By Tyler Frederick
Old world travel
I’ll start this with a few words of advice. If you decide to get into reviewing watches–fair warning–you’ll fall in love with things you weren’t expecting, and sending them back can sting sometimes. On a more positive note, it’s always fun to experience different watches and to find things you never knew existed, especially if you already have a firm idea of what a brand carries. I’ve been a fan of Rado since getting into watches, and I’ve been lucky enough to check out some of my favourites via the Rado DiaStar and Captain Cook models. I thought I had seen it all until I saw this beautiful, vintage-inspired travel watch with its silver dial dancing in the light. I was hooked immediately, leading to what I’m talking about today: the Rado Captain Cook Over-Pole.
Key Features of the RADO Captain Cook Over-Pole Worldtimer
I’ve liked many watches from the Rado catalogue, but the Over-Pole struck a chord with me for multiple reasons: the vintage aesthetic, the sizing, the design, and how it feels on the wrist. I’ll be honest…the Over-Pole is the closest I’ve come to finding a “perfect” watch that caters to my tastes, and that’s saying something. It’s a watch I’ve been enamoured with since it first caught my eye, and having it on my wrist is another level. I know I reach for the “making your inner child happy” bit quite often, but I think that’s what a watch should do, and if I don’t feel that, then it’s not for me. Lemme tell ya, the Over-Pole made that kid pretty damn happy. I may or may not have missed essential parts of a few conversations due to staring at my wrist.
I could tell the Over-Pole would feel fantastic to wear, and I was right. Sporting a 37mm case with a 43mm lug-to-lug and 10.3mm thickness, the watch is compact, cozy and feels great sitting on my 6.75” wrist. It’s a watch that may be compact but has an outstanding amount of wrist presence. You know what they say: big things come in small packages, and the Over-Pole is a great example. While the watch does come with a bracelet, the colder months approaching encouraged me to keep it on the leather, and that was a great call. The 20mm leather strap is supple and comfortable, and it’s safe to say the watch will look great on a bracelet, rubber/tropic or mesh for the warmer months; it gives the vibe of being a strap monster.
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The design of the Over-Pole is an almost perfect recreation of the original from 1962. The case size, lug and case shape, bezel, indices, numerals, and dial font are the same. Rado created the epitome of a vintage issue done right. The only differences are the updated Rado logo, the updated font in the bezel insert, and the implementation of a silver dial with a black “sunburst.” When it comes to reissues, sometimes a close-to-exact rebirth of a classic is the way to go, especially when you see results like the Over-Pole.
Specs
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel 37mm Diameter 43.5mm Lug to Lug 10.3mm Thick 20mm Lug Width Screw Down Crown & Case Back 48-Click Bidirectional Bezel 100m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Domed Sapphire Crystal Silver/Black Sunburst Dial Applied Markers Dauphine Handset Super-LumiNova |
| Movement | RADO 862 Hand-winding 17 Jewels 21 600bph 80-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | Leather Strap or Stainless Steel Bracelet |
RADO Captain Cook Over-Pole Worldtimer
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Quibbles
As much as I love the Over-Pole, one thing stands out: the dial colour itself. While I appreciate the beauty of a sunburst dial, something throws me off, and I think it’s the colour shift from silver to black. I think Rado should have implemented a regular silver dial and stayed true to the original Over-Pole entirely, but this is a minor “quibble.” I still think it’s a great-looking colour, but it could be better without the black sunburst.
Final Thoughts
My thoughts on the Rado Captain Cook Over-Pole Worldtimer? It was love at first sight, and after experiencing it, that love has grown. It’s so much watch for the money, retailing for around $2,500 USD ($3,400 CAD); I can’t say enough good things about it. It’s a watch that caught me by surprise and one that will, no doubt, enter my collection at some point. As always, thank our friends at Gem Bijou for allowing me to get up close and personal with the Over-Pole.
About the author
Born into a family obsessed with motorsport, Tyler Frederick became enamoured with speed and beautiful cars at a young age. His love of Formula 1–and all things mechanical–eventually lead him to horology. You can follow him on Instagram.
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