Rado introduces their popular Captain Cook Automatic model in a bronze case, with high tech ceramic bezels. Three colours are available – green, blue and brown.
Press Release with commentary in italics
The Bronze Captain Cook from Rado was first announced in February with two models- the blue and brown. These models have just reached our shores and stores, and Rado included a stunning green model in addition. Now in the Rado Wisma Atria and Marina Bay Sands Boutiques.
We reviewed the base stainless steel model of the Captain Cook Automatic here:
Rado Captain Cook Bronze Automatic
A flawless physique and looks that can drive others to distraction. The new Rado Captain Cook in bronze and high-tech ceramic lives up to its billing. This is a strong look in a muscular watch, created by combining the oldest man-made material with a modern materials marvel. This is where our passion lies, where we do our best work – and you can feel it!
The Captain Cook’s striking good looks come from the lush green and earthy bronze tones. These are colours from nature that bring out the best in each other and make each other ‘pop’. It’s a winning combination that is designed to stand the test of time and transcend trends.
Its perfectly toned body is a combination of a bronze case, box-shaped sapphire crystal, bronze bezel with high-tech ceramic insert and a titanium case back with sapphire crystal. The dark green leather strap offers the perfect finish for such a handsome specimen.
The use of a bronze case is rather interesting for Rado, who is well known to pioneer ceramic cases and high tech materials, which retain their physical aesthetics over time. In bronze, Rado is using a material which changes its appearance over time, developing a patina which is unique to the life it has had. See our article on bronze watches and the patina development here.
For the Captain Cook bronze watches, Rado plates the case with a very fine 3 micron layer of 23k gold. This is to avoid patination of the watch from the time it is produced to the time it reaches the collector’s wrist. This plating will disappear with wear and tear over time, and the unique patina of the owner’s use will replace it.
Rado comments that in rare cases, bronze watches which repeatedly come into contact with the elements can develop a greenish appearance. This can be cleaned at a Rado Service Centre. And Rado suggest that the watch be exposed to water as little as possible and dried with a soft cloth when wet. This is rather interesting because bronze is often the choice of diving gear in the early times.
The Captain Cook’s smooth operation is balanced by its impressive stamina. Both are provided by the high-quality, Swiss made ETA C07 movement, which offers up to 80 hours of precision power before it needs to be worn or wound.
The ETA C07 is a development over the workhorse ETA 2824-2 by with a revised movement train, a lower 21,600 bph. This results in the C07 having an increased power reserve of 80 hours. The C07 was also used in the SS model released in 2018.
Ancient and modern, vintage and contemporary, traditional and innovative, enduring and evolving: the Rado Captain Cook Bronze is a watch of contrasts. Designed to look good for life, it is a legend in its own lifetime. With this bronze and green beauty, you can’t just see the Rado difference. You can feel it!
We have requested for a review loaner to evaluate the watch, and will report back with our detailed hands-on review when that happens.
Rado Captain Cook Bronze Automatic Specifications
Ref. 763.0504.3.131 / Ref. 763.0504.3.120 / Ref. 763.0504.3.230
Movement ETA C07, automatic, 25 jewels, 3 hands, date at 3 o’clock, up to 80 hours power reserve
Case brushed bronze (CuAl) casebronze (CuAl) turning bezel with polished green / blue / brown high-tech ceramic insert with laser engraved/metallised numbers and markers circular brushed titanium screw-down case back with 3 stamped
seahorses polished bronze (CuAl) screw-down crown box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides water-resistant to 30 bar (300m)
Dial green / blue / brown, sunray yellow applied indexes with vintage look coloured Super-LumiNova® gold coloured moving anchor symbol with synthetic ruby backplate white printed Rado and Captain Cook logos, 300m/1000ft
Hands gold coloured with vintage look white Super-LumiNova® Strap green leather brushed bronze (CuAl) pin buckle Easy Clip system
Dimensions 42.0 x 48.6 x 12.5 (WxLxH in mm)
