Introducing Rado Celebrates Le Corbusier’s Legacy with the True Round Collection

Rado continues its long-standing collaboration with Les Couleurs Suisse, a partnership that has already produced 12 editions inspired by Le Corbusier’s 63-shade palette introduced in Polychromie Architecturale. With this latest release, the brand moves beyond simply applying the celebrated color system. Each model incorporates four hues from the palette while paying tribute to some of the architect’s most significant works. The result is a trio of Rado True Round × Les Couleurs Le Corbusier Special Editions that celebrates the legacy of a figure widely regarded as a master of modern architecture.

For this trio of True Round models, Rado drew inspiration from three landmark projects, combining shades from Le Corbusier’s palette with textures that echo the materials used in the original buildings.

All three watches are crafted from high-tech ceramic and share identical specifications: a 40 mm case, 10.4 mm thickness, 47.3 mm lug-to-lug span, and 50 m water resistance. The case, bracelet, and crown are executed in ceramic.

The titanium caseback features a sapphire display printed with the full spectrum of Le Corbusier’s 63 colors. A vibrant ring encircles the automatic movement, while the architect’s logo and a reference to Polychromie Architecturale appear at the center of the crystal.

The first model pays tribute to Cité Radieuse, the monumental concrete housing block completed in 1952 that redefined urban living. Its dial draws inspiration from the building’s rough, board-formed concrete — béton brut — marking the first time Rado has used this tone. The ceramic case is matched with a dial in the same shade, enhanced by a laser-engraved béton brut texture that evokes the original material. Three hands appear in distinct blue tones from Le Corbusier’s palette, providing contrast and clear legibility.

The second model references the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts at Harvard University, completed in 1963. Its raw concrete geometry contrasts sharply with Harvard’s traditional Georgian architecture and remains Le Corbusier’s only building in North America. Executed in Iron Grey (reference 32010), the ceramic dial features a laser-engraved molded-concrete texture inspired by the facade. Contrasting lacquered hands include a Cream White hour hand, Orange minute hand, and Slightly Greyed English Green seconds hand.

The third model draws inspiration from Palace of Assembly, part of the Capitol Complex completed in 1962. The building reflects Le Corbusier’s broader urban vision for Chandigarh — a rational, efficient city organized on a geometric grid. Rendered in Ivory Black (reference 4320E), the dial features a laser-engraved motif depicting the facade. Contrasting lacquered hands include an Orange hour hand, Emerald Green minute hand, and Olive Green seconds hand.

Powering the trio is Rado’s caliber R763, an automatic movement derived from the Swatch Group’s Powermatic 80 architecture. It operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour and delivers an 80-hour power reserve.

Each watch is paired with a matching three-row high-tech ceramic bracelet and titanium folding clasp. The color themes extend to the commemorative presentation boxes. All three editions are available now, priced at €2,750 (approximately AED 12,000).

For more information, visit Rado official website.