Promotion: to mark six decades since Swiss watchmaker Rado launched its hallmark DiaStar watch, designer Alfredo Häberli has updated the timepiece with a hexagonal glass front and interchangeable straps.
Originally launched by Rado in 1962, the DiaStar is known as "the world's first scratch-proof watch" made from a hard metal alloy instead of fragile gold or brass.
For its 60th birthday, Häberli has now revamped the "practically indestructible" watch for the modern day.
In the spirit of redesigning the timepiece for the future without changing its past, this involved making small geometric adaptations to the case to make it look lighter and slimmer.
The radially brushed bezel is now rendered in Ceramos, a composite material created by Rado with the properties of high-tech ceramic and the lustre and resistance of a metal alloy.
The DiaStar Original 60-Year Anniversary Edition features a watch glass made from hardwearing sapphire crystal but this was updated with hexagonal facets to mark the decades that have passed since the product's release.
"In essence, the point was to take the features of the original DiaStar and give them a contemporary form," Häberli explained. "The hands and date display were designed to look as modern and abstract as possible."
The watch is also equipped with Rado's calibre R764 automatic movement, which has 80 hours of power reserve, while an anti-magnetic hairspring ensures reliable and precise timekeeping.
An EasyClip system allows the watch's strap to be interchanged between a stainless-steel mesh bracelet and one made from a mottled grey textile.
"With every product, I try to add value, which lies in the everyday usefulness of the design," Häberli said. "For the DiaStar Original 60-Year Anniversary Edition that means you have to be able to wear it on different occasions, so it comes with two alternative straps and in a leather case that can be used as protection while travelling."
It took two weeks for Häberli to redesign "one of the most iconic timepieces in Rado's history" and just under a year for the watchmaker to produce it.
Häberli attributes this efficient development time to his longstanding fascination with watches, which was ignited when his father gifted him a timepiece for his 18th birthday.
"It took only one year to develop this watch, but I’ve been engaging with watches for the last forty years," he explained.
To find out more about the 60th-anniversary edition of the DiaStar Original visit the watchmaker's website.
This article was written by Dezeen for Rado as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.
Our most popular newsletter, formerly known as Dezeen Weekly. Sent every Thursday and featuring a selection of the best reader comments and most talked-about stories. Plus occasional updates on Dezeen’s services and breaking news.
Sent every Tuesday and containing a selection of the most important news highlights. Plus occasional updates on Dezeen’s services and breaking news.
A daily newsletter containing the latest stories from Dezeen.
Daily updates on the latest design and architecture vacancies advertised on Dezeen Jobs. Plus occasional news.
News about our Dezeen Awards programme, including entry deadlines and announcements. Plus occasional updates.
News from Dezeen Events Guide, a listings guide covering the leading design-related events taking place around the world. Plus occasional updates.
We will only use your email address to send you the newsletters you have requested. We will never give your details to anyone else without your consent. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of every email, or by emailing us at [email protected] .
For more details, please see our privacy notice.
You will shortly receive a welcome email so please check your inbox.
You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of every newsletter.
A wide variety of tiles from Marazzi feature on Dezeen Showroom
Alima trolley by Note for &Tradition
Es Devlin unveils cathedral-like sculpture to highlight ...
Solar Energy Kiosk by Cream on Chrome serves orange juice ...
Float sofa by Sarah Ellison
Jan Hendzel tracks down "super special" London timbers to ...
Mále Uribe unveils salt mural made from lithium-extraction waste
Inland sofa by Anderssen and Voll for &Tradition
Visit our comments page | Read our comments policy
Our most popular newsletter, formerly known as Dezeen Weekly. Sent every Thursday and featuring a selection of the best reader comments and most talked-about stories. Plus occasional updates on Dezeen’s services and breaking news.
Sent every Tuesday and containing a selection of the most important news highlights. Plus occasional updates on Dezeen’s services and breaking news.
A daily newsletter containing the latest stories from Dezeen.
Daily updates on the latest design and architecture vacancies advertised on Dezeen Jobs. Plus occasional news.
News about our Dezeen Awards programme, including entry deadlines and announcements. Plus occasional updates.
News from Dezeen Events Guide, a listings guide covering the leading design-related events taking place around the world. Plus occasional updates.
We will only use your email address to send you the newsletters you have requested. We will never give your details to anyone else without your consent. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of every email, or by emailing us at [email protected] .
For more details, please see our privacy notice.
You will shortly receive a welcome email so please check your inbox.
You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of every newsletter.
Please share your location to continue.
Check our help guide for more info.
Please share your location to continue.
Check our help guide for more info.
Please share your location to continue.
Check our help guide for more info.
Please share your location to continue.
Check our help guide for more info.