The Original ‘Scratchproof’ Watch From the 1960s Just Got a Very 2025 Update

Want your watch to trend this year? Make it small and colorful.

Published January 31, 2025

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Updated January 31, 2025

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Swiss watch brand Rado bills itself as the Master of Materials, and while a few higher-end brands probably have a more legitimate claim to that title — namely Hublot and Richard Mille — Rado’s history of materials innovation goes back far further than either of those brands has even existed.

The material with which Rado is most associated is ceramic. The brand’s Ceramica in 1990 was the first watch to have both a ceramic case and bracelet, its metallic-like High-Tech Ceramic debuted in 1986 and back in 1962, Rado debuted the DiaStar as the “world’s first scratchproof watch.”

We know now that there is no such thing as a scratchproof watch, but the DiaStar came pretty close. While not made of the now ubiquitous zirconium oxide ceramic found in contemporary watchmaking, the original DiaStar’s case was made of highly scratch-resistant tungsten carbide, and most sources still credit the Diastar as the world’s first ceramic watch.

Rado still makes several versions of the DiaStar today, and the brand just launched a new version that takes the 1960s watch and gives it a makeover that seems tailor-made for the watch industry in 2025.

a rado watch on a persons wrist — Is Rado kicking off 2025 with an unexpected sleeper hit?

Small and Colorful, Still Tough As Nails

Prior to this new release, Rado’s current catalog contained just three DiaStar references with cases made of Ceramos, the brand’s proprietary tungsten carbide alloy that is the closest you can get to a vintage DiaStar case today.

Those versions were all 38mm automatics and comprised a special 60th-anniversary edition with a faceted dial and mesh bracelet, a two-tone gold PVD model and just one standard version with a blue dial.

As of today, there are three more DiaStar Original Automatics with hard-wearing, highly polished Ceramos cases, and they introduce a new level of fun to the line.

This trio of DiaStar Original Automatics all have 30mm cases which, to be clear, is quite tiny. Granted, the odd shape of the DiaStar’s signature case means these watches will wear larger than other 30mm watches, but it’s still a dainty watch.

One of the new references mimics the blue patterned dial seen in the 38mm version in a slightly lighter shade, while the other two add some bright colors to the mix. One has a turquoise dial, while the other boasts a pink dial, mimicking two of the hottest colors in watchmaking right now (just ask Tudor).

The watches retain the larger version’s case construction of a massive Ceramos bezel enveloping a stainless steel mid-case, while also carrying over the 100m water resistance and H-link stainless steel bracelet.

two rado watches — 2025’s two hottest dial colors come to the DiaStar.

The movement is different than what you’ll find in the 38mm DiaStar Automatic, however. The 30mm version’s ETA-based R586 has an anti-magnetic Nivachron hairspring like you’ll find in the 38mm watch’s R764, but its power reserve is considerably less at 48 hours instead of 80 hours.

Some may view this alleged downgrade as a positive, however, as it’s a more traditional movement than the laser-regulated Powermatic 80-derived movement in the larger DiaStar and should therefore be easier to service. It also foregoes the day-date complication in favor of a less-obtrusive date.

Perfectly On-Trend

Technically, Rado is marketing these new DiaStars as women’s watches. That makes sense, as one of references literally embodies the classic “shrink it and pink it” strategy often employed by brands to create female versions of classic men’s watches.

But I think these models will gain popularity as unisex watches. Two of the hottest trends we’re seeing for men’s watches in 2025 are much smaller case sizes, which began last year with the “geezer watch” trend, and brightly colored dials, which were on full display this year at LVMH Watch Week and elsewhere.

With a price of just $1,550 and two of the hottest dial colors in the game in turquoise and pink, I wouldn’t be shocked if this “ladies watch” becomes a sleeper hit for Rado.