Discreet and elegant, the new Rado HyperChrome 1616 might not be the usual head turner of a watch people often expect to see on Luxatic, but it deserves our full and undivided attention. Inspired by the brand’s 1960s Cape Horn collection, this powerful-looking watch shows off new materials and a contemporary movement.
The HyperChrome 1616 is actually the successor of a 1971 model, and will be available in two bold versions, one of them showing off hardened titanium while the other version is a bit more high-tech. The new titanium model has a hardness of 1,000 Vickers, which is apparently five times harder than steel and close to high-tech ceramic.
Featuring a large and super lightweight case, the titanium model is immune to scratches, keeping that stylish look around for years to come.
The new Rado HyperChrome 1616 benefits from a pronounced cushion-shaped case, with crown protectors hinting towards this watch’s incredible toughness. Sapphire crystal is covering the dial, with the slightly domed shape reminding us about the vintage origins of this fashion statement.
The dial kept in line with the initial design of the 1971 watch, with Led Zeppelin fans feeling a bit nostalgic right about now. The hands and indices have been coated with white SuperLumiNova, while the movement is provided by an ETA caliber C07.621, an adaptation with day and date functions of the Powermatic 80 that Tissot introduced in 2013.
With a frequency of 3Hz and an impressive power reserve of 80 hours, the Rado HyperChrome 1616 will cost only €2,930, a bargain, if you ask us.
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