The Rado Anatom Automatic Skeleton

It’s time for a short confession: generally, I am not the biggest fan of skeletonized watches. While I greatly appreciate the possibility of witnessing a caliber in action, I much prefer to see it in action through a sapphire display in the case back. It’s purely an aesthetic thing because, as a design fanatic, I adore a well-designed and brilliantly executed dial. Of course, there are exceptions. Some brands do openworked watches brilliantly, like Audemars Piguet, Hublot, and Richard Mille. A brand that also does it well is Rado. We have seen quite a few openworked versions of the True Square and the Captain Cook over time. That’s why it makes sense that the brand now introduces the Rado Anatom Automatic Skeleton. Not surprisingly, it’s an aesthetic that fits the Anatom very well. Let me explain why.

One of last year’s highlights for me was spending time with the new Rado Anatom Automatic models with ceramic bracelets. As I explained in my hands-on review, the full-ceramic Anatom models hold a special place in my heart. They immediately transport me to family holidays in the ’90s, when my mother expressed a love for the classic Rado Ceramica watches whenever we passed a shop window full of them. I found the watches highly intriguing as a teenager because of their varied looks and uncommon materials. As you will understand, I was more than happy to fondly remember those days by trying out the full-ceramic Anatom Automatic models.

The story of the Rado Anatom Automatic Skeleton

But before those watches came out, Rado brought back the Anatom collection in late 2023, featuring several models with rubber straps. Mike wrote the introduction article, while Lex did a hands-on review that also featured the beautiful, classic Diastar Anatom, which inspired the resurgence of this Rado classic. Now, in another step, Rado introduces a skeletonized version of the Anatom Automatic. This new model combines the plasma-colored case of the full-ceramic model I love so much with the comfortable rubber strap that the first revived Anatom models came with. But most importantly, Rado introduces its first skeletonized version of the current Anatom lineup.

Let’s first discuss the details. The new Anatom Automatic Skeleton features a 32.5mm-wide high-tech ceramic case with an 11.5mm profile and a 46.3mm length. This new case shows a 0.2mm increase in thickness over the regular model, but on the wrist, that is not noticeable at all. The case of this watch has a multi-part construction with the bezel and crown made of Rado’s high-tech ceramic.

The middle case is crafted from brushed stainless steel. As you can see in the pictures, a curved sapphire crystal that is part of the case’s architecture protects the openworked dial. The beautifully finished crystal has gray metalized edges that complement the plasma-colored ceramic bezel. Additionally, the large crystal is beautifully curved to perfectly follow the case’s flow.

The watch comes fitted with a comfortable gray rubber strap and features steel end pieces with a yellow gold PVD coating. Additionally, the strap comes with a stainless steel folding clasp with a gray plasma ceramic cover. This strap rounds out the stylish look of this watch and makes it super comfortable to wear. But we will get to that in a bit.

The special plasma color of Rado’s high-tech ceramic

As I said in last year’s review, the classic Rado ceramic color is black. That is how I fondly remember the classic ceramic Rado watches of the ’90s. But my preferred version of the trio of models I reviewed last year was the gray plasma version. The color and feel are unlike anything else, and I found that model’s aesthetic super impressive. The liquid-metal feel, combined with the gray tone, creates a watch that doesn’t stand out as much as the black models, and I like that. As you will understand, I was happy to see that Rado chose this color for the new Anatom Automatic Skeleton.

The plasma-colored ceramic also complements the watch’s skeletonized look perfectly. Some watches just feel right with an openworked dial, and the Anatom is one of them. As you can see, the white minute track sits on the dial’s periphery and features solid white Super-LumiNova indexes that light up bright in the dark. Hovering over the dial are the skeletonized gold-tone hands, also filled with Super-LumiNova.

The special openworked dial of the Anatom Automatic Skeleton

Thanks to Rado having opened up the dial, you get a perfect view of the inner workings of the brand’s caliber R808. The stripped aesthetic combines various finishes and colors to create an intriguing display of elements. Among them, we find gray bridges, brushed anthracite-coated parts, and gold-colored wheels and cogs.

The skeletonized and layered construction reveals the hairspring at 12 o’clock, with the barrel and mainspring occupying the space between 4 and 6 o’clock. A nice detail is that you can see the keyless works of the crown in action at 3 o’clock. Lastly, I love the combination of rectangular and round shapes that make up the skeletonized caliber.

Although I am not the biggest fan of openworked watches, the skeletonized look suits this one very well. In the short time I spent with the Anatom Automatic Skeleton, I kept coming back to the various details, so I have to give Rado a big compliment for making this watch look so good.

The R808 is not a new movement, though. It also powers the Captain Cook Skeleton and True Square Skeleton models that we reviewed before. This 25-jewel automatic caliber is based on the Swatch Group’s ETA C07.901+. It runs at 21,600 vibrations per hour and offers an 80-hour power reserve.

Wearing the Rado Anatom Automatic Skeleton

After sizing the strap and closing the folding clasp with a firm click, I was immediately reminded of the Rado Anatom’s superb ergonomics. The curved profile sits incredibly well on the wrist. Combined with the lightweight ceramic, it makes for a watch that is an absolute joy to wear. I was, once again, blown away by the Anatom’s incredible comfort. On the wrist is also where the little details stand out. A nice detail is the Rado logo, placed vertically on the upper right of the bezel. I love this little sign-off that fits the design really well.

Additionally, wearing the watch reveals the value of the gold-colored end links and hands. They add exactly the right amount of flair and also up the retro looks. Don’t get me wrong, though; I don’t think this is a retro watch at all. The overall design, combined with the openworked dial, makes for a very modern timepiece. But the two-tone look is something I often associate with watches from the ’70s and ’80s. Here, the two-tone look is a nice touch that I very much appreciate.

Final thoughts on the Rado Anatom Automatic Skeleton

But most of all, I was simply in awe of the great comfort and how well the openworked aesthetic suits the Anatom. The watch weighs 87.6 grams, making it nice and lightweight. But that would not mean anything if it weren’t designed as nicely as it is. The curved profile simply wears wonderfully, and the rubber strap feels sturdy and well made without compromising on comfort. All in all, this watch simply feels wonderfully considered and excellently produced.

The openworked aesthetic is a bonus that I can’t help but appreciate. While I prefer the regular Anatom model over this skeletonized one, I must say that this look fits the Anatom better than most watches. The modern, almost futuristic design and materials truly complement the skeletonized aesthetic. It makes this Rado Anatom Automatic Skeleton the perfect next step in the expansion of the Anatom lineup that will surely find its way to fans.

The new Rado Anatom Automatic Skeleton is available now and costs €4,500. For that money, you get a great watch made with lightweight materials and a visually attractive openworked dial, as well as a level of comfort that easily beats many competitors. That’s exactly what I look for in a daily wearer, and this Rado Anatom reminded me once again what makes this series so great.