FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Revolutions on the wrist

Revolutions on the wrist

Rado shows off its high-tech creations and a new watch by Thai designer Kwankao Svetavimala

A SPECIALIST in high-tech ceramic watches, Swiss watchmaker Rado is known as the “Master of Materials” and recently showed why it has earned this moniker with a small exhibition at the Thailand Creative and Design Centre that showcased the integral parts of the watch, including the movement, the dial and the spherical ceramic beads. 

Revolutions on the wrist
The “Rado Novelties 2019” party, which also celebrated the launch of its new 2019 collection, was hosted by Hakim El Kadiri, vice president for product management and Tipanat Lenbury, country manager of The Swatch Group Trading (Thailand), which distributes the brand. The exhibition, meanwhile, presented the genesis of the watch-making process by displaying raw materials that are then transformed using innovative processes and shone the spotlight on the limited-edition timepiece DiaMaster Prajun designed by Kwankao Svetavimala, the only Thai designer to partner with the brand. Rado also took the opportunity to formally introduce actress, Natapohn “Taew” Tameeruks as the first Thai “Friend of Rado.”

Revolutions on the wrist
The exhibition showcased revolutionary material that goes back to the birth of high-tech ceramic technology as well as the latest Ceramos technology, the new and most complex material to date. Alongside was the 2019 collection that includes more than 40 models being shown in Thailand for the first time. These included the Captain Cook and Golden Horse timepieces from the Tradition Collection, as well as limited-edition pieces from the True Thinline Collection, among them the True Thinline My Bird from Russia, the True Thinline Studs from England, and the True Thinline Gem from Spain. 

Revolutions on the wrist
In pride of place was Thai designer Kwankao’s limited-edition DiaMaster Prajun. For this model, the 35 mm case is made from plasma high-tech ceramic and houses the high-quality Swiss automatic ETA C07 movement with extended 80-hour power reserve – making it the first DiaMaster of this size with an automatic movement. The sapphire crystal case back offers a detailed view of the specially decorated movement. In another first for the DiaMaster, the bezel has 60 Top-Wesselton diamonds – a spectacular complement to the minimalist, scratch-resistant plasma case. Sapphire crystal also protects the dial, which is an Open Heart design covered with a very thin layer of white mother-of-pearl to give the impression of the waxing and waning moon. Five diamonds on the dial add an extra celestial twist.

Revolutions on the wrist
The mother-of-pearl effect continues on the grey python-effect calf leather strap. The DiaMaster Prajun Limited Edition comes with an additional black python effect leather strap.
“I feel honoured to work with a world-class brand like Rado for the second time,” said Kwankao, who took part in the brand’s 2018 fashion show. 
“Rado Switzerland invited me to be a part of its ‘Designer Collection’ project, in which the famous watch brand partners with designers from all over the world. After a full year of working together, I know understand watches in much greater depth. Every part has its importance, spanning from the materials selected to the movement and all parts of the watch. Its entirety accounts for the value and worth of the watch. For the DiaMaster Prajun, I wanted to design a watch that can be worn both day and night and fits every occasion, and look simple yet luxurious.” 

Revolutions on the wrist
The event ended with the announcement of the Rado Star Prize Thailand 2020 project in partnership with Creative Economy Agency (CEA), which aims to find new designers who will then receive support from Rado. The 10 finalists will have a chance show their work at Bangkok Design Week 2020 with the winner receiving the Rado Star Prize Thailand 2020 along with a cash reward and a watch from Rado. 
 

nationthailand