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Me and My Rado

My skin has an allergic reaction to certain metals. Can I still wear a Rado watch?

Yes! Our high-tech ceramic, for example, is very skin-friendly and much appreciated by people who may experience an allergic reaction to nickel, for instance. For people with allergies to metal we recommend our watches made entirely of high-tech ceramic. In general the skin-friendliness of our products is important, which is why we conform strictly to the EU's REACH regulation and do everything we can to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction to any of our products to a minimum.

Can I get spare parts for my watch?

We sell our spare parts exclusively to authorised service partners, never to individual customers. This ensures that those using Rado spare parts meet our strictly defined criteria in terms of machine and tool quality and infrastructure and that their staff has the appropriate training to replace parts. You can find a list of authorised Rado Service Centres Here.

The battery in my watch needs replacing. What should I do?

We strongly recommend that you take your watch to an authorised Rado Service Centre. This ensures that the battery is replaced correctly and that the watch can be checked to make sure everything else is in working order. During a battery replacement, the water resistance is also tested to ensure that your watch is properly sealed. You can contact your nearest Rado Service Centre using the Service Center Locator for information on where to replace the battery in your watch.

How often does my watch need servicing?

Like any high-precision instrument, watch movements must be maintained regularly to ensure that they work perfectly. We are not able to specify exact maintenance intervals, as this depends entirely on the watch model, climate, level of care exercised by the watch owner and your wearing habits. An approximate guide for servicing a watch movement is around five to seven years. If you have questions or concerns, we recommend you contact your nearest authorizer Rado retailer for more information or your nearest Rado Service Centre for an assessment.

How long does a watch battery last?

A battery should last at least 24 months, depending on the type of watch movement and the energy required to power its various functions. A chronograph, for example, requires more energy than a watch that only displays hours and minutes. When the battery no longer works, it should be exchanged at an authorised Rado Service Centre.

Are Rado watches water-resistant?

Rado watches are water-resistant to a minimum of 3 bar (30 meters). At Rado, we measure water resistance in pressure (bar) first as this is a more accurate reflection of a watch’s ability to resist water. We advise you to be careful with your Rado when in and around water, unless it is water-resistant to a pressure of at least 10 bar (100 metres) or is certified as a diver’s watch. If the crown is open, if a pusher is used, or if you exceed the amount of recommended pressure by jumping or diving into the water, your watch can be damaged. It is also important to know that water resistance is not a permanent state. Your watch should be checked at least every 12 months at an authorised Rado Service Centre...

How should I clean my watch?

Clean your watch regularly with soap water or a microfiber cloth.

Does Rado perform valuations?

Rado has a large international network of authorised retailers, as well as many authorised Rado Service Centres, which provide reliable services worldwide. Click here to find the Rado Service Centre closest to you.

My watch is losing or gaining time. What should I do?

One possible reason for this is that your watch has been affected by magnetism. Magnetic fields are all around us in everyday objects including computers, televisions, fridges, magnetic fasteners on handbags, jewellery to name only a few. When a quartz watch comes in contact with a magnetic field, it stops. As soon as the magnetic source is removed, the watch starts running again. This may be perceived later as the watch running slow. In this case one need only reset the time. With a mechanical watch the steel components in the movement can become magnetised, which can result in the watch running generally much faster. The good news is, this is not a permanent state. If you feel your mechanical watch may have been affected by magnetism, your Rado Service Centre can use a special device to demagnetise your watch. This takes only a few seconds and, afterwards, your watch will work perfectly again.

How should I treat my Rado?

As a luxury product, your Rado should be treated with care and attention. Avoid knocks, shocks and drops that may damage the watch inside or out. Avoid contact with objects or materials such as nail files, granite or sand. These contain particles that can scratch stainless steel and even some of the hardest Rado materials.

How long should my leather strap last?

Quality leather wrist straps last between 6 and 12 months, depending on your wearing habits. Leather ages naturally over time and is affected by normal wear and tear. When your leather strap is worn out, you should replace it immediately in order to avoid any damage to the watch head. While we use quality leather for our straps, you can help to preserve your leather strap by avoiding contact with water, cosmetic products, perfume and extreme cold or strong sunlight.

How much does a Rado watch service cost?

This depends on the individual condition of each watch. To find out the service costs for your Rado, please contact the authorised Rado Service Centre in your area.

How can I make sure my Rado is water-resistant?

Send your watch for an annual water resistance test. You can find your nearest Rado Service Centre using the Service Center Locator.

How do I know if a Rado watch is real?

The only way to be 100% sure that a Rado watch is real, is to buy it from an authorised Rado retailer, directly from one of our Rado online stores, or through one of our trusted online retail partners. Every new Rado watch comes with a warranty card issued by Rado, which must be stamped and signed on the date of purchase. If you already own a Rado watch an authorised Rado retailer or Rado Service Centre will be able to help you determine if the watch is a genuine Rado.

My watch has stopped, what should I do?

This depends on whether your watch has a quartz or automatic movement. You can find this out quickly and easily. Most Rado automatic watches have the word 'automatic' printed on the dial. If your watch has a transparent case back which allows you to see the movement, this is an automatic watch. If an automatic watch stops, you can start it again by using the crown to wind the movement and by wearing it. A quartz watch is powered by a battery. When a quartz watch stops running, the battery should be replaced immediately by an authorized Rado Service Centre . By the way, quartz watches with an EOL (End of life) function use the second hand to indicate when the battery is running down: it jumps ahead at 4-second intervals, reminding you that the battery should be changed.

How can I make sure my Rado is always accurate?

Make sure your watch receives a full service every five to seven years and avoid contact with magnetic fields. If the movement in your Rado is fitted with a NivachronTM hairspring, your watch is well protected against magnetic fields.

What are the most important documents relating to my Rado?

Keep the sales warranty or service warranty. You should also keep a copy of your instruction manual in case you need it.

Where can my watch be serviced?

Rado has a large international network of authorised retailers, as well as many authorised Rado Service Centres, which provide reliable services worldwide. Click here to find the Rado Service Centre closest to you.

How much do spare parts cost?

Original Rado spare part replacement is subject to the individual condition of each watch. To find out the original Rado spare part costs for your Rado watch, please contact the authorised Rado Service Centre in your area. Rado sells spare parts only to certified clients and Service Centres who meet our strict requirements in terms of quality and technical training.

Master of Material

How hard are Rado watches?

It depends on the material the watch is made from. At Rado, we measure hardness using the Vickers scale. The higher the number, the harder the materials. Natural diamond is the hardest substance with a value of 10,000 Vickers. High-tech ceramic has a rating of approximately 1,250 Vickers, Ceramos is around 1,750 Vickers and ultra-light high-tech ceramic is about the same. Our watches are hard but not indestructible. As a precision instrument, we suggest that you take the same care of your Rado watch as you would with any other high value item. If you drop your Rado watch, it may break.

Does Rado use scratch-resistant glass?

At Rado, we use sapphire crystal as standard on all our watches. It has a hardness rating of 2,500 Vickers and is considerably more scratch-resistant than mineral or acrylic glass. While it is very hard, it is not indestructible. Like high-tech ceramic, it can be scratched by materials that are as hard as or harder than sapphire. For this reason you should avoid contact with objects or materials such as nail files, granite or sand - all of which contain particles of these extremely hard materials.

Is high-tech ceramic scratch resistant?

First, let’s clarify what we mean when we say scratch-resistant. At Rado, scratch-resistant means “capable of withstanding scratching that occurs with normal everyday use”. In this context, Rado high-tech ceramic has a very high level of scratch-resistance. However, there is a risk of scratching if it comes into contact with materials that are as hard as or harder than high-tech ceramic. Such particles are found in objects or materials such as nail files, granite or sand. We recommend that you take care of your watch and try to avoid wearing it in situations where it may come into contact with other extremely hard materials.

Brand Facts

What does Rado mean?

There are many theories and no definitive evidence, but the most likely reason goes all the way back to 1928 when the Rado name was first registered. The gear wheel was one of the essential elements produced at the Schlup & Co. factory in Lengnau. Rado means ‚"wheel" in Esperanto - an international language whose foundations were laid in 1887 to unite speakers of different European languages.

The anchor on my watch has stopped turning. Do I need to send my watch for repair?

No. The anchor decoration is a feature of most Rado automatic watches. It is an independent decorative element and is not linked to the movement or any other part of the watch.

Haven't found the answer to your question?

Get in touch with our service team any time using our contact form.