by Brent Robillard
Game, Set, Match: Rado’s Captain Cook Serves a Perfect Ace
Some watches feel right at home courtside—and this year, Rado’s latest release doesn’t just celebrate the game, it embodies it. In honour of 40 years since the brand first stepped onto the professional tennis stage, the new Rado Captain Cook x Tennis Limited Edition is a love letter to the sport—and to the enduring partnership between Rado and tennis.
As the Official Timekeeper of the Mubadala Citi DC Open and a fixture across ATP and WTA tournaments worldwide, Rado has been synonymous with precision and style in tennis since 1985. The Captain Cook x Tennis Limited Edition, launched to mark this milestone, doesn’t just nod to Rado’s history; it’s a full-on celebration of four decades of shared values—strategy, precision, and the relentless pursuit of perfection.
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Key Features of the Rado Captain Cook x Tennis
Court-Inspired Details from Crown to Clasp
The first thing that strikes you is the ruthenium-to-white gradient dial, a subtle shift in tone that mimics the tension of a rally—from calm beginnings to explosive finishes. Look closer and you’ll catch the dark yellow Super-LumiNova dots at 3, 6, 8, and 12 o’clock—positions cleverly mirroring tennis scoring: 15, 30, 40, game. The playful touch adds an insider wink without compromising the Captain Cook’s clean, classic lines.
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Then there’s the rotating bezel, finished in circular-brushed plasma high-tech ceramic with white lacquered markers, topped off by a luminous triangle for quick timing. The bezel feels crisp, precise, and perfectly weighted—everything you’d want whether you’re timing your next set or your morning coffee.
Flip it over, and the screw-down case back is a showstopper on its own: engraved “LIMITED EDITION, ONE OUT OF 1985” alongside embossed structures of grass, clay, and hard courts—a tactile tribute to the surfaces that have defined champions.
Adaptability Worthy of a Grand Slam Champion
At 39mm across and 12mm thick, the Captain Cook x Tennis Limited Edition sits perfectly balanced on the wrist, sporty without veering into oversized territory. Thanks to the EasyClip system, swapping straps is faster than a changeover: in seconds, you can go from the brushed stainless steel “rice grain” bracelet to any of the three included NATO-style straps—blue and white, green and white, or orange and white—each evoking different facets of the tennis world, from the bright hard courts of Melbourne to the iconic green of Wimbledon.
A Movement That Goes the Distance
Inside beats the Rado calibre R763, an automatic movement with an 80-hour power reserve and antimagnetic Nivachron™ hairspring—features that are both forward-thinking and faithful to Rado’s reputation as the Master of Materials. The movement exceeds COSC-level standards in 3 to 5 positions for superior accuracy, proof that this isn’t just a watch that looks good; it performs to championship standards.
Finishing Touches
Rhodium-coloured indices and hands glow bright white with Super-LumiNova®, ensuring legibility even under the bright lights of a night match. A box-shaped sapphire crystal, anti-reflective on both sides, tops it all off with a crystal-clear view from every angle. And with 30 bar (300 metres) of water resistance, the Captain Cook x Tennis is as ready for a post-match swim as it is for a long day in the stands.
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SPECS
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel Gold PVD 39mm Diameter 49.8mm Lug to Lug 12mm Thick 20mm Lug Width Unidirectional Bezel Screw Down Case Back & Crown 300m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Domed Sapphire Crystal Gradient Dial Applied Indexes Broad Arrow & Sword Handset Super-LumiNova |
| Movement | R763 25 Jewels 21 600bph 80-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | 3 Fabric NATOs, and BOR Bracelet |
RADO Captain Cook x Tennis
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Final Thoughts
The Rado Captain Cook x Tennis Limited Edition isn’t just a commemorative release; it’s a wearable story of Rado’s four decades of passion for tennis. Limited to 1,985 pieces—a nod to the year it all began—this watch strikes a perfect balance between sporty resilience and timeless design, ensuring it won’t just mark time but also moments of greatness.
Game, set, match—Rado wins again.
Pricing & Availability
The RADO Captain Cook x Tennis Limited Edition retails for $2800 USD ($3800 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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Truly looks like a ‘master of materials’ – perhaps if I just have this iconic – and gorgeous- watch on my wrist I could play tennis? Well, probably not. But, gosh it sure does beckon – makes quite a …..Racket.😉