by Brent Robillard
Modern Materials Meet Vintage Muscle
The RADO Captain Cook has long held a unique place in the dive watch pantheon. With roots in a 1960s original that balanced style and adventure, the line has evolved since its reintroduction and enjoyed a particularly compelling renaissance. Now, with the Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Automatic Chronograph (Ref. R32190153), RADO pushes the envelope even further. This is a watch that doesn’t just nod to its past—it propels it into the future.
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Key Features of the RADO High-Tech Ceramic Chronograph
Case and Materials: Ceramic Powerplay
Let’s start with the star of the show: the high-tech ceramic case. At 43mm in diameter and just over 16mm thick, the watch has real wrist presence—but thanks to the monobloc construction and the lightness of ceramic, it wears with surprising comfort. The case combines matte black ceramic with contrasting polished elements, giving the watch a stealthy but upscale feel that’s hard to ignore. RADO’s mastery of ceramic isn’t just about scratch resistance; it’s about tactility and visual depth, and this model delivers both.
Kicking it up a notch is the rose gold PVD and ceramic bezel; topped with a high-gloss black ceramic insert and dive scale, it adds a dynamic layer to the silhouette. It’s unidirectional, of course, and rotates with a pleasing, firm click. Paired with the prominent box-shaped sapphire crystal, the watch feels unapologetically modern—and yet, with that the stadium tilt the spirit of mid-century RADO is still present.
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Dial and Design
There’s something quietly magnetic about the way this version of the Captain Cook Chronograph carries itself. The black and rose-tone ceramic configuration doesn’t chase attention, but it doesn’t shy away from it either. It walks a line—equal parts vintage diver and modern metro—and it walks it well. The matte ceramic case and outer bracelet links give it a muted, technical edge, while the polished ceramic bezel insert and gleaming rose-gold-tone accents inject just the right amount of urban gloss. The centre links on the bracelet mirror that polished bezel, catching the light with a smooth confidence, while the titanium butterfly clasp ensures the wearing experience remains light, balanced, and quietly luxurious.
There’s a tactile softness to the case and bracelet — one of those rare qualities that doesn’t come through in photos. Ceramic here isn’t just about scratch resistance or cutting-edge materials; it’s about feel. It’s warm against the skin, almost silky, and deceptively light for a watch with this kind of visual heft.
Then there’s the dial—arguably one of the most refined we’ve seen in a ceramic sports chronograph at this price point. The sunray black finish plays subtly in changing light, giving a quiet texture beneath the broad, lume-filled hands and crisp applied indexes—all rendered in a rose-gold-tone that leans rich without feeling overstyled. The Super-LumiNova application is strong and even, ensuring real-world legibility isn’t sacrificed in the name of aesthetics.
A red-tipped trio of chronograph hands—hours, minutes, and central seconds—cut through the composition with surgical clarity, giving the dial its energy without disrupting its calm. And yes, that chrono hour counter is new to the Captain Cook line—a thoughtful addition that expands the watch’s timing capability without cluttering the experience.
RADO’s rotating anchor emblem at 12 o’clock, mounted on a synthetic ruby, is still one of the brand’s most charming quirks — a mechanical wink that reminds you this isn’t just a sharp-looking object; it’s a serious piece of horology. The trapezoidal date window at 6 o’clock, neatly matched to the geometry of the indexes, helps maintain visual symmetry without feeling like an afterthought. Around the edge, a crisp minute track gives the eye something to follow, framed by a deliberately minimalist bezel that keeps the visual noise low.
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Movement
Inside ticks the RADO Calibre R801, based on the tried-and-true ETA A31—a modified version of the ETA 2894. Onto this RADO have placed a Dubois Dépraz chronograph module. It offers automatic winding, chronograph functionality, a Nivachron hairspring, and a solid 59-hour power reserve. That calibre, visible through the exhibition case back, is industrially finished but handsome enough, with a custom rotor and Geneva stripes visible through the sapphire back.
On the Wrist: A Balanced Brute
Despite its size, the Captain Cook Chronograph feels balanced on the wrist. The ceramic bracelet—complete with a titanium folding clasp and ceramic pushers—matches the case in finish and style, and conforms nicely to the wrist. It’s secure, solid, and surprisingly light.
This is a watch that feels ready for anything: rugged enough for the sea, but refined enough for a night out. It’s less “desk diver” and more “space-age submarine commander.”
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SPECS
| Case | High-Tech Ceramic/Rose Gold PVD 43mm Diameter 49.8mm Lug to Lug 16.2mm Thick 22mm Lug Width Unidirectional Bezel Screw Down Case Back & Crown 300m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Sapphire Crystal Black Dial Applied Indexes Broad Arrow Handset Super-LumiNova |
| Movement | R801 Adjusted to Five Positions 37 Jewels 28 800bph 59-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | Ceramic Bracelet /w Titanium Folding Clasp |
RADO Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Automatic Chronograph
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Final Thoughts: The Future of Retro
With the Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Chronograph, RADO has taken a beloved vintage design and infused it with modern materials and engineering. The result is a watch that wears its heritage with pride but refuses to be confined by it. It’s a watch that speaks to RADO’s dual identity as both a historical brand and a leader in material innovation. Taken as a whole, the R32190153 is less a statement piece and more a style philosophy—a ceramic chronograph that prioritizes balance over bravado. It’s this restraint, paired with material fluency, that lets it flex in multiple environments: from mountain trails to city streets, boardrooms to backyards.
If you’ve always liked the idea of a ceramic chronograph but wanted one with real character, the Ref. R32190153 just might be your perfect match.
Pricing & Availability
The RADO Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Automatic Chronograph retails for $6250 USD ($8600 CAD). For more information, keep your eye on the brand website.
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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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