Last week, Rado unveiled the 40th anniversary edition of its first-ever high-tech ceramic watch, the Integral. At the celebrations in Switzerland, an Indian cricketer, donning the True Square Automatic Open Heart, was signed as Rado’s newest Friend of the Brand – Smriti Mandhana – one of the leading figures in international cricket and a prominent face of Indian women’s cricket. While this is not the first time Rado has associated with cricket, the brand has been the official timekeeper of European Cricket since 2025 and has brand ambassadors from the sport, such as South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada and Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, with vice-captain of the Indian women’s national team, Mandhana, now joining them.

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Mandhana’s recent achievements further underscore her prominence in the sport. She captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru to victory in the 2026 Women’s Premier League season, adding to a previous title in 2024. She is the highest run-scorer in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 and received the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year award in 2024, alongside earlier recognitions as ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year in 2018 and 2021. Over the course of her career, she has set multiple records, including the fastest century by an Indian player in women’s ODIs, the most centuries in a calendar year, and becoming the fastest and youngest player to reach 10,000 runs in women’s international cricket. Beyond sport, Mandhana has maintained a strong cultural presence. With a significant following across social media and frequent appearances in leading publications, she has positioned herself as a crossover figure between athletics and fashion.

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Rado’s CEO, Adrian Bosshard, and Mandhana shared their thoughts on the collaboration, highlighting her influence and alignment with the brand’s values of ambition and innovation.

Chronoholic: Rado is celebrating 40 years of pioneering high-tech ceramic. In your opinion, what does “material innovation” mean today – not just technically, but emotionally for the wearer?
Adrian Bosshard: Material innovation today goes far beyond technical advancement. It is about how a product feels and performs over time. With high-tech ceramic, we are not only engineering durability and lightness, but also creating a tactile and emotional experience for the wearer. A watch should feel effortless, almost like a second skin, while maintaining its appearance and integrity over years of use. That sense of reliability and comfort builds a deeper, more personal connection with the product. For us, innovation is as much about emotion as it is about engineering.

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Chronoholic: The Integral was the first Rado timepiece in high-tech ceramic. How would you define, “the Integral is integral to Rado’s heritage?”
AB: The Integral represents a defining moment in our history. It was the first time we introduced high-tech ceramic into watchmaking in such a distinctive way, and it fundamentally changed how we approached materials. It is not just a product, but a symbol of our willingness to challenge conventions and invest in long-term innovation. In many ways, it laid the foundation for everything that Rado stands for today, including design, durability, and material expertise.

Chronoholic: What made this collaboration feel like a natural fit for both of you?
AB: For us, partnerships must be authentic and credible. Smriti represents consistency, discipline, and a very modern form of excellence, qualities that are built over time, not overnight.
That aligns closely with how we approach our craft, especially with high-tech ceramic, which has been developed and refined over decades. It is not about short-term visibility, but long-term values, and that is what makes this collaboration feel natural.

Chronoholic: Rado has been an official timekeeper of European Cricket since 2025. What aligns your support to this sport?
AB: Cricket is a sport that is deeply rooted in precision, timing, and consistency, values that are very close to watchmaking. Our involvement reflects a broader strategy of aligning with disciplines where performance and discipline are central. Cricket, especially in its global evolution, offers a strong platform to connect with audiences who appreciate both tradition and modernity, much like our brand.

Chronoholic: How important is it today for luxury brands to connect with personalities who reflect modern ambition and relatability?

AB: It is extremely important. Today’s consumer is more informed and values authenticity.
Partnerships need to go beyond visibility. They must reflect shared values. When you work with individuals who represent discipline, ambition, and relatability, it creates a more meaningful connection with the audience and reinforces credibility, which is essential in today’s luxury landscape.

Chronoholic: Which consumer group are you looking at with this partnership?
AB: We are engaging with a more informed and evolving consumer, someone who values not just design, but also material innovation, performance, and authenticity. There is a growing segment of younger, globally aware consumers who appreciate craftsmanship but also seek relevance and meaning in what they wear. This partnership speaks directly to that mindset.

Chronoholic: Rado has always taken a design-first approach. How do you reinterpret traditional watchmaking for a contemporary audience?
AB: For us, it is about expanding the definition of watchmaking. Traditionally, the focus has been on movement and finishing. While those remain important, we have placed equal emphasis on materials. By innovating with high-tech ceramic, we are able to offer both design freedom and technical performance. This allows us to reinterpret watchmaking in a way that feels modern, without losing the essence of craftsmanship.

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Chronoholic: After high-tech ceramic, where does Rado go from here?
AB: Material innovation will continue to be at the core of our journey. High-tech ceramic is not the end point; it is a foundation. We will keep exploring new possibilities in materials, design, and how our products integrate into everyday life. At the same time, our storytelling will evolve to remain relevant in a more digital and globally connected world. The focus will always be on progressing without losing sight of what defines Rado.

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Smriti Mandhana

Chronoholic: You’ve built a strong identity not just as an athlete, but you’re also recognised for your style. How has your personal style evolved alongside your journey in cricket?
Smriti Mandhana: I think my style has evolved quite naturally with time. Earlier, it was very simple and purely comfort-driven, and that still remains important to me. But over the years, I’ve become a little more open to experimenting depending on the occasion. That said, I still like to keep things easy and effortless. For me, style has always been about feeling comfortable in what I wear rather than following anything too defined.

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Chronoholic: You represent a new generation of Indian athletes who influence both sport and lifestyle. What does it mean to partner with a global luxury brand like Rado?
SM: It feels very meaningful because it reflects how sport is evolving today. There is more recognition not just for performance on the field, but also for the journey and personality beyond it. With Rado, what stands out is their philosophy of building something over time through consistency and innovation. That’s something I connect with deeply as an athlete, so the association feels very natural.

Chronoholic: On and off the pitch, performance and presentation both matter. How do you balance comfort, confidence, and expression?
SM: For me, comfort is always the starting point. If I feel comfortable, I automatically feel more confident. From there, everything else follows. I don’t overthink expression too much; it’s more about being myself and keeping things simple. That balance tends to come naturally when you’re not trying too hard.

Chronoholic: What was your first impression of Rado as a brand, and how has that perception evolved since you became associated with it?
SM: My first impression was of a brand that was very design-focused and distinctive. Over time, I’ve come to understand the depth behind that design, especially their work with high-tech ceramic and the level of detail that goes into each piece. It’s not just about how the watch looks, but how it performs and feels over time, which has made me appreciate the brand even more.

Chronoholic: Rado has a strong identity rooted in innovation and design – what aspects of the brand resonate most with your personality?
SM: What resonates most with me is their focus on consistency and attention to detail.
In cricket, it’s often the small things that make the biggest difference, and I see a similar approach in how Rado works. Their commitment to refining their craft over time is something I connect with.

Chronoholic: Was there a particular Rado watch or collection that you connected with instantly? What drew you to it?
SM: I connected instantly with the True Square. The high-tech ceramic makes it extremely light and comfortable, which is very important for me. At the same time, the square design feels very distinctive and modern, yet timeless. That combination of comfort and design is what drew me to it.

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Chronoholic: How does wearing a Rado watch complement your personal style?
SM: It fits in quite seamlessly because my style is very relaxed and comfort-driven.
Rado watches have that same ease to them; they don’t feel heavy or overdone, but still have a strong design identity. That balance works well with how I approach style.

Chronoholic: How would you define a watch as an extension of identity and self-expression?
SM: I think a watch says a lot about how you approach things. It’s not always about making a statement, but more about what you feel comfortable wearing every day. For me, it’s about something that reflects simplicity, reliability, and a sense of ease. That, in a way, becomes a part of your identity.

Chronoholic: How do you adapt your watch choices between match days, travel, and public appearances?
SM: It’s mostly about comfort and practicality. During travel or daily routines, I prefer something light and easy to wear. For public appearances, I might choose something that feels a little more refined, but still within my comfort zone. I don’t like switching too much from what feels natural.

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Chronoholic: As an athlete, you’re highly aware of performance materials. Do you see similarities between sports gear and watchmaking materials?
SM: Yes, definitely. In sport, the choice of material can directly impact performance, whether it’s the weight, durability, or comfort of the gear. It’s quite similar in watchmaking. Materials like high-tech ceramic not only affect how the watch looks, but also how it feels and performs over time. That focus on functionality along with design is something I relate to.

Chronoholic: Do you associate watches with milestones or memories in your life?
SM: I think watches naturally become associated with certain phases of your life. You might not always realise it in the moment, but over time, they end up reminding you of where you were and what you were doing during that period. That’s what makes them quite special.

Chronoholic: What does time mean to you right now – in your career and in your life?
SM: Right now, time feels more about growth and understanding. When you’re playing, everything moves very quickly, but over the years you realise how important time is in helping you learn, improve, and evolve. It’s about making the most of each phase while staying patient with the process.

‍Images - Courtesy RADO