A GRACEFUL RETURN

After the success of its Anatom 40th anniversary editions in 2023, Rado reveals five new models.

- ALISON LOH

IN 1983, Rado introduced the Anatom watch to the world for the first time. Its shape and design were unlike most watches found in the market at the time. While most watches in the 80s flaunted bold designs and bright colours, the Anatom offered a simplistic, modern, and sleek alternative.

Reminiscent of Rado's earlier creation—the Diastar Executive—the first Anatom boasted trendy elements that belied its unique design. First, the watch was crafted entirely with steel. Its bracelets formed narrow and wide horizontal stripes while the links had a combination of smooth and rough textures, giving it a bi-colour effect. The Anatom's rectangular dial also flaunted these horizontal stripes, making it appear as a continuous unit. But what made the Anatom such a fascinating piece beyond its aesthetics? The answer was in its case.

Unlike most watches, the Anatom featured a domed sapphire crystal case. As the master of materials, this was a revolutionary feat for Rado, as this case design was almost unheard of back then. Using the Verneuil method—a process of growing or shaping crystals by combining oxygen and hydrogen in a small furnace roughly 60 steps were taken to achieve the signature curve. This domed sapphire crystal gave the Anatom's case its pristine gloss and convex shape.

Thanks to its ergonomic design, the Anatom also became the epitome of comfort, fitting the wrist of its wearer. It was this innovative craft, together with its modern appeal, that established the Anatom as an important part of Rado's DNA.