New: Rado Captain Cook, now in full ceramic

Rado releases a new Captain Cook, in ceramic, as an extension to the High-Tech Ceramic Edition released in 2021.

Here is the press release details with our commentary in italics.

New: Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Limited Edition

The retail price for the new Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Limited Edition Ref. R32147162 is SGD 7,050 inclusive of GST. Limited Edition of 1962 units.

Commentary

The Captain Cook collection from Rado is one of the mainstays of the maison. We have covered the line several times over the years, and remain very enthusiastic.

• Rado Captain Cook Hyperchrome in 2017
• the base Captain Cook Automatic in 2019
• Captain Cook Bronze in 2020
• Captain Cook Over the Pole in 2022

Though the Rado literature for this release says that this is the first time the Captain Cook is released in full ceramic, this is not exactly the case. In 2021, they released 4 variants in full ceramic, also in 43mm case size with an open worked dial. Rado is, of course one of the pioneers in the use of ceramics in watches.

The only difference between this 2023 novelty and the 2021 appears to be the movement, and the bezel, which is now in full ceramic, instead of a ceramic insert on a steel bezel. Apart from that, the differences appears to be cosmetic changes like gold plating on some elements, and the use of a dark sapphire glass.

The release notes also goes to point out that though this watch, (like the 2021 releaases) is described as full ceramic, the case back is in titanium with a display sapphire crystal window..

The movement is a new caliber R808, which is an improvement over the R734 which is based on the ETA C07.611 with a Nivachron hairspring and 80 hours of power reserve. The new caliber looks very similar, but appears to have different bridges and plates. The decorations applied is also different and features gilt elements and Geneva stripes. We also note that the R808 is tested to 5 positions instead of 3 for the R734.

Also the pricing has increased from CHF 3.8k for the 2021 High Tech Ceramic to CHF 4.65k for this novelty.

Release details

For the first time in full ceramic, apart from the case back, the latest and most innovative Captain Cook yet makes a remarkable entry, with space-age materials throughout and, of course, tasteful stylistic reminders of its proud tradition. Inside, a brand-new automatic movement is sure to tease the heart of true watch lovers, with its finely sculpted, skeletonized platine and exquisite geometry, visual features absolutely matched by the movement’s exceptional precision and 80 hours of power reserve. These workings were specially crafted for this Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Limited Edition, with a production run of only 1962 units.

From its inception, the Captain Cook line was associated with strong character and uncompromising innovation in both design and materials. The latest in the series again breaks new ground, with a full- ceramic rotating bezel sporting a black, laser-etched ceramic insert with bright, bold numbers and markers in stylish relief. Next to the matt-black high-tech ceramic case and its slightly smoky sapphire dial surface, the design shows that uncompromising character so much in keeping with well-known, recognizable Captain Cook tradition.

The watch lover’s eye is immediately captured. The visual composition is rhythmic and strong, between the bezel markers, numerals, and the dial’s large indices behind the box-shaped sapphire crystal so typical of the Captain Cook. The hour and minute hands, visible even in low-light conditions thanks to the Super- LumiNova® treatment and their broad, almost playful shapes, carry the theme onward, for this exquisite timepiece with zero compromise, anywhere. The original Captain Cook has come of age, with the best of its strong visual tradition enhanced by Rado’s Art of Ceramic and truly cutting-edge technology.

Rado’s ingenious use of a monobloc design allows for a thinner case than one would have predicted, in such a virile timepiece. Inside, a three-hand, 25-jewel, state-of-the-art R808 movement exceeds standard accuracy test requirements from 3 to 5 positions, thanks to its antimagnetic NivachronTM hairspring and uncompromising Rado production technics. The smoky crystal atmosphere carries over into the PVD- treated titanium case back and its black-tinted sapphire crystal window, allowing a treasured glimpse into the exquisite movement’s airy, open, horizontal platine design and its Côtes-de-Genève engraving, as well as the yellow-finished train bridge. Everywhere in the visual design of the new Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Limited Edition, one finds subtle, tasteful contrasts and accents, signs of a product line that has now fully matured. Rarely does a timepiece bring together to such an extent, modern materials technology and the finest in the timepiece designer’s art, visible down into the smallest detail. Here, even the automatic movement’s oscillating weight echoes the shape of the famous Rado anchor, something that real connoisseurs are sure to notice. Beautifully rounding out the design is a matt-black bracelet in high-tech ceramic, with a titanium triple-fold clasp equipped with ceramic push-buttons. Maturity in the watchmaker’s art, from the Master of Materials.

Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Limited Edition specifications

Ref. R32147162

Movement

Rado calibre R808, automatic, 25 jewels, 3 hands, 80-hour power reserve, antimagnetic NivachronTM hairspring, exceeds standard test requirements from 3 to 5 positions for higher accuracy

Case

Matt black high-tech ceramic case, monobloc construction
High-tech ceramic turning bezel with a laser structured black high-tech ceramic insert with relief numbers and markers, triangle in matt metallised yellow gold coloured Circular brushed, black PVD coated titanium case back with black-tinted sapphire crystal Black high-tech ceramic screw-down crown
Box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both faces
Water-resistant to 30 bar (300m)
Special engraving on case back: LIMITED EDITION N° XXX/1962

Dial

Black, slightly black-tinted sapphire crystal
Brushed, yellow gold coloured applied indexes with black Super-LumiNova®, blue light Brushed, yellow gold coloured moving anchor symbol with synthetic ruby backplate Yellow gold coloured printed Rado and Captain Cook logos mention of 300m / 1000ft

Hands

Brushed, yellow with black Super-LumiNova®, blue light

Bracelet

Matt black high-tech ceramic
Titanium 3-fold clasp with black high-tech ceramic openers

Dimensions 

43.0 x 49.8 x 14.6 (WxLxH in mm)