Best of 2022: Rado Captain Cook Chronograph Watches
Friday - 27 January 2023
Anyone who is well acquainted with Rado watches knows that the Captain Cook collection offers a broad and versatile selection of watches equipped for daring exploration both on dry land and underwater. The Captain Cook watch collection was launched in the early 1960s and named after British explorer, James Cook. True to its name, the model is built for adventure-seekers and upholds its promise as a reliable, accurate and ultra-resilient wristwatch for all terrains, all weather conditions and all climates. This is down to its legible dial and a robust case, now offered in an almost completely ceramic bodywork (all apart from the caseback and bracelet clasp, that is). The new Rado Captain Cook Chronograph watches are now available to order and are testament to the brand’s reputation for being a “Master in Materials”.
At first, the Rado Captain Cook watch measured a relatively small diameter on the wrist of just 37mm but was considered a robust dive watch with a patented case and a 200-meter water resistance. When the model was relaunched in 2017 it featured the same 37mm case but with an improved water resistance of 300 meters, appealing even more to the dive watch world. The red numerals on the date wheel remained the same, as did the instantly recognisable spinning anchor, indicating when the watch required a service. Since then, there have been several follow-up versions including the steel and ceramic models and the new limited edition watch released last year with a tinted sapphire display, a ceramic crown, a titanium caseback and a titanium three-fold clasp attached to its ceramic bracelet. Also new for 2022 were the Captain Cook Chronograph watches – an exciting release for avid Rado fans.
The new Rado Captain Cook chronograph watches
The famed explorer watch has now received a chronograph function for the very first time. Its redesigned proportions house a slimmer movement and arrive in three different colours. A bronze model with a rich blue dial, a steel variant with a blue dial and a steel version with a black dial. All three models retain the classic box shape of the original Captain Cook watches with a boxed sapphire crystal glass that has been treated with anti-reflective technology. Increasing the watch’s functionality are the chronograph sub-dials, placed at 3 and 9 o’clock. These elements are also treated with luminous material as are the main timekeeping hands and the hour markers. During the day, however, they exude a luxurious existence with an indulgent bronze-coloured coating in the reference R32146208 and a silver-coloured finish in the two steel models in blue and black (references R32145208 and R32145158 respectively).
The Rado Captain Cook Chronograph bronze watch stands out from the crowd with its marine blue-coloured dial and its vibrant red rotating anchor at 12 o’clock. The tip of the central second hand is also executed in red and the entire display is framed by a blue high-tech ceramic bezel that can be used to measure elapsed time underwater. Bronze is a particularly popular material to use for the case of a dive watch since it promises exceptional resistance to saltwater and develops its own unique patina over time.
The steel Captain Cook watch with a blue dial is a more classic-looking dive watch with its robust 300-meter water-resistant stainless steel case in a brushed finish. The baton and trapezoid-shaped hour markers glow richly in the dark whilst the 30-minute chronograph sub-dial and small seconds sub-counter at 9 and 3 o’clock add a sense of balance and symmetry across the display. Sitting in between both dials is a date window, dressed against a white background with red numerals that join the other red elements of the watch perfectly. Lastly, the steel model with a black dial is undoubtedly the most versatile of all three models. A black-coloured high-tech ceramic bezel compliments the blackness of the main dial itself whilst a robust stainless steel bracelet and a three-fold clasp secures comfortably to the wrist for wearing day and night.
All three of these new Captain Cook chronograph watches are powered by the Rado R801 automatic movement. It comprises 37 jewels and powers the five hands of each dial with perfect accuracy and precision. The automatic movement also supplies a power reserve of 59 hours and features a Nivachron hairspring, known for its anti-magnetic capabilities.
If you’d like more information on any of the three new Rado Captain Cook Chronograph watches, you can call and speak to a member of our sales team on 01335 453453 here at Jura Watches today.
