The Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Chronograph in Navy Blue

Rado’s foray into the world of dive watches in 1962 resulted in the Captain Cook, a somewhat quirky watch that didn’t emulate the rugged tool watches populating the underwater scene. Defined by its less utilitarian character, the Captain Cook had a compact 35mm case, an inward-sloping bezel, a domed acrylic crystal, a pivoting anchor at noon and a square magnifier. Resurfacing in 2017 with many of its vintage charms intact, the Captain Cook family is also a showcase for Rado’s expertise in innovative materials. In 2022, the Captain Cook welcomed a new crew member with the release of a burly 43mm Chronograph. For 2026, Rado proposes a high-tech ceramic version of the Captain Cook, standing to attention in maritime navy blue.

With its 43mm diameter, 16.2mm height and 49.8mm lug-to-lug, the Captain Cook Chronograph is an imposing watch, no doubt about it. However, the use of high-tech plasma ceramic for the monobloc case and bracelet reduces the weight of the watch to 169 grams. To produce the futuristic liquid-metal look of plasma ceramic, the white ceramic is fired and altered at hellish temperatures of 20,000° (you can read all about Rado’s innovative materials here). In addition to its intriguing metallic grey, almost pearlescent, surface, it is harder than steel (1,250 Vickers), impervious to scratches and light and silky to the touch. Decorated with matte finishes on the more exposed areas, the polished central link of the bracelet adds a dynamic touch of light.

The sturdy 300m ceramic water-resistant hull is enhanced with polished rose gold-coloured PVD-coated details on the large screw-down pushers and crown and the notched area of the bezel. In true naval style, the gold accents are paired with a crisp navy blue dial and bezel. The markings engraved in the polished navy blue high-tech ceramic bezel insert are filled with white Super-LumiNova. In deference to its ancestor, the bezel slopes inwards, and the dial is protected by a box-shaped sapphire crystal.

In a departure from the first Captain Cook Chronograph with two counters, the more recent ceramic versions feature an additional counter with the incorporation of a 12-hour totaliser at 6 o’clock, just above the date window. The chunky applied indices with their gold PVD-plated borders are filled with white SLN, as are the distinctive arrow-tipped hour hand and the sword-shaped minutes hand. The gold-plated hands corresponding to the chronograph functions have a vintage-inspired red tip matching the colour of the date numerals. The slightly recessed 30-minute and small second counters have snailed frames with white markings and brushed interiors. Finally, the iconic pivoting anchor is featured at noon against a synthetic ruby background.

The window on the titanium caseback exposes certain components of the robust automatic R801 movement. A modular chronograph based on the ETA A31, its balance beats at 4Hz, it is fitted with a Nivachron anti-magnetic hairspring and delivers a 59-hour power reserve. This new version of the Rado Captain Cook Chronograph retails for EUR 6,500. More information at rado.com.