The New Rado Captain Cook with Shimmering Golden Dial

Since its revival in 2017, the Captain Cook has become one of Rado’s greatest success stories. Originally introduced in 1962, the collection has grown into a very diverse family, ranging from compact vintage-inspired divers to high-tech ceramic models, skeleton watches and chronographs. Rado has also experimented with materials, colours and finishes while preserving the distinctive character of its retro dive watch; look at last year’s releases with gradient dials. The latest addition focuses on what immediately catches the eye: a new golden dial that adds a fresh personality to the versatile 39mm Captain Cook series.

The new watch retains the stainless steel case introduced as the middle ground between the 37mm and 43mm versions. Measuring 39mm in diameter, 45.5mm lug-to-lug and 12mm thick, it offers proportions that suit a wide variety of wrists without losing the robust character expected from a capable dive watch. Water-resistance remains at 300m, thanks to the screw-down crown and caseback, making this far more than a stylish everyday watch. The overall construction remains. The polished case features a rotating bezel in yellow gold-coloured PVD-coated steel, with a polished black high-tech ceramic bezel insert with white Super-LumiNova-filled numerals and markers. A box-shaped sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating on both sides completes the package, offering the pleasant edge distortion that fans have come to love.

For this release, Rado has created a new dial finish using a multi-stage process that produces a sparkling, diamond-powder-like golden surface. The textured finish constantly changes with the light, creating the impression of movement with every wrist turn. The effect is bold, a bit extravagant, an unexpected guise for the otherwise familiar Captain Cook layout. The dial retains all the practical elements. Large applied indices receive yellow gold-coloured PVD treatment and are filled with white Super-LumiNova, with time indicated by broad hands for excellent readability. The signature moving anchor logo continues to rotate below 12 o’clock, and the date window remains at 3 o’clock.

The watch is powered by the familiar automatic calibre R763 (which is in fact an ETA C07.611 “Powermatic 80” with a branded rotor). Beating at 21,600 vibrations/hour, it delivers an 80-hour power reserve and incorporates a Nivachron balance spring for improved resistance to magnetic fields.

This new Rado Captain Cook reference is supplied with a stainless steel bracelet and a black textured rubber strap. The bracelet combines brushed outer links with polished rice-grain centre links, continuing the vintage inspiration while offering comfort. Using Rado’s EasyClip quick-release system, changing to the supplied rubber strap requires no tools. The price is CHF 2,450.

For more information, please visit Rado.com.