The Rado True Thinline x Great Gardens Of The World

Rado is renowned for its innovative use of high-tech ceramic and minimalist, contemporary design. Although we usually cover the sportier retro-inspired members of Rado’s family on MONOCHROME, such as the Captain Cook and the Diastar, the brand also offers dressier more contemporary models like the Rado True Thinline. Introduced in 2011, this watch has an injected monobloc high-tech ceramic case construction that ensures a super-slim profile. Three new automatic models, with textured dials inspired by endangered plant species in partnership with the Great Gardens o the World organisation, join the True Thinline collection.

Great Gardens of the World is a network of gardens across 20 countries. The partnership with Rado has resulted in a series of collections inspired by nature, designated with chapters and numbers. The latest trilogy marks Chapters 8 through 10, and all three watches share sleek, unisex 40mm high-tech ceramic monobloc cases with a thickness of 9mm. Ceramic is also used to craft bracelets that are fitted with a triple-folding titanium clasp.

The 30m water-resistant cases weigh 100g and are fitted with the Rado 766 automatic movement (base ETA 2892) with an extended power reserve of 64 hours and an anti-magnetic Nivachron hairspring. For increased accuracy, the movements are tested in five positions. Box-shaped sapphire crystals with anti-reflective coating on both sides protect the dial, while the sapphire crystals on the titanium caseback are digitally printed with Great Gardens of the World Chapter X.

Chapter 8 comes in an inky black polished high-tech ceramic case, and the dial recreates the pleated leaves of the Hawaiian Luolu lelo palm tree. For contrast, the hands and brand name are golden coloured.

Chapter 9 is dedicated to the Chilean Araucaria, or monkey puzzle tree, and comes in a glossy, white high-tech ceramic case. The sharp, scale-like leaves of the tree are replicated on the dial with a composition of engraved triangles in opalescent mother-of-pearl.

The third model, or Chapter 10, interprets features of the Dragon Blood Tree of Yemen. Framed by a gleaming grey high-tech ceramic plasma case, this model has an attractive two-layer dial. The top layer is a skeletonised plate cut out in organic shapes to evoke the thick, entangled branches of the Dragon Blood Tree, revealing the lower layer picked out in a pink gold colour.

Availability & Price

The trilogy – Chapters 8, 9 and 10 of the Rado True Thinline Great Gardens of the World – is available in a collector’s box, limited to 99 units. Alternatively, each model can be purchased individually for CHF 2,600 or EUR 2,900. For more information, please consult rado.com.