Building on the success of its flagship dive watch, as well as its expertise in high-tech ceramic, Rado has released a sleek and stealthy Limited Edition of the Captain Cook. This newest iteration features a blacked out matte case and bracelet fashioned from high-tech ceramic and a skeletonized dial, which offers an unobstructed view of the redesigned R808. Restricted to a mere 1962 pieces (to commemorate the launch year of the Captain Cook), the diver may prove elusive if you wait too long to pick one up.
While the original Captain Cook did not see out the decade in which it was released, Rado engineered a hugely successful reboot of the skin diver in 2017. Since that time, numerous iterations, including a wave of ceramic offerings, have established the collection as a jewel in the Rado crown.
Check out the High Tech Ceramic Skeleton in Blue
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Earlier this year, the brand released the Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton in a plasma grey colourway with rose-gold coloured highlights. However, this Limited Edition is the first full ceramic offering (apart from the case back), right down to its bezel and crown.
While the watch maintains the vintage cues of its predecessors, the technology and materials used to craft the end product are unmistakeably modern—maybe even futuristic.
At the heart of the Limited Edition is the redesigned R808. The calibre has been upgraded aesthetically with a finely sculpted, skeletonized platine, Côtes-de-Genève engraving, and a gold-coloured train bridge to match the movement’s precision and 80-hour of power reserve. The 25-jewel automatic calibre is regulated to 5 positions and also sports a NivachronTM hairspring. All of this is visible through the “sapphire sandwich”—which includes the watch’s smoky box dome crystal.
For the first time, the Limited Edition is equipped with a full- ceramic, 120-click, unidirectional bezel with a laser-etched ceramic insert. When paired with the tinted crystal and matte black ceramic case, it might looks positively covert were it not for the bright, bold numerals and markers in sophisticated contrast.
The dial, itself, is geometric in its minimalism, and the few present elements (handset and markers) have been treated in white Super-LumiNova for an eerie pale blue glow after dark.
Rado’s ceramic monobloc case design measures in at 43mm in diameter and 49.8mm lug to lug. It is 14.6mm thick and has a lug with of 22mm. The only component not crafted from high-tech ceramic is the titanium, PVD-coated case back. Like other members of the Captain Cook Collection, the Limited Edition also has a screw down crown and is water resistant to 300m.
Completing the scheme is a matte black bracelet, also rendered in high-tech ceramic. It employs a titanium deployant clasp equipped with ceramic push-buttons.
SPECS
| Case | Hig-Tech Ceramic Monobloc 43mm Diameter 49.8mm Lug to Lug 14.6mm Thick 22mm Lug Width 120-click Unidirectional Bezel Screw Down Crown & Display Case Back 300m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Box Sapphire Crystal Skeletonized Dial Applied Markers Arrow and Sword Handset Swiss Super-LumiNova |
| Movement | Rado R808 Regulated to 5 Positions 25 Jewels 21 600bph 80-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | Ceramic Bracelet /w Titanium Deployant Strap |
Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Limited Edition
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Of Interest
Rado utilizes a high-grade zirconium oxide powder as the base material for its ceramic components. This material is selected for its exceptional hardness, lightweight nature, and hypoallergenic properties. The powder is carefully compacted under high pressure to achieve the desired shape and density. This step creates a “green” ceramic part with the general form of the final component. The green ceramic form is then subjected to extreme heat at temperatures above 1,400 degrees Celsius in a specialized furnace. This process, known as sintering, allows the ceramic particles to bond and solidify, resulting in a dense and strong ceramic material. After sintering, the ceramic part undergoes a diamond polishing process to achieve a smooth and lustrous surface. Diamond tools are used to precisely shape and refine the component, ensuring its desired dimensions and aesthetics. To enhance the ceramic’s scratch resistance and durability, Rado subjects the polished component to a plasma treatment. Plasma is an ionized gas that is created by applying high-frequency electric fields. The plasma treatment modifies the surface of the ceramic, increasing its hardness and reducing its porosity.
Finally, Rado offers a range of ceramic colours for its watches. If colour is desired, a specific pigmentation process is employed during the powder compaction stage. This allows the ceramic component to have a consistent color throughout its structure.
Quibbles
While the Limited Edition dial is absolutely glamourous, it can be difficult to locate the second hand amidst all those skeletonized components.
Final Thoughts
The technological achievement behind the Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Limited Edition cannot be overstated. Simply having a ceramic screw down crown is a marvel of engineering, let alone a ceramic bezel tube and bezel. Add to this the fact that the watch is anti-shock, anti-magnetic, and water resistant to 300m with a visually stunning, precision movement, and you have a lot of watch on your hands for under $5000USD. Did I mention that it simply looks great, too?
The result of Rado’s high-tech ceramic process is a lightweight, hypoallergenic, and exceptionally durable dive watch that is resistant to scratches, fading, and the effects of everyday wear. Rado’s commitment to innovation and precision in ceramic manufacturing has made it a pioneer in the industry, setting new standards for high-tech ceramic watches. The Limited Edition is a standout.
The Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Limited Edition retails for $4700USD. For more information, please visit the brand website.
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About the author
Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.
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A stealth beauty with some impressive specs to give it a next level desk diver status‼️👍🏽😎
Absolutely
Am lucky to be a new owner of one of these unique pieces! Crazy watch! Just one other quibble to mention, as a diver myself, there is no lume on the bezel at all! Not even at the 12 0 clock marker!