Born From the Fire: Rado Marks 40 Years of High-Tech Ceramic with Integral Anniversary Edition

Rado's work with high-tech ceramic began in the mid-1980s, when the material, based on purified zirconium oxide, was introduced into watchmaking. Produced under high pressure and sintered at temperatures of around 1,450°C, the resulting material is exceptionally dense and hard, reaching approximately 1,250 Vickers. Its properties include strong resistance to scratches, low weight, and a surface that remains stable in appearance over time. Since then, the brand has continued to expand its expertise in ceramic technologies. Developments include colored ceramics, plasma high-tech ceramic with a metallic sheen achieved without metal content, and Ceramos, a composite material combining ceramic with metal alloys. These innovations have allowed Rado to explore a wider range of finishes and structural possibilities, positioning ceramic as both a technical and aesthetic cornerstone of its collections. 

With the Integral 40-Years Anniversary Edition, Rado revisits one of its defining designs while highlighting four decades of material development. First introduced in 1986, the Integral marked the Swiss brand’s early use of high-tech ceramic in serial production, combining a distinctive rectangular form with an integrated bracelet design. The anniversary model retains these core features while updating details and expanding the collection.

The new edition stays close to the original concept. Its rectangular case measures 28.0 × 39.8mm with a height of 7.3mm and is crafted from yellow-gold PVD-coated stainless steel. A beveled sapphire crystal sits flush within the case, reinforcing the seamless transition into the bracelet. The vertically brushed black dial follows a restrained layout, with gold-colored applied markers and two central hands treated with Superluminova. A date display at 6 o’clock integrates into the overall color scheme.

Inside, the quartz caliber R279 with PreciDrive technology is housed beneath a closed, engraved case back. The bracelet remains a defining element: polished, gold-toned steel outer links are paired with black high-tech ceramic center links. This combination contributes to both the visual identity and the wearing comfort, offering a lightweight and smooth feel on the wrist. The anniversary edition is priced at $2,700.

Alongside the anniversary edition, Rado introduces additional Integral models that reinterpret the original design in different sizes and configurations. Options range from smaller formats (23mm) with diamond-set indices and mother-of-pearl dials to larger versions (31.5mm) featuring seconds and date displays. At the top of the range is a Jubilé model with 56 Top Wesselton diamonds set into the bezel. Prices for the expanded collection range from $2,700 to $4,900.

To learn more, visit Rado, here.