Launch of the new Rado Ceramica at Vienna Design Week

GRCIC X RADO

Dubai, UAE, October 12, 2016:  Swiss watch brand Rado is celebrating another milestone during this year’s edition of Vienna Design Week: the Austrian launch of the new Rado Ceramica by internationally renowned industrial designer Konstantin Grcic. To mark the 10th anniversary of the Viennese design festival, which takes place from 30 September to 9 October, Grcic will also design the window display at the Rado boutique in central Vienna. The brand will also be showcasing the design process behind the Ceramica as well as other works by Grcic in an exhibition at the festival centre in Vienna.

Ceramica – rebirth of an icon
The Rado Ceramica combines innovative high-tech ceramic with a one-of-a-kind design. Now this celebrated timepiece has been given a new look by German industrial designer Konstantin Grcic: his design gives the watch a contemporary twist while retaining the striking geometric shape that makes the Ceramica such a classic. Vienna Design Week will see Rado launch the Ceramica in Austria as well as host the new design collection by Konstantin Grcic at the festival's central office. This year the festival centre is located in the Margareten neighbourhood in the former Bothe & Ehrmann exhibition halls. Rado will use the exhibition to showcase the design process for the Ceramica in addition to further iconic product designs by Grcic.

Installation by Konstantin Grcic
For the duration of the design festival, Konstantin Grcic’s installations will be on display in the three showcases in Rado's boutique window in downtown Vienna. The installation features three versions of the new Ceramica watch held in place by futuristic objects. Specially programmed LED graphics in black and white will be shown on the rear walls of the showcases. These highly geometric animations symbolise the elegance of time and timing, which in turn refers to the precision mechanics used in modern watch production. 

 “Materials are definitely key,” says Grcic. “Everything we design has a physical dimension. What is something made of, and how? The right choice of a material determines a product´s performance and longevity. And even before that, it determines how something is produced. The intelligent and economical use of material forms an important part of my understanding of good design. Ceramic is one of the most high-tech materials I know. The material is lighter than stainless steel, it has a much more pleasant temperature when you wear it, and it is scratch resistant.”

Rado and design
Rado has been a partner of Vienna Design Week since the beginning. Design, innovation and technology always go hand in hand during the creation of the iconic products for which Rado is known worldwide. To date, the company has been honoured for its unique approach to industrial design with more than 30 international design awards. This dedication to design is also reflected in the brand’s international Rado Star Prize competitions, which Rado uses to help promote emerging talent. 

"Rado stands for innovative materials and distinctive watch designs. We relish new challenges and enjoy taking an unconventional approach to our work, so we feel proud that we were able to develop the Rado Ceramica together with the internationally renowned designer Konstantin Grcic,” said Matthias Breschan, CEO of Rado. “His new design introduces a contemporary twist while retaining the distinctive geometrical shape that makes the Ceramica a classic. As part of the 10th anniversary of Vienna Design Week, we are delighted to be able to show the visionary work of Konstantin Grcic in the shop window of the Rado boutique and in our exhibition at the festival's headquarters."