Since 2017, Rado has found a spot in the market for cool, vintage-oriented dive watches with its successful Captain Cook model. Largely associated with the use of high-tech ceramics, Rado also benefits from a rich history, and several emblematic watches from the past have been reintroduced. Inspired by a 1962 piece with a distinctive case/bezel design, the Captain Cook has been released in multiple iterations, such as compact 37mm limited editions and, more recently, some enlarged yet very appealing bronze versions. In addition to the green, grey/brown and blue models, today Rado launches a new and striking version: the Captain Cook Bronze Burgundy.
As explained in this article on the previous Captain Cook Bronze watches, this watch is inspired by a glorious and quite conspicuous watch produced by the brand during the golden age of the dive watch. This watch was released in 1962 with a 37mm case and named after the British explorer, Captain Cook. While technically classic (automatic movement, 220m water-resistance, time-and-date display, 60-min diving bezel), the design really sets this model apart. It featured an original combination of curved shapes, with a bowl-shaped, concave inward-sloping bezel with a domed crystal and a domed dial. The dial stood out with its brushed grey surface, large painted indexes and arrow-shaped minute hand. Finally, a small detail of importance, there was a rotating anchor logo positioned at 12 o’clock – a sort of pendulum to animate the dial.
All of these elements were brought back to life in 2017 with the first re-edition of the Rado Captain Cook, and in all subsequent watches in the collection. Earlier this year, Rado introduced its retro-styled diver in an appealing and trendy sub-collection composed of three bronze models with colourful dials and bezel – the latter executed in ceramic, of course. For the end of the year, a new version with a striking golden bronze case and burgundy dial and bezel joins the collection.
The three existing models, in blue, green or grey/brown, were rather subtle in terms of colour. While the previous models played mostly on cold, dark colours, the new burgundy edition is certainly the most remarkable of the four editions bringing brightness and warmth to the composition. Moreover, the combination of burgundy red with the golden tones of the bronze case and dial is rather cool and original. Note that the case will inevitably gain patina over time and will turn into a darker colour, thus making this watch a bit more discreet.
To add the final touch to this striking colour scheme, Rado equips its Captain Cook Bronze Burgundy with a matching textile NATO strap, in burgundy with a gold-coloured central stripe. The buckle and loops are executed in brushed bronze.
Other than the new brushed dial and ceramic bezel in red, the Captain Cook Bronze Burgundy retains identical specifications. The case, in CuAl bronze alloy (more stable than traditional bronze alloys), measures 42mm in diameter and 12.5mm in height. Its surfaces are mostly brushed with sharp edges that contrast with the curved shapes of the dial and bezel. It is equipped with a solid titanium caseback, and the watch is water-resistant to 300m.
Apart from its colour, the dial is the same as all Captain Cook watches with its sunray-brushed finishing, which combined with the domed profile adds a great sense of depth. The hands and applied indexes are golden, and the date wheel now features red numerals. The hallmark rotating ‘pendulum’ anchor symbol with its synthetic ruby backplate moves according to the wearer’s wrist movements.
Powering this watch is the calibre ETA C07, also known as Powermatic in other Swatch Group brands. This evolution of the ETA 2824-2 is meant to become the new standard engine of the Group and to offer a serious competitive advantage in this highly competitive price range. Thanks to a reworked kinetic chain and a lower frequency of 3Hz, the power reserve is boosted to 80 hours – that’s equivalent to over 3 days, when most watches in this range boast less than 40 hours of power reserve.
The new Rado Captain Cook Bronze Burgundy Automatic is launched as part of the permanent collection and will be priced at CHF 2,600 (same price as other bronze models). More details at www.rado.com.