Rado True Round Inspired by Le Corbusier
The new Rado True Round models draw their inspiration from the works of renowned architect Le Corbusier.
Drawing from the radical architectural vocabulary of one of the 20th century’s most influential visionaries, Rado unveils three new True Round models inspired by the Brutalist works of Le Corbusier. The collection pays tribute not only to the architect’s sculptural approach to concrete and color, but also to a more personal connection: Le Corbusier’s father was a dial maker, an artisanal link that lends added resonance to this horological homage.
The series comprises three references, La Cité Radieuse, Carpenter Center, and Chandigarh, each named after an iconic project by the architect.
The first model takes its cue from the 1952 housing project in Marseille that redefined modern urban living. The laser-engraved ceramic dial subtly echoes the raw concrete texture of the monumental structure. Rendered in an ivory-white ceramic case and bracelet, the watch embodies a refined minimalism. Notably, this particular shade marks the first time Rado has introduced this bespoke tone in ceramic. Blue hour and minute hands provide a crisp chromatic accent against the restrained backdrop.
Inspired by the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts at Harvard University, the second model channels the building’s striking béton brut façade. Its abstracted concrete geometry is transferred onto the dial through precise laser engraving. The iron-grey dial reflects the sculptural force of Brutalist architecture, while orange and green hands introduce a bold, graphic contrast—an interplay of color and form that mirrors Le Corbusier’s architectural language.
The third and final model draws from the master plan devised for the city of Chandigarh in northern India. Here, a dark-toned dial sets the stage for a dramatic composition. The combination of an ivory-black ceramic case and bracelet with green and orange hands once again underscores the dynamic contrasts central to the architect’s aesthetic philosophy.
Across all three references, the case backs reveal digital-printed stripes representing the 63 hues of Le Corbusier’s “Polychromie Architecturale” color system. At the center of this vibrant palette sits the self-winding Calibre R763, visible through the sapphire case back. The automatic movement delivers an impressive 80-hour power reserve, ensuring that architectural inspiration is matched by contemporary mechanical performance.
