This is not your typical dive watch.
Not a field watch.
Not even a dress watch.
This is the Rado DiaStar Original X Tej Chauhan Special Edition—a bold, unapologetic timepiece that doesn’t just tell time; it tells a story.
Let’s dive into a watch that challenges conventions—and redefines what a collaboration in watchmaking can look like.
Who is Tej Chauhan?
Before we get into dial, case details and movement, let’s talk about the creative mind behind this special edition.
Tej Chauhan is an award-winning industrial designer known for his distinctive, emotive design language. His work spans futuristic consumer technology, furniture, and homeware—all infused with retro-futurism, playfulness, and bold colour choices that channel the spirit of the ‘60s and ‘70s.
Tej doesn’t just design for function—he designs for feeling. And this watch? It’s dripping with his signature style.
Dial & Case: A Canvas of Creativity
At first glance, the watch is a visual statement.
It sports a 38mm case with a 45mm lug-to-lug and a thickness of 11.7mm, making it compact but impactful on the wrist. The two-piece case construction features:
• Polished yellow gold-colored PVD-coated Ceramos on the top half
• Gold PVD-coated stainless steel on the lower half
Rado—rightfully dubbed the Master of Materials—has long been at the forefront of material innovation. Ceramos is a proprietary composite that combines the hardness of ceramic with the resilience of metal alloy. It’s scratch-resistant, lightweight, and feels unlike anything else.
On the front, a faceted sapphire crystal reveals a matte black concave dial, staying true to the original DiaStar design. But it’s anything but traditional.
The hands are stark white, punctuated by a neon yellow seconds hand. Bold hour markers contrast with lighter grey minute indices—designed for visual clarity and character.
Between 9 and 12 o'clock? A striking splash of vivid cyan. According to Tej, "Things happen to me between 9 and 12.” That’s the kind of personality baked into this design.
Each day of the week is displayed in a different colour and Tej’s custom font, progressing to warmer tones as the weekend nears. The attention to emotional storytelling is remarkable.
Turn the watch over and you’ll find a polished dark grey PVD-coated caseback with a sapphire crystal window, engraved with “SPECIAL EDITION TEJ CHAUHAN.”
Movement: Modern Mechanics with Heritage Soul
Beating inside is the automatic Rado caliber R764, featuring:
• An 80-hour power reserve
• A Nivachron™ balance spring for improved anti-magnetic performance
• And of course, the iconic anchor on the crown—a signature detail of Rado’s automatic watches since the 1950s.
Subtle Lumination & Unique Strap Design
The hour and minute hands offer subtle luminescence, maintaining the minimalist aesthetic without compromising nighttime legibility.
Then there’s the strap—a grey pillow-shaped rubber strap, secured by a grey stainless steel extendable folding clasp. The clasp itself is topped with a gold-colored cover and engraved pushers reading Rado x TC.
On the reverse, you’ll find two etched messages:
“The time is now” and “TC Souvenirs of The Near Future.”
Despite its expressive design, the watch wears incredibly comfortably at just 101.1 grams.
Final Thoughts
The Rado DiaStar Original X Tej Chauhan Special Edition is more than a watch. It’s a conversation starter, a head-turner, and a design object that celebrates individuality.This is for the collectors who see watches not just as tools—but as art. And what better way to embody that idea than through a timepiece that reimagines the iconic DiaStar from 1962 with a futuristic twist?
If you’re into bold design, deep storytelling, and watches that push the boundaries—this one’s for you.
Read more articles by Cagdas Onen
