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Introducing The Rado True Thinline Leaf (Exclusive Live Pics & Pricing)

A high-tech expression of a back-to-nature aesthetic.

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Quick Take

Rado's just announced a pre-Baselworld launch that incorporates its use of "high-tech" ceramics with a surprisingly delicate, nature inspired decorative motif. The True Thinline Leaf is also a very flat watch, with an integrated ceramic bracelet; the material offers all the usual advantages of ceramics (resistance to scratching, lightness, and great wearing comfort) combined with a very interesting play of colors and textures.

Why This Watch Matters

Rado is arguably the leading innovator in ceramic watch case materials in the entire industry. In general, its designs are a straight shot of celebration of high tech materials, but in this instance, the use of a contrasting motif taken from nature provides an interesting and unexpected counterpoint to the case and bracelet. It's also very flat, light, and elegant, and the ceramic case and mother-of-pearl dial are quite mesmerizing to watch change in color and appearance as the light changes.

Rado True Tinline Leaf

The Rado True Thinline Leaf is all about the play of light on its various surfaces.

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Initial Thoughts

Rado made a big splash with high tech case materials long before just about any other brand – in 1962, the company produced the exceedingly space-age Rado DiaStar for the first time, with a "hardmetal" case made of tungsten carbide. It was the first time anyone had ever used the material for a watch case and to this day you can find original DiaStar watches from the 1960s which look essentially brand new, thanks to the extremely scratch-resistant case material. Its first In recent years Rado has incorporated a range of high-tech ceramics into its materials repertoire and has moreover been using it to achieve quite interesting aesthetic effects. One recent example, which has been launched as part of Rado's pre-Baselworld releases, is the True Thinline Leaf.

Rado True Thinline Leaf dial color

The True Thinline Leaf's main talking point (aside from the ceramic case itself) is the dial, which is green mother of pearl. A leaf pattern has been printed on the underside of the dial, and thanks to the translucency of mother-of-pearl, you get a very interesting effect; as the light plays on the dial, the leaf pattern becomes visible, and against the cool gleam of the case and bracelet, the organic pattern's  appearances seem especially dramatic.

True Thinline Leaf crown and dial

Like the dial, the case takes on a very different appearance depending on how the light hits it; under some lighting conditions it looks a deep, pearlescent grey but under warmer light it becomes a deep, very vivid green. The shifting colors, combined with the touch of gold on the hands and markers (which are vapor deposited on the underside of the dial) give the watch a surprising depth, without causing it to lose its character as a very thin watch. 

Rado True Thinline Leaf wrist shot

Despite its slim profile and general air of refinement it feels quite solid, and the interplay of colors and textures makes it quite a conversation piece. It's a much more attractive watch and much more interesting to look at and wear than I'd have thought just from press kit images – one of those watches that really comes alive when you wear it, and just from a design standpoint, it's a watch worth looking out for.

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The Basics

Brand: Rado
Model: True Thinline Leaf
Reference Number: 420.006.3.091

Diameter: 39.0mm
Thickness: 5.0mm
Case Material: Polished green high-tech ceramic, sandblasted titanium caseback, gold colored PVD stainless steel crown
Dial Color: Green mother of pearl, leaf motif
Indexes: Gold-colored metalized indexes on underside of crystal
Water Resistance: 30 meters
Strap/Bracelet: Three-row polished green ceramic with titanium folding clasp


The Movement

Caliber: ETA 282.002, quartz
Functions: Hours, minutes
Jewels: 13


Pricing & Availability

Price: CHF 2,000 (USD pricing pending)
Availability: March 2018

For more on Rado's high tech ceramics, visit Rado.com.