The Rado Captain Cook collection has held the key to the hearts of watch enthusiasts ever since the resurgence of the timepiece in Baselworld 2017. And now, in 2022, we’re delighted that the Watches of Switzerland Group has a month-long exclusivity on three of the newest additions to the Rado Captain Cook collection. To mark the occasion, we’re diving into the heritage and story behind the timepieces…
THE FIRST COLLECTION
It was in 1962 that the Swiss luxury watch brand first saw the opportunity to join the diving watch craze. They created a collection that would champion both curiosity and adventure, named it Captain Cook, and immediately captured the public’s imagination. Indeed, it would prove to be one of Rado’s most enduring designs: the signature of the piece a pivoting anchor located below the 12 o’clock marker on the dial that indicated when the watch needed to be serviced. Elsewhere, the watch boasted a curved grey dial, a square magnifying glass for the date window, and a concave inward-sloping outer bezel.
Despite the attractiveness and forward-thinking design, the timepieces were made in limited numbers throughout the decade and stopped altogether in 1968. It seemed the designs were all but forgotten about. Until 2017, that is.
RADO CAPTAIN COOK IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Rado delighted at Baselworld 2017. For the first time since 1968, the Captain Cook was reintroduced to the market in two new designs. One was a vintage, and a rather direct copy of the original, timepiece that replicated even the smallest of details of the original, including the red numerals on the date wheel and spinning anchor in the logo. The other was a larger and much more modern version of the piece. Both caught the horology world completely off-guard, and Rado struck gold.
From green, blue and grey colourways, to dressed in bronze, to a collaboration with Marina Hoermanseder – the Captain Cook collection has grown over the past five years to become one of Rado’s most iconic collections, and enthusiasts simply can’t get enough.
RADO CAPTAIN COOK CHRONOGRAPH – A 2022 VISION
Rado have added three new chronographs to the Captain Cook collection in a brilliant return to the market – and, for the first time as a chronograph, the explorer is updated with exquisite proportions thanks to a unique, slimmer automatic movement. Quite a rarity in this field.
The three pieces are distinct from one another through their shades and strap/bracelet configurations, so the new collection is sure to please even the most demanding enthusiasts. Choose between a brushed bronze case with a blue sunray dial, or a polished steel case with either a silver to blue gradient dial or a silver to black gradient dial.
All, however, are treated with Super-LumiNova for excellent readability even in low light and are water-resistant up to 300m. The date itself is displayed in red against silver, in keeping with former models, and the thin R801 automatic movement with 59 hours of power reserve thanks to a Nivachron anti-magnetic hairspring exceeds standard accuracy test requirements by as much as five positions. You can be confident in this diving watch.
The new Captain Cook Chronograph is delivered with two additional straps in different materials and shades, specific to the model, as to keep the timepiece as versatile and full of character as ever. All additions are presented in a special case inspired by the built-to-last, two-strapped treasure chests of ancient explorers and navigators. The case is in irresistible good taste and uncompromising precision, just as the timepiece itself.
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