Brand: Rado

Model: Diastar 8/1

Ref.: 8/1

Issued 1973

Case: Tungsten-Carbide bezel, stainless steel back

Crystal: Sapphire with longitudinal facets

Bracelet: Stainless steel NSA with expandable clasp

Movement: Rado Cal. 2798 (ETA 2789) 25j, gilt

Description: This is an uncommon Diastar 8/1 model with tungsten-carbide case and a dial made of Lapis Lazuli. It is similar to most Diastars of the 1970s, with a faceted sapphire crystal, day/date display at 6:00 and an NSA bracelet, but the dial sets this model apart from most. With a printed anchor logo (as opposed to the in-set rotating anchor found on most Rado automatics) and the white printing and marker elements setting off the stone dial material, this is a very distinctive piece. Elements of blue and grey are scattered throughout the material giving the impression of clouds in the sky. Click the links for information about a Diastar 13G with Tiger-Eye dial and a Diastar 8/1 with black goldstone dial . A 1972 Abercrombie & Fitch advertisement for a stone-dial watch, with pricing information, can be viewed by clicking here.

This watch exhibits two sets of markings which are possibly explained by theories proposed on the Rado Forum at EOT. First, the model name includes the /1 which is believed to indicate it is an ETA-powered continuation of the Diastar 8, which originally was powered by a movement from A. Schild. Second, the movement is marked with the 3-digit number 311, suggesting it was built in the 11th month of 1973. Such movement markings have been seen between the years of 1969 and 1974, or thereabouts.

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This watch has been sold.

Text and images © C. Bradley Jacobs, WatchCarefully.com