Rado / True Square Open Heart x Ji Chang-wook

Rado chose Bangkok for a double milestone: the inauguration of its first corporate boutique in the Thai capital and the unveiling of the True Square Open Heart x Ji Chang-wook, a limited-edition co-creation with its global brand ambassador. Set in Central Park, the event highlighted the Swiss manufacture’s growing presence in Southeast Asia and its focus on material innovation and contemporary design.

Hundreds of fans, media and clients gathered to welcome Korean superstar Ji Chang-wook alongside Rado CEO Adrian Bosshard, turning the opening into an immersive brand moment that combined watchmaking, architecture and celebrity appeal.

Key Highlights

• Opening of Rado’s first corporate boutique in Bangkok, located in Central Park.
• Launch of the True Square Open Heart x Ji Chang-wook, Ref. R27174712.
• Matt black high-tech ceramic monobloc case with open-heart movement display.
• Automatic calibre R734 with 80-hour power reserve and Nivachron™ antimagnetic hairspring.
• Limited edition of 987 pieces with Ji Chang-wook’s signature and dedicated caseback engraving.

The new boutique embodies Rado’s idea of an “ultimate brand experience”, with an interior that emphasizes elegance, craftsmanship and innovation. Iconic collections are presented in a space that echoes the sleek lines and tactile character of the brand’s high-tech materials, giving collectors in Bangkok a focused gateway into the Rado universe.

Following the ribbon-cutting at Central Park, the celebrations continued at centralwOrld for the official launch of the True Square Open Heart x Ji Chang-wook. On stage, Ji Chang-wook and Adrian Bosshard presented the timepiece and discussed how the actor’s artistic sensibility aligned with Rado’s role as “Masters of Materials”, while guests discovered the watch in person.

The partnership between Rado and Ji Chang-wook, begun in 2023, stems from the actor’s genuine interest in watchmaking. During visits to Rado’s research facilities, he explored the path from design to production with particular attention to high-tech ceramic, an experience that informed the limited edition bearing his signature while remaining unmistakably Rado in its architectural form.

The True Square Open Heart x Ji Chang-wook

Ref. R27174712, the True Square Open Heart x Ji Chang-wook, is housed in a matt black high-tech ceramic monobloc case and crown, with a sandblasted titanium caseback and smoked sapphire crystal. On the back, white-printed inscriptions state: “LIMITED EDITION, ONE OUT OF 987, SIGNATURE JI CHANG-WOOK”, while the flat sapphire crystal on the front receives anti-reflective coating on both faces.

The open-heart dial reveals the automatic Rado calibre R734, offering an 80-hour power reserve, 25 jewels and three hands. It features an antimagnetic Nivachron™ hairspring and is tested from three to five positions, with circular grain decoration and a Côtes de Genève decorated movement holder visible beneath the vertically brushed black dial, framed by nickel-coloured bevels and a white-printed minute track.

The dial is set with 12 rubies (full cut, 0.560 carat), while the rhodium-coloured moving anchor symbol turns over a black background. Rhodium-coloured hands with red Super-LumiNova® and a rhodium-coloured seconds hand support legibility, and on the wrist a matt black high-tech ceramic bracelet with titanium three-fold clasp completes the monochrome profile, with dimensions of 38.0 x 44.2 x 9.7 mm.

Why it matters

This Bangkok debut crystallises two pillars of Rado’s current direction: strategic expansion of its boutique network in high-profile locations, and a collaborative approach to ambassador partnerships. The True Square Open Heart x Ji Chang-wook is a limited series of 987 pieces that reflects the actor’s engagement with high-tech ceramic and mechanical watchmaking.

For collectors across the GCC who prioritise distinctive materials, refined proportions and co-created designs, this release provides a precise touchpoint with both the brand and its ambassador.