado commemorated the event in the only way they knew. Pushing the boundaries of watchmaking to new realms, Rado unveiled the Sintra, the first watch made of Cermet, a titanium based ceramic.


These advances in technology, paired with distinctive designs have seen Rado win numerous international design awards, including the Innovation Prize at the Technology Centre Switzerland in 1995 for the Rado Concept 1, which was at the time the hardest watch in the world.

The amazing feat of creating the hardest watch in the world, was quickly superseded in 2002 by Rado themselves, when they introduced the Rado V10K. Made of high-tech diamond, this outstanding watch is as resilient as real diamond, another pioneering step in the world of watchmaking.

Rado have utilized their strengths in technology to create world class watches that withstand everyday life, in an outstanding way. “If we can imagine it, we can make it, and if we can make it, we will”


Rado is available at our Nottingham branch.
For any enquiries please contact:
Nottingham: Tel (0115) 947 2692 or Email:
[email protected]