Rado True Square X Thukral Tagra

If ever we’ve seen an International design becoming an icon; domestically (in India), it was the Diastar by Rado. We have never seen such penetration into the populous by a singular aesthetic since its launch in 1972. North or South of India, you could come across the glimmering bezel across the breath of the country. Rado has had a long-standing relationship with India. Prior to liberalization, they were one of the few brands to have their presence via their service centers. We guess that ‘design’ and innovation of materials is not the only ethos of the brand. Somewhere, the relationship is the key component.

It’s a proud-Indian moment, when an Indian actor is a global ambassador for one of the brand’s watches. And indeed, a proud moment when an Indian designer duo, are chosen for a global collaboration by Rado. In the world of horology, where most brands ignore the fact that a country like India keeps it’s time at +5.30 hrs. to Greenwich Mean Time, conveniently overlooking the half-hour in their dual or multi time-zone watches, we see this as a Rado’s commitment to strengthen its historical relationships.

Rado is once again very proud to announce its newest addition to the True Square Collection, the True Square “Over the Abyss”. A design collaboration with New Delhi artist duo Thukral and Tagra. A timepiece that presses on our temporality as individuals and highlights the importance of our connection with others.

Jiten Thukral and Sumir Tagra’s work focuses on something that is intrinsic to humans but sometimes forgotten in modern societies: the relationship of us individuals to our communities. Therefore, their work is often described as social design. The duo always tries to understand their existence and questions the status quo, thus naming their work: Over the abyss.

The Indian duo included their focus on social design to create together with the ‘Master of Materials’, a timepiece with a unique time display that superimposes the local time of the wearer to several time zones of the world. These different time zones are symbolized by 37 hands that are painted in a gradation of colours ranging from blue to pink, looking like enchanting fireworks in the middle of the dial. Two discrete but mighty SuperLuminova dots indicate the local time.

The captivating dial with colour strikes is encapsulated by a 38mm matt blue high-tech ceramic case of square shape with gently rounded corners, an homage to Rado’s iconic shape from the 70s and updated for the 21st century. The case back features a painting by the duo called Dominus Aeries that explores visions from the future with references from the past. Therefore, both front and back are beautiful art expressions of Thukral and Tagra.

With the True Square Over the Abyss, Rado and Thukral and Tagra aim to connect people through a timepiece that is universal, unique and of course smooth, comfortable and durable like is common from the Swiss watchmaker from Lengnau.

Rado’s done what Rado does best. Matt blue high-tech ceramic case, a monobloc construction (water-resistant to 5 bar), housing an automatic calibre R763, with a power reserve of 80 hours. The blue PVD coated titanium case back with digital printed drawing on sapphire crystal insert, holds a special engraving: THUKRAL AND TAGRA. Breaking the monotony of a classical round case, the 38.0 x 44.2 x 9.9 mm cushion case quite resembles an aesthetic of a smart watch. Coincidence or a bid to attract the millennials, time will tell. 

For now, we sure are intrigued by the design.