by Brent Robillard
There’s a certain magic to the Captain Cook collection. Maybe it’s the sloped bezels and domed crystals, the taut case geometry, or the vintage bones cleverly hiding under layers of modern finish. I’ve worn a fair few—everything from high-tech ceramic models to two-tone variants to the new ceramic chronographs—and I even took one wreck diving in Georgian Bay. But for me, the RADO Captain Cook Over-Pole has always stood a little taller in the lineup. And this new limited edition? It might just be the best one yet.
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Key Features of the RADO Captain Cook Over-Pole Limited Edition
A Golden Reissue with Purpose
The Captain Cook Over-Pole Limited Edition (Ref. R32193018) isn’t so much a reissue as it is a revival—with purpose, poise, and a little punch of flair. Cased in 39mm of yellow gold PVD stainless steel, the watch nods directly to the gold-plated models of the early 1960s. Like its historical predecessor, the new Over-Pole features an inward-sloping city bezel in lieu of a dive scale, lending it a world-time functionality without the need for an extra hand. Just line up the city with the hour on the 24-hour scale and—boom—you’re tracking time abroad, no app needed.
Where some world timers shout about their globetrotting abilities, this one does it with a mid-century whisper.
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Back to the Start: The 1962 Original
To really understand why this watch matters, let’s go back. The original RADO Over-Pole was born around 1962, dressed in a 35mm case with the familiar sloped Captain Cook bezel—though the dive scale was swapped out for a travel-oriented city ring even then. Powered by the reliable AS1701 automatic movement, it offered a very un-1960s water resistance, then advertised as, “100% waterproof.” That made it something of a unicorn: a world timer tough enough for the deep sea but dressed for the airport lounge. RADO, in its wisdom, blended practicality with jet-age aspiration. The result? A beast in a sharply pressed suit.
And that DNA is alive and well in the new limited edition.
Design Details That Matter
From the moment you strap it on, the Over-Pole plays with your expectations. The gold PVD case gives it vintage gravitas, but the silvered dial with sunburst brushing feels fresh and clean. The rotating bezel is still done in stainless steel with engraved, lacquer-filled city names, and it clicks crisply with purpose.
Inside, the RADO calibre R862 ticks away at 3 Hz (21,600 vph) with an 80-hour power reserve. This movement—based on the ETA C07.611—boasts a Nivachron™ hairspring, offering resistance to magnetism that suits the 21st-century traveller just as much as the original suited the 20th.
You can also view the calibre in all its glory through the open case back.
Comfort & Wearability
At 39mm across and under 12mm thick, the Over-Pole wears with all the comfort of its Captain Cook siblings. It’s paired with a textured brown leather strap with cream contrast stitching—a colour combo that makes the gold case sing without tipping into flashiness. It still has the short, twisted lugs and classic proportions that made the 1960s original such a looker, but now it feels more refined, more grown-up. Vintage charm without the quirks. But if I’m honest, this would live on the BOR bracelet if it belonged to me. Even though it doesn’t have a comfort-adjust system–or even any micro-adjust, for that matter–it just feels right.
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Limited, But Not Overdone
This is a limited edition, yes, but it doesn’t scream it. The engraving on the caseback confirms your piece is one of just 1,962 units—a nod, of course, to the year of the original’s debut. It’s a watch for those who know, who appreciate the heritage but want a piece of it that fits modern life.
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SPECS
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel Gold PVD 39mm Diameter 49.8mm Lug to Lug 10.9mm Thick 20mm Lug Width Biidirectional City Bezel Screw Down Case Back & Crown 100m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Sapphire Crystal Sunray Dial Applied Indexes Dauphine Handset Super-LumiNova |
| Movement | R862 17 Jewels 21 600bph 80-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | Leather Strap, or PVD Gold BOR Bracelet |
RADO Captain Cook Over-Pole Limited Edition
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Final Thoughts
In the vast field of heritage reissues, the RADO Captain Cook Over-Pole Limited Edition distinguishes itself by being more than just a pretty face with a logo from the archives. It revives one of RADO’s most fascinating footnotes—a world-time dive-ready watch from an era of bold experimentation—and brings it forward with just the right mix of reverence and evolution.
After handling dozens of RADO watches over the years, this one feels special. It doesn’t just borrow a legacy; it extends it. And for me, as someone who has admired and worn the Captain Cook in many of its guises, this is the one that best captures the spirit of exploration and adventure that made the original such a standout.
This isn’t just a watch you wear—it’s a story you carry on your wrist.
Pricing & Availability
The RADO Captain Cook Over-Pole Limited Edition retails for $3280 USD ($4000 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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Brilliant description Gorgeous shots Fabulous Watch – stunning ‘infinity’ on the hour hands – SHARP – all around.