If you stumble onto the Rado website, one of the watch models that pick out as being a standout option from across their longer history is the R5.5 Jubile, a collection of fully ceramic, square dial pieces designed by British designer Jasper Morrison. These pieces are a bit of an odd choice in the Rado canon, having been released nearly fifteen years ago. However, this dark blue chronograph model, reference R28886202, popped up at the ‘Hour Passion’ Swatch Group outlet boutique at Bicester Village back in February 2023, and I bought it because of its odd shape and interesting history.
These watches seem to be few and far between to purchase in 2023, but you can pick up a range of different R5.5 models for anything from £1000 to £1500 on the second hand market. With 2024 potentially being the year for square dial watches, it makes sense to go back in time to look at what was then quite an intriguing option.
The Case
Rado R5.5 Jubile Chronograph Review - Credit Guest Author
The most important thing with this R5.5 Jubile Chronograph is its use of high-tech ceramic. At the time, Rado seemed to be the only manufacturer using ceramic in its watches, and this particular model utilises the material on both the case and integrated bracelet. It’s finished in a deep black colour, and its matted finish looks excellent.
As for its square casing with rounded corners, the R5.5 Jubile Chronograph was designed by Jasper Morrison to be a little different, and to look almost digital. There’s some nice irony here, given the fact this is a quartz chronograph instead. Morrison designed to be square so to be a little different, and with this currently growing obsession with square watches, it fits right in. It’s certainly a left-field looking watch, and a good-looking one too.
Rado R5.5 Jubile Chronograph Review - Credit Guest Author
A 37mm by 37mm case is restrained compared to the burgeoning size of other square-dial chronographs, such as the litany of options in the lineup of Tag Heuer Monacos, and this smaller size means it wears well on my wrist. The rounded corners almost provide a call-back to the ‘TV’ dial watches we saw in the 1970s from the likes of Omega and Seiko, and it’s this retro aesthetic that gives the R5.5 Jubile Chronograph plenty of character. In-keeping with its minimalistic nature, the chronograph pushers are rounded and flat, so to not protrude from the case too much, while the crown is small, and can be a little fiddly to get at.
The Dial
Rado R5.5 Jubile Chronograph Review - Credit Guest Author
Compared to the matted finish of the ceramic case, the R5.5 Jubile Chronograph’s dial is where things get a bit more interesting. Its dark blue colouring sits nicely against the black ceramic case, and there is almost a fume-like quality to it, with a small black gradient as the dial goes around. It’s simple but attractive, and works well with the wider watch.
As a chronograph, there are also a pair of subdials present on the R5.5 Jubile Chronograph, with the one at six o’clock being for seconds, while the one at nine o’clock is for minutes. Interestingly, there isn’t a sub-dial for hours, although it may not have fitted nicely on this Rado’s smaller proportioned case. Instead, three o’clock is where we find a tiny date wheel, whose edges are sunken down. This is a nice touch, and as a quartz watch, will keep ticking around with no need for manual adjustment, as long as the battery is still functioning, of course.
Rado R5.5 Jubile Chronograph Review - Credit Guest Author
As much as the dial may have the potential to be quite boring with a blue and black colouring, the silver gradient on the two subdials, combined with the bright orange second hand offers a funkier look than the R5.5 Jubile Chronograph may let on initially. This contrast of orange is also present on the sub dial’s hands, too, and looks excellent. Otherwise, the baton handset is thin, like the hour and minute markers, and signals a return to the minimalistic nature of this watch. Luminescence therefore isn’t the best, with only a thin strip across the hands.
The Movement
Rado R5.5 Jubile Chronograph Review - Credit Guest Author
Rado doesn’t specify which quartz movement is used in the R5.5 Jubile Chronograph, but copious amounts of research and trawling through old press releases revealed the R5.5 lineup to be using an ETA 251.471 quartz chronograph movement. This is perhaps little surprise given the convergence between Rado and ETA as brands that are both part of the Swatch Group. This movement is also one that has been featured in the Hamilton Khaki Air, and the older Uniform Wares 300 Chronograph, too.
From my 10 months or so of wearing the R5.5 Jubile Chronograph, the quartz movement has been reliable and accurate. It may only be a quartz movement, but sometimes that isn’t a bad thing, if you want an accurate movement that won’t constantly need winding.
The Bracelet
Rado R5.5 Jubile Chronograph Review - Credit Guest Author
Much like with the case, the bracelet on the R5.5 Jubile Chronograph makes use of the same matted ceramic, which integrates nicely into the case. It makes for an especially comfortable wear over long periods, and doesn’t pull on my arm, unlike other bracelets. The width of each link narrows and widens as you go around the bracelet, which is a nice touch, and continues the trend of the R5.5 Jubile Chronograph being an interesting watch to wear and look at, too.
Conclusion
Rado R5.5 Jubile Chronograph Review - Credit Guest Author
When it was first released back in 2010, the Rado R5.5 Jubile Chronograph was a watch that was ahead of its time, with its combination of quirky looks and interesting materials. In 2024, it fits right in, and looks excellent. It’s comfortable to wear with a great ceramic bracelet, while the combination of its matted black bracelet and gradiented blue dial made for one of the better-looking options in the R5.5 lineup at the time.
Picking one of them up may be a little difficult, but if you can get one, the R5.5 Jubile Chronograph would be an interesting addition to any watch collection.
Specs
- Brand: Rado
- Model: R5.5 Jubile Chronograph
- Price: £1000
- Material: Ceramic case and bracelet, titanium clasp
- Movement: ETA 251.471 quartz chronograph
- Complications: Chronograph
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Dial: Blue to black gradient, with two chronograph sub-dials
- Size: 37mm case diameter, 10mm thickness
- When the reviewer would personally wear it: Either to be dressed up or dressed down, but pairs well with polo shirts and jeans
- A friend we’d recommend it to first: Someone who likes odder looking and smaller timepieces, from a brand outside of the usual mainstream.
- Best characteristics of the watch: Its rounded shape, and the inclusion of ceramic on the bracelet and case
- The worst characteristics of the watch: The lack of luminescence due to its slim handset
