Rado True Cyclo : an exclusive watch co-developed with a French designer
Rado, the Swiss watchmaker famed for its visionary approach to design and materials, presents another collaborative limited edition creation. The Rado True Cyclo, co-created with French furniture designer Philippe Nigro, seamlessly combines Nigro’s minimalist style with the beauty and high-tech construction of Rado’s classic True timepiece.
A harmonious blend of matt black and silver surfaces, the True Cyclo impresses with its smooth and understated appearance. The silver-coloured dial boasts a satin finish, concave shape and round date window at 6 o’ clock. The hands, logo, and rounded, recessed indexes all feature the same slightly contrasting grey-coloured finish – a study in simplicity that does not disregard detail. A matt black high-tech ceramic case houses the creation and fastens to the wrist thanks to ceramicized titanium end pieces attached to a sleek black leather strap. Discreet yet powerful, the True Cyclo is powered by a Swiss automatic movement.
“There’s something very reassuring about wearing an automatic wristwatch – a purely mechanical object that keeps us grounded in this hypertechnological world,” remarks Nigro on his choice of movement. “The attachment that each of us forms to such an object, for our own specific reasons, encourages a sense of intimacy and creates a strong emotional bond with the object.”
Organic elegance
The matt black case of the True Cyclo is crafted from high-tech ceramic – Rado’s signature material, and one that perfectly lends itself to high-end watchmaking thanks to its combination of beauty, lightness and scratch resistance. “Rado’s state-of-the-art technology and performance are best expressed in its high-tech ceramic material,” explains Nigro. “I wanted to use it in the simplest way to allow it to express itself, so I decided to use a ceramic with a dark, matt appearance for the case. I found that this combination expresses all the elegance, organic qualities and technology of the material.”
“I love the clean simplicity of the True Cyclo,” says Rado CEO Matthias Breschan. “This is a timepiece that radiates an air of purpose and versatility. Philippe Nigro’s vision of minimalism is a perfect addition to the Rado collection.”
The Rado True Cyclo is part of an exclusive series of limited edition timepieces launched by the brand this year, with renowned designers each applying their individual vision to the popular Rado True.
About Philippe Nigro
Born in 1975 in Nice, France, Philippe Nigro studied industrial design in Lyon and product and furniture design in Paris. Since 1999 he has worked as an independent designer, creating products, furniture, lighting, interior architecture, events and scenography for international brands. In 2014 he was named a designer of year by Maison&Object. Based in Milan, he works primarily in Italy and France.