The global star’s partnership with Rado leads to a striking limited-edition timepiece—and reveals how curiosity, craftsmanship, and culture come together in Swiss watchmaking
Rado has long used bold imagery, emotion, and design innovation to speak to its global audience. But behind every campaign is something more personal: the people who bring the brand’s vision to life. For Rado CEO Adrian Bosshard, actor Ji Chang-wook has become one of those rare ambassadors who feels like part of the family.
Since joining Rado as a global ambassador in 2023, Ji has brought warmth, openness, and genuine curiosity to the partnership. His relationship with the brand grew naturally through visits to Switzerland and conversations with Rado’s design and technical teams. During a visit to Rado Headquarters in March 2024, he explored the world of high-tech ceramic—a material central to Rado’s identity—and that encounter sparked an unexpected idea: creating a special version of the True Square Open Heart together.
The idea began with a detail rooted in Ji’s culture. In Korea, red is believed to bring good luck and protection. Ji also shared that the ruby is his birthstone, a personal detail that instantly inspired the team. The result: a limited-edition timepiece featuring twelve vivid red rubies marking the hours, a perfect match for the Open Heart design’s sculptural transparency. The watch, like Ji himself, carries a quiet radiance, a harmonious spirit, and just enough mystery to draw you in.
Collaborations have always been part of Rado’s DNA. The brand has a long history of working with creative thinkers—from artists to designers—to reimagine models or celebrate milestones. Each partnership adds a new layer of character to the brand. For Rado, Ji’s contribution stands out for its sincerity and his genuine engagement with the craft behind the watches.
How the Watch Came to Life
The project took shape almost by accident. When Ji visited Rado’s high-tech ceramic lab—a place where ideas evolve years before they reach the market—he wasn’t there to design a watch. The goal was simply to show him where the research happens and share a glimpse of the processes behind Rado’s signature materials.
But creativity has its own rhythm. Within minutes, Ji was asking questions, imagining possibilities, and thinking through the technical steps with the team. Discussions about ceramic powders and coloring methods led to talk of cases, bracelets, and what an “open-hearted” watch represents. Rado CEO Adrian Bosshard joked that a watch designed by someone so open-hearted should, naturally, be see-through. Ji smiled and agreed.
Then came the moment that sealed the collaboration. “We could add rubies,” he said, noting both their cultural meaning and his personal connection to the stone. The room lit up. Red rubies for protection and luck, wrapped in a design built on openness and curiosity—it felt right.
From that spark, the project moved quickly. The team translated idea into concept, concept into craft, and craft into the new True Square Open Heart x Ji Chang-wook, a limited-edition watch that captures the spirit of the partnership. For those who were there that day in 2024, the result feels like the perfect tribute: a watch that is visually striking, slightly mysterious, and unmistakably sincere.
The Timepiece
The limited-edition model features a matt-black high-tech ceramic case and bracelet, paired with twelve ruby hour markers and red Super-LumiNova®. Its open-heart design draws the eye inward, revealing the rhythm of the movement—a pause in the day that invites reflection, wonder, and appreciation for the mechanics within.
Like Ji, the watch carries a character that is modern, elegant, and quietly expressive. It’s a piece that blends craftsmanship with meaning, and a reminder of how creativity thrives when people meet with openness and imagination.
For Rado, the collaboration is more than a product release. It’s a story of connection—between ambassador and brand, culture and craft, curiosity and innovation—and a testament to how the right partnership can turn a simple visit into something extraordinary.