History: Rado yesterday and today The history of Rado begins in 1917 in the small Swiss town of Lengnau,

when the three brothers Fritz, Ernst, and Werner Schlup open the Schlup & Co. clockwork factory. Exactly 40 years later, it becomes Rado Uhren AG: in 1957, the first watch collection is presented under this name the beginning of an unusual success story.

Masterful technological and aesthetic performance since 1957 Since its formation, Rado has continually fascinated watch lovers all over the world with its groundbreaking innovations. With the classic Original, Rado introduced the first scratch-proof watch to the market in 1962. Many more high-tech developments have followed. Since the 1980s, the use of special high-tech ceramics has become a well-known brand identifier of Rado watches. The greatest sensation to date, however, has been the invention of the Rado high-tech diamond. With a hardness of 10,000 Vickers, the V10K is the hardest watch in the world. Rado watches, however, are not just famous for their premium materials, but also for their special esthetic qualities. Since 1990 alone, Rado has been the proud recipient of more than 30 international design awards. In 1983 Rado became part of the SMH group which was renamed in 1998 as the Swatch Group. Rado's sister brands within the Group include Breguet, Blancpain, Glashtte Original, Omega, Longines and Tiffany & Co., among others.

Rado today: treasured all over the world Today, Rado is among the most treasured watch brands in the world. The company employs 470 staff in a total of 31 countries. On top of that, there are around 5900 retailers and 400 Service Centers.

RADO - MILESTONES IN HISTORY 1917 Schlup & Co. clockwork factory is founded in Lengnau. 1957 Presentation of the first watch collection under the brand name Rado. 1962 Rado wows the world with DiaStar, the first scratch-proof watch. 1975 New HQ opens in Lengnau. 1983 Rado becomes a member of the newly founded SMH Group in Biel. 1986 The Rado Integral revolutionizes watch manufacturing with its scratch-proof sapphire crystal surface and a bracelet made of unusually hard high-tech ceramics. 1987 The Coupole is launched on the market. Its trademark: the domeshaped sapphire crystal. 1990 Premier of the Ceramica, a completely scratch-proof watch made of high-tech ceramics and sapphire crystal. 1992 Rado celebrates its 75th birthday.

1993 The Sintra is the first ceramic watch with a platinum-like shimmering surface. 1995 Rado wins the innovation prize of the Technology Center Switzerland for the hardest watch in the world.

1996 The exquisite DiaQueen fascinates the female world with a unique combination of high-tech ceramics, gold, and real diamonds. 1997 The revolutionary Vision 1 takes its place in the Guinness Book of Records as the hardest watch in the world. Its surface is as hard as a real diamond. 1999 The Rado Cerix sets a new standard with its sleek, pure design.Its most notable feature: the spiral-shaped bracelet. 2001 The eSenza is the first crownless Rado watch. 2004 Rado produces the first series of the V10K. The V10K is made of high-tech diamond, and is as hard and resilient as a real diamond. 2005 The new collection of the classic Rado Original watch combines timeless design with advanced technologies. 2006 The Rado True combines two completely new technologies: satinbrushed high-tech ceramics and decorated high-tech ceramics. 2007 The iconic Ceramica watch is offered in XL-size and with Chronograph.

2008 The innovative Sintra Gold Jubil fascinates with its new surface made of golden ceramics.

Design Rado differs from some of the more traditional Swiss watchmakers in that it often uses unconventional high tech materials and designs. Rado has pioneered the use of a number materials unique to watchmaking, e.g. hardmetal(tungsten- and titaniumcarbide),ceramics, lanthanum and sapphire crystal. In 2004 the V10K was introduced; a watch with a coating of high tech diamond. The V10K is the hardest watch on earth. Other than the material, newer Rado watches also look very different from those from most other makers. Market reaction to this is generally mixed, with some preferring the look of the more traditional makers, and others appreciating the more distinct Rado look. During the years, the different models of Rado have received more than 20 international design awards, varying from the Red Dot Award to the If design Award.

Watches Features People have very different tastes, especially when it comes to their fashions. It would make perfect sense that they would each prefer a very different type of wrist watch. However, there are certain features that just about everyone loves to have on their wrist watch.

The following are some features Specially offered by RADO in its every watch

Water resistant. This is most likely one of the top features that most prefer for their watch. It makes perfect sense that you would want a watch that has the ability to be water resistant. Our watches are on our wrists and often we wash our hands or handle things with our hands. A water resistant watch is an excellent quality for a dress or casual use watch. Ability to change wristbands. There are many that love their watch; they simply want the ability to change the wristband at will. Sometimes they d like to match the wristband to their outfit. Alternatively, they may prefer to change the wristband to compliment the season. They may

even want to change the wristband for a fun reason like to use a holiday motif. Watches that offer switchable wristbands become more and more popular as the years go on. They are easy and convenient for you to use. This is the type of watch that can work with your wardrobe so well, as you can dress it up or down, as the occasion requires. Light up dial feature. This is a favorite feature, men especially enjoy this feature. However women also like to use this feature. The light up dial feature is very popular with anyone who socializes and goes out on the town, but must need to know what time it is. The perfect example of this is the couple who is having a wonderful evening out and realizes it is getting late, and the husband checks his watch in a dimly lit restaurant or movie theatre. Being able to check one s watch in a convenient way makes you aware of the time at any time and in any place. With the busy lives we are all leading; it is easy to see just how popular this feature can be. Today s date. There are many watches that attractively display today s date along with thetime. You ll know that it is Monday, July 1st and the exact year. This type of information isvery useful to have handy, in case you are writing a check or need to input informationinto your personal calendar or PDA system. This feature allows us to keep track of time inthe larger sense, as the days go by. Comfortable wristbands. This is the type of feature that you simply do not think about, unless your watch wristband is uncomfortable. Then it is all you can think about! An uncomfortable wrist watchband can be too tight, too

loose, itchy or somehow bothersome to you. When your watch wristband bothers you, this can distract you as you are trying to do daily business and tend to your family. We need dependable watches that are comfortable. When your watch is uncomfortable in some way, your first thought is to take it off. This is a big mistake for any one that has a watch, as this is the easiest way to lose your watch! Watch wristbands need to be comfortable and ideally the extendable type suited for any size wrist.