Rado Captain Watch

Gathering inspiration for creation is something artists do every day, and Rado is no exception. Regarded as one of the top watch aficionados in the world, the brand is design oriented, very avant-garde and more recently recognized for more retro designs. The Captain Cook, named in reference to the famous British naval explorer, and inspired from a vintage 1960’s dive watch, certainly the timepiece is nothing short of innovative and brilliant.

The original timepiece was crafted with an inner rotating dive-scale bezel rather than an external one. This feature, a very accurate element is key to why this watch is part of the Tradition collection rather than the Hyperchrome.  Designed with a turtle-shaped case, measuring at 37mm x 40.6mm, the Captain is made in polished stainless steel and incorporates two screw-down

crowns. Each crown, one at 3 o’clock and one at 4 o’clock play a role that is critical to this timepiece functionality. One crown winds the watch, and one operates the internal diving bezel. The sapphire crystal has been treated with non-reflective coating on both sides. Capturing the heart of the 1960’s design, the matte black dial is enhanced with large rhodium colored hour indices and hands. A date window sits at 3 o’clock and crafted with specific reason, a red and white inner bezel, the red highlights the critical one to five minutes of dive time. The very distinct Rado vintage anchor emblem is placed at 12 o’clock, and carefully set into the sapphire crystal.

The beautiful hands and hour indices are treated with super luminova and highlight the large orientation dots decorating the bezel in a soft cream color that the brand refers to as ‘natural’, but providing an appealing patina to the details of the dial. The Rado Captain Cook logo is placed beneath the anchor with ‘Captain Cook’ adorning the area above the 6 o’clock and both enhanced

with rhodium coloring. The screwed down solid steel back provides the protection for 220 meter water resistance, and inside the case the modern automatic ETA C07.611 movement with 25 jewels and exceptional 80 hour power reserve. The limited edition number is engraved on the timepiece and stamped with a trip of seahorses so the caseback clearly marks the model as a collectors’ item.

The traditions of the Captain finish with the Rado easy change strap system, allowing the owner to swap out the magnificent seven-row rice-grain steel bracelet with the black NATO strap that also comes with the watch.  While perhaps not as adventurous as the namesake, this timepiece is certainly large on the wrist and striking to wear. Modern and sophisticated in the design, every collector will be diving in for this beauty, even if only on the surface.