Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated September 5, 2026

Rado True Square Automatic vs Stauer 1920s Retrograde

Rado's timepiece meets Stauer's dress watch

Quick Verdict

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde ($100–$150) delivers Quartz technology in the tier below the Rado True Square Automatic ($1,500–$2,500). The 1920s Retrograde measures 43mm and is rated 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer. The True Square Automatic justifies its premium with Swiss Made heritage and Automatic ETA C07.611. Both represent excellent choices in the luxury watch category.

View the dossier Stauer1920s Retrograde$100–$150 Check price

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Rado

True Square Automatic

$1,500–$2,500

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Stauer

1920s Retrograde

$100–$150

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Specifications Compared

Feature	Rado True Square Automatic	Stauer 1920s Retrograde
Price	$1,500–$2,500	$100–$150
Case Size	38mm (Square)	43mm
Movement	Automatic ETA C07.611	Quartz
Caliber Type	Powermatic 80 (ETA-Based)	Quartz
Power Reserve	80 Hours	Battery
Water Resistance	50m (5 ATM)	100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer
Crystal	Sapphire (Anti-Reflective)	Mineral crystal
Case Material	Monobloc High-Tech Ceramic	Gold-tone stainless steel (listing photo shows a gold-tone finish; Amazon spec table says stainless steel)
Origin	Swiss Made	Stauer (USA brand, imported)

Category-by-Category Analysis

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Design & Aesthetics

Edge: Draw

Rado's design language vs Stauer's approach

The Rado True Square Automatic features a Monobloc High-Tech Ceramic case at 38mm (Square) with Sapphire (Anti-Reflective) protection. The Stauer 1920s Retrograde offers Gold-tone stainless steel (listing photo shows a gold-tone finish; Amazon spec table says stainless steel) construction at 43mm with Mineral crystal. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.

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Movement & Performance

Edge: Rado

Automatic ETA C07.611 vs Quartz

The True Square Automatic runs the Automatic ETA C07.611 (Powermatic 80 (ETA-Based), 80 Hours power reserve) at 21,600 vph (3 Hz) frequency. The 1920s Retrograde uses the Quartz (Quartz, Battery reserve) at standard. The True Square Automatic edges ahead on power reserve.

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Wearability & Fit

Edge: Rado

38mm (Square) vs 43mm — different wrist presence

At 38mm (Square), the True Square Automatic wears more compactly on smaller wrists compared to the 1920s Retrograde at 43mm. Water resistance differs: 50m (5 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer.

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Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Stauer

Stauer sits in the lower tier

The Rado True Square Automatic sits at $1,500–$2,500 and the Stauer 1920s Retrograde at $100–$150. On the specs that outlast any price: the True Square Automatic uses Sapphire (Anti-Reflective) with 80 Hours, against Mineral crystal and Battery on the 1920s Retrograde. Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

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Water Resistance

Edge: Stauer

50m (5 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer

The True Square Automatic is rated to 50m (5 ATM) while the 1920s Retrograde handles 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer. The 1920s Retrograde offers superior water resistance.

Our Verdict

Rado

True Square Automatic

Choose the Rado True Square Automatic if you prioritize Powermatic 80 (ETA-Based) engineering, Swiss Made craftsmanship, and 50m (5 ATM) water resistance. At $1,500–$2,500, it delivers Automatic ETA C07.611 with 80 Hours power reserve.

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Stauer

1920s Retrograde

Choose the Stauer 1920s Retrograde if you value Quartz technology, Stauer (USA brand, imported) heritage, and 43mm proportions. At $100–$150, the Quartz with Battery power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

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The Bottom Line

The Rado True Square Automatic and Stauer 1920s Retrograde represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Rado bringing Swiss Made tradition while Stauer delivers Stauer (USA brand, imported) engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Rado True Square Automatic is the better buy if you want a mechanical movement; the Stauer 1920s Retrograde is the better buy if you want quartz accuracy with no servicing. For water, the Stauer 1920s Retrograde is rated 100 m against 50 m, which is the difference between swimming and diving on one side and splashes on the other. On price, the Stauer 1920s Retrograde sits a band lower ($100–$150 against $1,500–$2,500), so it is the cheaper way into the category. Neither is better at everything; the spec table above shows movement, case size, water resistance and crystal side by side so you can weigh what matters to you. We do not test units, so this is the makers' data, not a bench result.

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde offers better upfront value, sitting a tier lower at $100–$150. However, the Rado True Square Automatic may justify its premium with superior finishing, heritage, or resale value.

Both are suitable for daily wear. The True Square Automatic at 38mm (Square) with 50m (5 ATM) water resistance handles everyday situations. The 1920s Retrograde at 43mm with 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer is similarly capable. The True Square Automatic uses Sapphire (Anti-Reflective) while the 1920s Retrograde uses Mineral crystal. Sapphire resists scratches noticeably better than mineral glass.

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How This Page Was Made

Our comparisons are generated from a hand-maintained specification database and reviewed under our editorial standards. We use AI tools to assemble pages from that data. We don’t invent specs: every number traces back to the database, and when we correct an entry, the fix is applied site-wide. As an Amazon Associate, The Horologist earns from qualifying purchases.