The Rado V10K can claim to be the world's hardest watch - only a genuine diamond can scratch its casing. However, the world's hardest watch doesn't come cheap but has Rado been able to successfully marry hardness with practicality and pleasing design lines?

Rado is a Swiss company and has been making watches since 1917. Rado produced the world's first scratchproof watch in the 1960s. The watch was called the Rado DiaStar. Rado wanted to make the world's hardest watch, so it went into collaboration with specialists in nanotechnology to perfect the use of coating the watch casing with crushed diamond. After some years of research, Rado perfected a way to coat a homogenous 100% diamond layer onto hard metal components. Soon after, the Rado V10K was released.

Right from its introduction it would be fair to say that this watch has become a 'must have' for certain watch collectors.

Not all the components of the V10K are scratchproof. However, the connecting pieces between sapphire crystal and bracelet, as well as the lateral elements, are protected with diamond hardness against scratching. The 'scratchable' parts are the rubber strap, titanium case back and the strap clasp - also of titanium.

The look of the watch is understated, to say the least, and its design won't appeal to everyone. Someone once remarked that the design of the Rado V10K watch was like that of the first LED watches produced in the 1970s! Whilst, I disagree, I kind of know what they meant; it's simple, understated design and sleek black casing does have a slight 'retro' look to it. The watch face is pure simplicity; black with the Rado log and two white arms. There are no numerals or any further decoration of any kind. The functional rubber strap and clasp complement the overall, almost utilitarian, feel to the Rado V10K watch.

Another aspect that is unusual about the V10K by Rado is the absence of a crown. Rado omitted a crown purely out of design aesthetics. If you do need to change the time - there's no date function of this watch - you have to do so by means of a magnetic contact element that is contained in the strap. Whilst, I appreciate why Rado wanted to avoid putting a crown on the casing of the V10K, it is a little bit more problematic changing the time on this watch than it is on others; a frequent traveler would not find this the most practical of watches.

The V10K is also water resistant and comes with a two year guarantee.

The Rado V10K watch isn't going to appeal to the mass market. Its styling can seem so understated as to be absent altogether. But the V10K wasn't designed for the mass market; rather it was designed for those who appreciate that they possess something that is unique, as well as a timepiece that is a part of watch making history.