Exclusive Party Celebrating the Launch of the 2019 Watch Collection.
With a Special Model by a Local Thai Designer and the Debut of the Official Thai ‘Friend of RADO’
With a Special Model by a Local Thai Designer and the Debut of the Official Thai ‘Friend of RADO’
RADO, the Swiss watchmaker known as "The Master of Materials", famous for its innovative design and use of revolutionary materials to create some of the world’s most beautiful and durable watches, led by Mr. Hakim El Kadiri, Vice President Product Management of RADO together with Tipanat Lenbury, Country Manager of The Swatch Group Trading (Thailand) Ltd., hosted the exclusive party “RADO NOVELTIES 2019” to celebrate the launch of its new 2019 collection. This special exhibition under the concept ‘Master of Materials’ presented the genesis of the watch-making process by displaying raw materials that are then transformed by innovative processes fitting its namesake. The highlight of the collection was the limited-edition timepiece DiaMaster Prajun designed by Kwankao Svetavimala, the only Thai designer to partner with RADO. Furthermore, RADO was officially debuting Taew - Natapohn Tameeruks as the first Thai “Friend of RADO”. This event, joined by numerous celebrities, watch lovers, and leading fashionistas such as Naphaporn Bodiratanangkura, Pattree Bhakdibutr, Grace Mahadumrongkul, Jay – Jareyadee Spencer, Akarat Vanarat, Prawpreya Chumsai Na Ayuthaya, Kornkanok Yongsakul, was held on Wednesday 8th May 2019 at TCDC Main Postal Building, Function Hall, 4th floor.
The atmosphere of the event was graced in the timeless and classic black. Stepped through the main entrance and found the DNA and character of RADO gleaming in style. The theme of this exhibition focused on displaying integral parts of the watch, including the movement, the dial, or the spherical ceramic beads. These materials embraced a novel twist to attain a unique, innovative creation.
The exhibition is divided into different zones:
● The revolutionary material zone transports you back to the birth of high-tech ceramic technology. This cutting-edge material made RADO the Master of Materials until today. Also, Rado is proud to present the latest Ceramos™ technology, the new and most complex material to date. This innovation takes 10x longer to produce than the current high-tech ceramic.
● The watch showcase for the 2019 collection includes more than 40 models which are shown in Thailand for the first time, such as Captain Cook and Golden Horse in the Tradition Collection, the iconic watches featuring a new redesign to fit the 21st century. There are also limited edition timepieces in the True Thinline Collection featuring various designers, including the True Thinline My Bird from Russia, the True Thinline Studs from England, and the True Thinline Gem from Spain. Each integrates the original designs and techniques to reflect their individual style on these sleek cases from RADO.
● Another highlight that cannot be missed is the limited edition DiaMaster Prajun, which is designed by a Thai designer. Kwankao Svetavimala, the first Thai designer who has a chance to collaborate with world-renowned brand, partners with RADO again after achieving success in last year’s “RADO x Kwankao” 2018 runway. For this model, the designer selects the beautiful DiaMaster Diamonds collection and then imposes a new twist to the design and size. The dial displays the story of love inspired by consummation between the sun and the moon. This conception reflects the notion that the watch can be worn on every occasion, whether day or night. This timepiece embodies luxury and is a perfect juxtaposition between the classic and the modern.
The atmosphere of the event was graced in the timeless and classic black. Stepped through the main entrance and found the DNA and character of RADO gleaming in style. The theme of this exhibition focused on displaying integral parts of the watch, including the movement, the dial, or the spherical ceramic beads. These materials embraced a novel twist to attain a unique, innovative creation.
The exhibition is divided into different zones:
● The revolutionary material zone transports you back to the birth of high-tech ceramic technology. This cutting-edge material made RADO the Master of Materials until today. Also, Rado is proud to present the latest Ceramos™ technology, the new and most complex material to date. This innovation takes 10x longer to produce than the current high-tech ceramic.
● The watch showcase for the 2019 collection includes more than 40 models which are shown in Thailand for the first time, such as Captain Cook and Golden Horse in the Tradition Collection, the iconic watches featuring a new redesign to fit the 21st century. There are also limited edition timepieces in the True Thinline Collection featuring various designers, including the True Thinline My Bird from Russia, the True Thinline Studs from England, and the True Thinline Gem from Spain. Each integrates the original designs and techniques to reflect their individual style on these sleek cases from RADO.
● Another highlight that cannot be missed is the limited edition DiaMaster Prajun, which is designed by a Thai designer. Kwankao Svetavimala, the first Thai designer who has a chance to collaborate with world-renowned brand, partners with RADO again after achieving success in last year’s “RADO x Kwankao” 2018 runway. For this model, the designer selects the beautiful DiaMaster Diamonds collection and then imposes a new twist to the design and size. The dial displays the story of love inspired by consummation between the sun and the moon. This conception reflects the notion that the watch can be worn on every occasion, whether day or night. This timepiece embodies luxury and is a perfect juxtaposition between the classic and the modern.
After that, it was time to officially announce Taew - Natapohn Tameeruks as the first Thai “Friend of RADO”. Enjoyed the screening of special VTR filming at the birthplace of RADO in Lengnau, Switzerland, followed by a conversation with Mr. Hakim El Kadiri, Kwankao Svetavimala, and Taew - Natapohn Tameeruks about the experience of working on such an important project with a world-class brand like RADO.
Mr. Hakim El Kadiri, Vice President Product Management of RADO, said:
“Kwankao Svetavimala is a true icon for modern fashion design. She superbly personifies and follows the brand’s design philosophy, “If we can imagine it, we can make it.” Besides being meticulous and also bursting with creativity, she places great importance in all areas of the watch. Just like RADO, she examines every detail and studies every step of production. Through our collaboration, we see the effort she puts in her watches. It’s not an easy process because she needed to study and understand the inner workings of the watch, to a certain degree. But she shows great determination and attention since the prototype design and through its various reiterations. The process takes about a year to complete the perfect design.”
Kwankao Svetavimala, the owner of Kwankao brand, shared her insights for this collaboration:
“I feel honored to work with a world-class brand like RADO again. After completing the fashion show last year, RADO Switzerland invited me to be a part of their “Designer Collection” project, in which RADO partners with famous designers all over the world every year. After the full year of working together, it made me understand watches with much greater depth. Every part has its importance, spanning from the materials selected to the movement and all parts of the watch. Its entirety accounts for the value and worth of the watch. For the DiaMaster Prajun, I wanted to design a watch that can be worn both day and night and fits every occasion, and look simple yet luxurious. There are also spare straps to change to match any occasion.”
Mr. Hakim El Kadiri, Vice President Product Management of RADO, said:
“Kwankao Svetavimala is a true icon for modern fashion design. She superbly personifies and follows the brand’s design philosophy, “If we can imagine it, we can make it.” Besides being meticulous and also bursting with creativity, she places great importance in all areas of the watch. Just like RADO, she examines every detail and studies every step of production. Through our collaboration, we see the effort she puts in her watches. It’s not an easy process because she needed to study and understand the inner workings of the watch, to a certain degree. But she shows great determination and attention since the prototype design and through its various reiterations. The process takes about a year to complete the perfect design.”
Kwankao Svetavimala, the owner of Kwankao brand, shared her insights for this collaboration:
“I feel honored to work with a world-class brand like RADO again. After completing the fashion show last year, RADO Switzerland invited me to be a part of their “Designer Collection” project, in which RADO partners with famous designers all over the world every year. After the full year of working together, it made me understand watches with much greater depth. Every part has its importance, spanning from the materials selected to the movement and all parts of the watch. Its entirety accounts for the value and worth of the watch. For the DiaMaster Prajun, I wanted to design a watch that can be worn both day and night and fits every occasion, and look simple yet luxurious. There are also spare straps to change to match any occasion.”
The event ended with the announcement of the thrilling Rado Star Prize Thailand 2020 project in partnership with Creative Economy Agency (CEA) or TCDC to reaffirm the brand’s design personality. This is a first and important step for the Southeast Asia region for RADO to find and support new designers. The project will give new designers the opportunity to display their works to the public and to veteran designers. The 10 finalists will have a chance show their work at Bangkok Design Week 2020. The winner will receive the Rado Star Prize Thailand 2020 along with a cash reward and a watch from RADO.
The ‘Master of Materials’ Exhibition is now open to the public until May 27th, 2019, 10.30am - 9pm (Closed on Mondays) at Material & Design Innovation Center, 2nd floor, TCDC Bangkok
(Back Building).
The ‘Master of Materials’ Exhibition is now open to the public until May 27th, 2019, 10.30am - 9pm (Closed on Mondays) at Material & Design Innovation Center, 2nd floor, TCDC Bangkok
(Back Building).