LENGNAU, SWITZERLAND
MAY 2019
The ultimate Rado tribute to a design legend
At Rado, we are proud to launch our latest collection
of full high-tech ceramic watches which pay tribute to a true legend of design. The True
Thinline Les CouleursTM Le Corbusier celebrates the work of the pioneering and
visionary architect in a truly unique collection.
As the Master of Materials, we have used all the expertise we’ve gained during more
than 30 years of working with high-tech ceramic to create watches in the nine
Architectural Polychromy colours deemed to be both appealing and the most
challenging to create consistently.
Created in 1931 and 1959, Architectural Polychromy was ahead of its time, using 63
colours with architectural significance that help to create space and depth as well as
having a profound physiological and psychological impact on the viewer. The colours
are classified in nine groups of different shades and tones. The palettes are still used
widely today by architects and designers – a testament to their enduring appeal and
long-lasting relevance as well as Le Corbusier’s unrivalled status as a true visionary.
Vibrant, velvety, balanced, bold, powerful, expressive, luminous, impressive and pure,
the True Thinline Les CouleursTM Le Corbusier watches are produced in limited editions
of 999 pieces per colour. Each has a special case back design which includes all 63
colours. As ever at Rado, each piece is durable, scratch-resistant, light and comfortable
to wear thanks to the full high-tech ceramic construction and our pioneering monobloc
case construction.
As the exclusive watch partner of Les CouleursTM Le Corbusier, only Rado is able to
make these exact colours and we are proud to produce them in our signature high-tech
ceramic.
Often considered the ultimate Rado because of its breakthrough design, the True
Thinline is the perfect watch to showcase our ability to create bold and dynamic colour
and to pay tribute to Le Corbusier, who helped shape and define the modern world as
we see it – in glorious technicolour.
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About Rado
Rado is known as the Master of Materials for the way it has revolutionised traditional watchmaking, leading the industry by introducing high-tech ceramic, ultra-light high-tech
ceramic, colourful high-tech ceramic and CeramosTM to its design-led collections. An
award-winning designer with numerous prestigious international prizes to its name, and
considered the most forward-thinking design player in the watch industry today, Rado
has always been a pioneer and leader, setting the standard and raising the bar.
About Le Corbusier
Architect, designer, painter, urban planner, writer. The multi-talented Le Corbusier is
considered one of the most important architects and designers of modern times. He
established many of the ideas we have about modernity in general. Born in the heart of
Swiss watchmaking country, his work inspired the Bauhaus movement and the International furniture style. He is widely remembered for his groundbreaking theory of
colour, which led to the development of an architectural colour palette.
About Le Corbusier’s Architectural Polychromy
The purist palette of 1931 includes 43 shades in 14 series. The series are composed of
solid colours and masterfully graduated brightening. The second collection from 1959
completes the Architectural Polychromy with 20 colours that are more powerful and
dynamic. The combination of colourful and achromatic hues and different brightness
values underlines the extraordinary experiences of Le Corbusier in architecture and as
a painter, which form the foundation of the entire Architectural Polychromy.
About Les CouleursTM Le Corbusier
The Fondation Le Corbusier in Paris has entrusted Les Couleurs Suisse AG with the
exclusive worldwide licensing rights for the Le Corbusier colours. Les Couleurs Suisse
AG offers the masterful colour scheme and original colours by Le Corbusier to
international manufacturers of architectural and design products. The licensed and
certified Les CouleursTM Le Corbusier manufacturers – including Rado - produce
premium products based on the Architectural Polychromy, for outstanding architecture
and remarkable colour design.
