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The Rado The Original Automatic R12413073: the 1962 DiaStar silhouette in gold tones, now powered by an 80-hour Swiss automatic.

Quick answer: The Rado The Original Automatic R12413073 is a men's 35 mm Swiss automatic watch built on the design of Rado's 1962 DiaStar, the watch Rado presented as the world's first scratch-resistant watch. Its oval case combines CVD-coated hardmetal with stainless steel and gold-tone PVD, measures just 11.9 mm thick and weighs 68 g. It has a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, a champagne dial with gold-tone luminous hands and a date display, and a gold-tone PVD stainless steel bracelet with three-fold clasp. Inside is Rado's Caliber R764 automatic with an 80-hour power reserve and an anti-magnetic Nivachron hairspring. It is available at Lexor Miami for $1,600 with Rado's 5-year international warranty, free U.S. shipping and free returns.

• Price: $1,600 · 5-year Rado warranty
• Case: 35 mm oval · CVD hardmetal + steel + gold PVD · 11.9 mm · 68 g
• Movement: Rado R764 automatic · 80-hour reserve · Nivachron
• Dial: Champagne with luminous gold-tone hands and date
• Availability: Limited stock at Lexor Miami

Shop The Original Automatic – $1,600

100% Authentic · 5-Year Rado Warranty · Free U.S. Shipping · Free Returns

Introduction: A 1962 Icon With a Mechanical Heart

Some watches look vintage. Others actually are part of watchmaking history. The Rado The Original Automatic R12413073 belongs to the second group. Its oval case, warm gold tones and faceted look come straight from the 1962 DiaStar, the watch that made scratch resistance a reality and turned Rado into the "Master of Materials."

What makes this version special is its engine. Where the classic Original uses quartz, the R12413073 is powered by a Swiss automatic movement that winds itself with the motion of your wrist. No battery, no ticking quartz: just a mechanical heart beating inside a 1960s design icon, with an impressive 80 hours of power reserve.

The proportions are pure vintage. At 35 mm wide and 11.9 mm thick, it sits close to the wrist and slips easily under a shirt cuff, the way watches were meant to be worn before oversized cases took over. The champagne dial, gold-tone luminous hands and gold PVD bracelet complete a look that is retro, warm and undeniably distinctive.

In this guide we cover everything a U.S. buyer should know: the DiaStar story, why CVD-coated hardmetal matters, the R764 movement, verified specifications, how a 35 mm oval watch wears, who this watch suits, comparisons and care. If you are ready, order the Rado The Original Automatic R12413073 here.

The Rado Story: The Master of Materials

Swiss roots since 1917

Rado traces its origins to a movement workshop founded in 1917 in Lengnau, Switzerland. The Rado name arrived in the 1950s, and the brand quickly became known for daring design and a passion for durable materials.

1962: The DiaStar

The DiaStar launched in 1962 and was presented as the world's first scratch-resistant watch. Its case was made of hardmetal, a tungsten-carbide-based material far harder than steel, and its crystal was sapphire. In a decade of scratched steel watches, it was a breakthrough.

From hardmetal to high-tech ceramic

The DiaStar's success led Rado to keep pushing materials science. In 1986 it introduced high-tech ceramic with the Integral, and later Ceramos, a ceramic-metal composite. Today Rado is synonymous with innovative, durable materials.

A design that never left

Rado has reinterpreted the DiaStar many times, but it has never abandoned it. The Original collection keeps the 1962 look alive, and the Automatic version adds the mechanical movement that many collectors prefer.

Why the Automatic Version Matters

A mechanical movement in a DiaStar

For many watch lovers, a mechanical movement is what turns a watch into a true timepiece. The Original Automatic gives you the iconic DiaStar design with a Swiss self-winding caliber inside.

No battery, ever

An automatic watch is powered by the movement of your wrist. As long as you wear it, it keeps running. There is no battery to replace.

80 hours in reserve

Thanks to the R764's 80-hour power reserve, you can take the watch off on Friday and find it still running on Monday morning.

The smooth sweep of a mechanical seconds hand

Instead of the one-step tick of quartz, an automatic's seconds hand moves in a smooth sweep, a small detail that many owners find endlessly satisfying.

Key Features of the Rado The Original Automatic R12413073

• Authentic Swiss-made Rado with a 5-year international warranty.
• Iconic oval DiaStar silhouette, introduced in 1962.
• Case in CVD-coated hardmetal, stainless steel and gold-tone PVD.
• CVD-coated hardmetal bezel for scratch resistance.
• 35 mm diameter with vintage proportions.
• 11.9 mm thick, slim enough for a shirt cuff.
• Lightweight at 68 g.
• Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.
• Champagne dial with gold-tone luminous hands.
• Date display.
• Rado Caliber R764 Swiss automatic.
• 80-hour power reserve.
• Nivachron anti-magnetic hairspring.
• Gold-tone PVD stainless steel bracelet with three-fold clasp.
• Water resistant to 30 m.

Benefits: Why The Original Automatic Works So Well

1. Built to resist wear

The CVD-coated hardmetal bezel and sapphire crystal resist scratches far better than ordinary steel and mineral glass, so the watch keeps its finish for years.

2. Vintage proportions

At 35 mm and 11.9 mm thick, The Original Automatic wears like a classic 1960s watch: elegant, discreet and comfortable.

3. Mechanical soul

A Swiss automatic movement gives the watch character and craftsmanship that quartz cannot match.

4. Weekend-proof

The 80-hour power reserve means you can rotate watches without constantly resetting this one.

5. Modern protection

The Nivachron hairspring resists magnetism from phones, laptops and tablets, helping keep accurate time.

6. Warm, retro style

Gold tones and a champagne dial give the watch a warm, retro character that stands out from steel and black sports watches.

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Technical Specifications

The textured champagne dial and gold-tone hands, framed by the DiaStar's oval case.

Brand	Rado
Collection	The Original Automatic (DiaStar heritage)
Reference	R12413073
Gender	Men's
Movement	Rado Caliber R764, Swiss automatic
Power reserve	80 hours
Hairspring	Nivachron (anti-magnetic)
Functions	Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Case material	CVD-coated hardmetal, stainless steel, stainless steel with gold-tone PVD
Bezel	CVD-coated hardmetal
Crown	Stainless steel with PVD
Case shape	Oval
Diameter	35 mm
Thickness	11.9 mm
Weight	68 g
Crystal	Scratch-resistant sapphire
Case back	Solid
Dial	Champagne
Hands	Gold-tone, luminous
Bracelet	Stainless steel with yellow gold-tone PVD
Clasp	Three-fold, stainless steel with PVD
Water resistance	30 m (3 bar)
Origin	Swiss Made
Warranty	5-year international warranty
GTIN	7612819023144
Price at Lexor Miami	$1,600

How does a 35 mm oval watch wear?

A 35 mm oval case wears with more presence than a 35 mm round watch, because the oval shape follows the wrist. It suits men's wrists from about 6 to 7.25 inches perfectly and has the refined, understated proportions of watches from the 1960s. Men with larger wrists who like vintage style often enjoy it too, especially worn slightly loose on the bracelet.

Is there a women's version?

Yes. Rado also makes The Original Automatic in a 27.3 mm women's size. For a women's quartz alternative, see the Rado The Original R12307304.

CVD-Coated Hardmetal Explained

What is hardmetal?

Hardmetal is a material based on tungsten carbide combined with a metallic binder. It is much harder than stainless steel and takes a brilliant polish, which is why Rado chose it for the 1962 DiaStar.

What does CVD mean?

CVD stands for chemical vapor deposition, a process that bonds a thin, hard coating to a surface. On The Original Automatic, the hardmetal is CVD-coated, giving it its warm gold-tone color while preserving its hardness.

Steel and PVD

Other parts of the case and the bracelet are stainless steel with PVD (physical vapor deposition), another durable coating that provides the matching gold tone.

Why it matters

The bezel takes most of the knocks a watch receives. Making it from coated hardmetal keeps the DiaStar's most recognizable feature looking sharp for years.

The Caliber R764: Swiss Automatic Performance

80 hours of power

The R764 is built on the Swatch Group's modern long-reserve architecture and offers an 80-hour power reserve, roughly double that of traditional automatic movements.

Nivachron hairspring

The Nivachron balance spring is much less sensitive to magnetic fields and temperature changes than traditional springs, improving accuracy in daily life.

Self-winding

A rotor inside the movement turns as you move, winding the mainspring automatically. If the watch has stopped, a few turns of the crown will start it again.

Date display

The R764 drives the date display, adding everyday practicality to the vintage design.

Built for the long term

With proper care and periodic servicing, a Swiss automatic like the R764 can run for decades, making The Original Automatic a watch you can keep and pass down.

Design: A Closer Look

The oval DiaStar case and gold-tone bracelet: 1960s style with modern durability.

The oval case

The DiaStar's oval silhouette is its signature: broad at the center, gently tapering, and sculpted to catch light from every angle.

The champagne dial

The champagne dial has a warm, textured finish that shifts with the light. It pairs naturally with the gold-tone case and bracelet for a cohesive, retro look.

Gold-tone luminous hands

Gold-tone hands with luminous material keep the time readable day and night.

The gold-tone bracelet

The stainless steel bracelet with yellow gold-tone PVD flows from the case and closes with a three-fold clasp, completing the watch's vintage character.

The solid case back

A solid case back protects the automatic movement and keeps the profile slim.

Quartz or Automatic? Which Original Is Right for You?

The Original quartz

The quartz Original is thinner, very accurate and needs no winding. It is ideal if you want maximum convenience and a slightly lower price.

The Original Automatic

The Automatic offers a Swiss mechanical movement, an 80-hour power reserve and the smooth sweep of a mechanical seconds hand. It is the choice for people who value watchmaking craftsmanship.

The bottom line

If you see a watch as a precise tool, quartz is perfect. If you see it as a piece of mechanical art with a story, The Original Automatic R12413073 is the one to choose.

The Original Automatic Within the Rado Family

The Original Automatic is the most accessible way into Rado's mechanical DiaStar line. Collectors who fall for the design often explore further: the DiaStar Original Skeleton Limited Edition R12166309 opens up the movement with a skeletonized dial in a numbered series, while the Integral Limited Edition R20254702 celebrates Rado's other great materials milestone, the 1986 high-tech ceramic Integral. Together they tell the story of how Rado earned its title as the Master of Materials, and The Original Automatic is where that story begins.

Start Your Rado Story – $1,600

Why Vintage-Sized Watches Are Back

For years, men's watches kept getting bigger, with 42, 44 and even 46 mm cases becoming common. Recently, the trend has reversed. Collectors and designers have rediscovered the elegance of smaller watches between 34 and 38 mm, the sizes that dominated the 1950s and 1960s.

Smaller watches are more comfortable, fit under shirt cuffs and look refined rather than flashy. The Original Automatic's 35 mm case fits this movement perfectly: it is a genuinely vintage size from a genuinely vintage design, not a modern watch pretending to be retro.

What Reviewers Appreciate About the DiaStar Family

Independent reviews of Rado's DiaStar-inspired watches consistently highlight their scratch-resistant cases, sapphire crystals, versatile design for both formal and casual wear and comfortable bracelets. Owners add that the oval shape gets noticed: few watches are as instantly recognizable.

How to Choose Your First Swiss Automatic Watch

If The Original Automatic would be your first mechanical watch, these five questions will help you decide with confidence.

1. Where will you wear it most?

For the office, dinners and events, choose a slim, dressy watch that fits under a cuff. For hiking, swimming and the beach, choose a sports or dive watch with at least 100 m of water resistance. The Original Automatic belongs firmly in the first group.

2. What size suits your wrist?

Measure your wrist and compare it with the case size. Watches between 34 and 38 mm suit most wrists from 6 to 7 inches; larger wrists can wear 39 to 42 mm. Remember that oval and cushion cases wear larger than round ones of the same diameter.

3. How much power reserve do you need?

Traditional automatics run about 38 to 42 hours off the wrist. Modern movements like Rado's R764 run 80 hours, which means the watch survives a full weekend in a drawer. If you own more than one watch, a long reserve is a real advantage.

4. Which materials will last?

Steel scratches with daily wear. Materials such as hardmetal and high-tech ceramic, paired with a sapphire crystal, resist scratches far better and keep a watch looking new longer. This is where Rado has specialized since 1962.

5. What warranty and service will you get?

Look for a long manufacturer warranty from an established brand. Rado's 5-year international warranty is one of the longest in Swiss watchmaking, and it gives first-time buyers real peace of mind.

How to Measure Your Wrist

Step 1: Use a soft tape or a strip of paper

Wrap a flexible tape measure, or a strip of paper, around your wrist just above the wrist bone, where a watch normally sits.

Step 2: Mark and measure

If you used paper, mark where it overlaps and measure the length with a ruler.

Step 3: Add comfort room

Add about a quarter of an inch for a comfortable fit, or a little more if you like your watch to sit loosely.

Step 4: Compare and size

Wrists from 6 to 7.25 inches suit the 35 mm Original Automatic perfectly. Lexor Miami can size the bracelet to your measurement in the showroom.

How to Wind and Set Your Rado Automatic

Starting the watch

If your watch has stopped, hold it and turn the crown clockwise 20 to 30 times in its first position. This gives the movement enough energy to start; wearing it then keeps it wound.

Setting the date

Pull the crown to the middle position and turn it to change the date. Avoid doing this between roughly 9 PM and 3 AM, when the date mechanism is engaged.

Setting the time

Pull the crown out fully, set the hands and push it back in. Tip: move the hands past midnight first to confirm whether the watch is set to AM or PM, so the date changes at midnight rather than noon.

Keeping it running

Worn every day, it will stay wound on its own. If you rotate watches, the 80-hour reserve means it will usually still be running when you pick it up again after a weekend.

Gift Guide: The Original Automatic for Every Occasion

Milestone birthdays

A 30th, 40th or 50th birthday deserves a watch with a story. A design from 1962 makes a meaningful gift that will outlast trends.

Graduations and first jobs

A slim, elegant watch for a new professional's first suits is a gift that will be worn every working day.

Weddings and anniversaries

Gold tones and vintage elegance make The Original Automatic a natural choice for a groom's gift or an anniversary present.

Father's Day and retirement

For a father who appreciates classic design, or a well-earned retirement, a Swiss automatic with 80 hours of power is a gift to treasure and eventually pass down.

Gift-ready from Lexor Miami

Every Rado arrives in its original box with warranty documentation. If the size or style is not quite right, approved unused returns within 30 days include a prepaid label.

Who Should Buy the Rado The Original Automatic R12413073?

Vintage watch lovers

If you appreciate 1960s design but want modern reliability, The Original Automatic gives you both.

Men with small to medium wrists

The 35 mm oval case fits wrists from about 6 to 7.25 inches beautifully.

Mechanical watch enthusiasts

A Swiss automatic with 80 hours of power and Nivachron gives real watchmaking substance.

Professionals who wear shirts and suits

At 11.9 mm thick, it slides under a cuff easily, perfect for business attire.

Those who want something different

Gold tones and an oval case stand out in a world of round steel watches.

Gift buyers

For a milestone birthday, anniversary, promotion or retirement, a Swiss automatic with a 1962 story is a meaningful gift.

Who might prefer another model

If you want a larger automatic DiaStar with a bold green dial and day-date, look at the Rado DiaStar Original R12161313. If you prefer a sporty dive watch, consider the Rado Captain Cook 39mm.

See The Original Automatic at Lexor Miami

Why Buy The Original Automatic at Lexor Miami?

Authentic, brand new, 5-year Rado warranty

Every watch from Lexor Miami is 100% authentic and brand new, with original packaging and Rado's 5-year international warranty.

Free shipping and free returns

Products priced at $150 or more ship free within the 48 contiguous United States. Approved returns within 30 days of delivery come with a prepaid return label; items must be unused and in original condition and packaging. Lexor Miami does not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, APO/FPO/DPO addresses, freight forwarders or international destinations.

Try it on in our Miami showroom

Visit Lexor Miami at 2371 NW 20th St, Miami, FL 33142, Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with free parking and on-site security. Try The Original Automatic and have the bracelet sized on the spot.

Trusted by thousands

Lexor Miami is a women-owned family business with more than 20 years in luxury retail and over 3,100 five-star Google reviews.

Safe, flexible payment

Pay securely with major credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Shop Pay and other trusted payment methods.

Expert help

Ask about sizing or gifting on WhatsApp, call +1 (305) 633-0950, use the contact page or read the store FAQs.

The Original Automatic R12413073 vs. Similar Watches

Here is how The Original Automatic compares with other watches at Lexor Miami. Prices reflect Lexor Miami's listings at the time of writing.

Model	Shape / size	Movement	Character	Price
Rado The Original Automatic R12413073	Oval, 35 mm, gold tone	R764 automatic, 80 h	Vintage-sized DiaStar	$1,600
Rado The Original R12307304	Oval, 27.3 mm, two-tone	R079 quartz	Women's DiaStar	$950
Rado DiaStar Original R12161313	Oval, 38 mm, gold PVD Ceramos	R764 automatic, 80 h	Larger, green mosaic dial	$2,200
Rado Captain Cook 39mm R32223313	Round, 39 mm, steel diver	R763 automatic, 80 h	Vintage dive watch	$2,650
Hamilton Khaki Field King Day-Date H64475560	Round, 40 mm, steel	Automatic, 80 h	Field watch, leather strap	$795
Citizen Series 8 880 GMT NB6031-56E	Round, steel	Automatic GMT	Modern travel watch	$1,265

Automatic vs. quartz Original

The quartz Original R12307304 is a women's 27.3 mm watch. The R12413073 is the men's 35 mm automatic, with a mechanical movement and 80-hour reserve.

The Original Automatic vs. DiaStar Original

Both use the R764. The DiaStar Original R12161313 is larger at 38 mm with a green mosaic dial and Ceramos bezel. The R12413073 is smaller, more vintage in size and more affordable.

The Original Automatic vs. Captain Cook

The Captain Cook 39mm is a 300 m dive watch. The Original Automatic is a dressier, vintage-style watch for the office and evenings.

Rado vs. Hamilton Khaki Field King

The Hamilton Khaki Field King Day-Date is a 40 mm Swiss automatic field watch, also with an 80-hour reserve, at a lower price. It is casual and rugged. The Rado is dressier, smaller and built from scratch-resistant hardmetal, with an iconic oval shape and a 5-year warranty.

Rado vs. Citizen Series 8 GMT

The Citizen Series 8 880 GMT is a modern Japanese automatic with a second time zone, ideal for travelers. The Rado is Swiss Made, more vintage in spirit and focused on design heritage rather than travel functions.

Browse all luxury watches and our limited edition watches at Lexor Miami.

The Luxury Lifestyle: Retro Gold, Modern Miami

Mid-century Miami

Miami's MiMo (Miami Modern) architecture, with its curves and optimism, was born in the same era as the DiaStar. Wear The Original Automatic along Biscayne Boulevard or in North Beach and it feels like part of the city's design story.

From the office to the evening

Gold tones and a slim case pair beautifully with a navy suit in Brickell, a linen shirt for lunch in Coral Gables or a guayabera for dinner in Little Havana.

Coordinating with accessories

The gold-tone finish matches gold cufflinks, rings and belt buckles. Complete the look with gold-accented Cartier sunglasses or Cartier optical frames.

Caring for your Original Automatic

• Wear it regularly or wind it with a few turns of the crown if it stops.
• Avoid setting the date between about 9 PM and 3 AM.
• With 30 m water resistance, avoid swimming and showering with the watch.
• Wipe the case and bracelet with a soft cloth; avoid perfume and lotion on the PVD.
• Have the watch serviced by an authorized Rado service center as recommended.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the Rado The Original Automatic R12413073?

It is $1,600 at Lexor Miami, with free shipping within the 48 contiguous states and Rado's 5-year warranty.

What movement does it use?

Rado's Caliber R764 Swiss automatic, with an 80-hour power reserve and a Nivachron anti-magnetic hairspring.

What size is The Original Automatic?

35 mm in diameter, 11.9 mm thick, weighing 68 g, with an oval case.

What is the case made of?

CVD-coated hardmetal, stainless steel and stainless steel with gold-tone PVD.

Is it solid gold?

No. The gold color comes from CVD and PVD coatings on hardmetal and stainless steel.

Is it water resistant?

Yes, to 30 m, suitable for rain and handwashing but not for swimming.

Does it need a battery?

No. It is an automatic watch powered by the motion of your wrist.

What is the connection to the DiaStar?

The Original Automatic is built on the 1962 DiaStar, which Rado presented as the world's first scratch-resistant watch, and keeps its look.

Is 35 mm too small for a man?

No. 35 mm is a classic vintage men's size, and the oval shape gives it more presence than a round 35 mm watch.

What color is the dial?

Champagne, with gold-tone luminous hands and a date display.

Can the bracelet be resized?

Yes. Lexor Miami can size it in the showroom.

What is the warranty?

Rado provides a 5-year international warranty.

Is there a women's version?

Yes. Rado also makes The Original Automatic in a 27.3 mm women's size.

Can I return it if it doesn't suit me?

Yes. Unused items in original condition and packaging can be returned within 30 days of delivery with a prepaid label. Email info@lexormiami.com first to request a return authorization.

Can I see it in person?

Yes. Visit Lexor Miami at 2371 NW 20th St, Miami, FL 33142, Monday through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Is the Rado The Original Automatic worth it?

If you want an authentic 1960s design icon with a Swiss automatic movement, 80 hours of power, scratch-resistant materials and a 5-year warranty, The Original Automatic R12413073 offers rare character at $1,600.

Ready to Wear a Rado Legend?

The Rado The Original Automatic R12413073 is available at Lexor Miami in limited quantities. Order today for free U.S. shipping, free returns and Rado's 5-year warranty.

Buy The Original Automatic – $1,600

Free U.S. Shipping · 30-Day Free Returns · 5-Year Rado Warranty · 100% Authentic

Conclusion: The DiaStar, Mechanically Reborn

The Rado The Original Automatic R12413073 combines the 1962 DiaStar's iconic oval design with a modern Swiss automatic heart. Its CVD-coated hardmetal and gold-tone PVD case, sapphire crystal and champagne dial deliver warm, retro style, while the R764's 80-hour reserve and Nivachron hairspring provide modern performance. At 35 mm and 11.9 mm thick, it brings back the elegant proportions of classic watchmaking.

At Lexor Miami, you get it with Rado's 5-year warranty, free shipping across the contiguous states, free returns and in-store bracelet sizing.

Explore all luxury watches and the Lexor Miami blog. When you are ready, the Rado The Original Automatic R12413073 is waiting for you.

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