by Brent Robillard

The depths of summer

I’ve had the pleasure of spending time with more than a few Rado watches over the past couple of years. The Anatom has been a personal favourite in my collection, and I’ve taken the Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic diving—an experience that deepened my appreciation for the brand’s blend of modern materials and purposeful design. I’ve also spoken with CEO Adrian Bosshard about Rado’s direction (our conversation is still up on YouTube), and here on The Calibrated Wrist we’ve covered nearly every iteration of the Captain Cook, from the ceramic chronograph to the limited-edition tennis model. But until now, only one version of the Captain Cook existed in 39mm: that tennis edition.

The new Captain Cook “Ocean Ready” models—two stainless steel watches at 39mm—feel like the moment a long-requested sweet spot has arrived. Sized between the vintage-inspired 37mm and the bolder 42mm (and sometimes 43mm in ceramic), these watches balance presence and wearability in a way that feels natural, even effortless, on wrist.

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Key Features of the Rado Captain Cook 39mm Ocean Ready

A tale of two oceans

Rado calls them ocean ready, and the name fits. The first model is all summer ease: a dial that fades from white to light blue, matched with a ceramic bezel in the same spectrum. It’s the first time Rado has explored this colour gradient, and it instantly recalls those moments when the horizon disappears into shallow, sunlit waters. Wearing it, I was reminded of lazy afternoons by the coast—cocktail in hand, the air heavy with salt and warmth. It whispers of holidays, of carefree hours where time isn’t so much measured as it is lived.

The second model is altogether moodier: a black-to-turquoise dial with a black ceramic bezel. It’s more dramatic, more enigmatic, and conjures the depths rather than the shallows. Think night dives, glacial lake swimming, or the glint of deep-sea fish in unfamiliar waters. On wrist, it feels like a reminder that the ocean is not just playful—it’s powerful.

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Comfort in the details

One of the things I’ve always appreciated about the Captain Cook line is how wearable it is, even as a diver. These 39mm models come in at just 12mm in height, which makes them particularly slim for a watch rated to 300 metres. That water resistance means they’re as practical as they are evocative—you can jump from poolside drinks to a jet ski ride without a second thought.

The bracelet deserves mention, too. Its vintage beads-of-rice design has always been part of the Captain Cook’s appeal, and here it feels especially refined. The polished links catch the light like droplets of water, lending the watch a fluid, almost organic presence. Combined with the slim clasp, the whole package melts into the wrist—exactly what you want from a watch designed to accompany you through hours of sun and salt.

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Reliability Beneath the Surface

Inside ticks the Rado calibre R763, with its 80-hour power reserve and Nivachron™ hairspring. It’s a movement built with dependability in mind—antimagnetic, robust, and accurate—qualities that matter whether you’re timing a dive or just ensuring your watch is still running come Monday morning.

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The bezels aren’t just functional but detailed with care. On the black/turquoise model, the markings glow white and blue with Super-LumiNova®. On the lighter model, the bezel’s numerals shimmer in metallised silver. Both are subtle touches, but they reinforce Rado’s reputation as the “Master of Materials.”

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Specs

Case	316L Stainless Steel 39mm Diameter 45.5mm Lug to Lug 12mm Thick 20mm Lug Width Screw Down Crown & Case Back 300m Water Resistance
Dial & Crystal	Double-Domed Sapphire Crystal Fumé Dials Applied Indices Sword and Arrow Hands Super-LumiNova®
Movement	Rado R763 25 Jewels 21 600bph 80-Hour Power Reserve
Strap	Stainless Steel Beads-of-Rice

Rado Captain Cook 39mm Ocean Ready

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Final Thoughts

With the Captain Cook 39mm Ocean Ready, Rado has delivered more than just two new colourways—they’ve expanded the Captain Cook into a size that feels destined to be a cornerstone of the collection. The light blue model is pure joy, a summer watch through and through, while the black/turquoise piece is a reminder of the ocean’s mystery and depth.

For me, what makes them compelling is that they capture two sides of the same story: the carefree and the profound, the surface and the abyss. And they do it in a package that’s versatile, comfortable, and genuinely practical.

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Rado has been building on the Captain Cook’s success for years, and this release proves they’re still listening to enthusiasts. A 39mm diver with real character and technical chops? That’s exactly the kind of watch I want on my wrist—whether it’s poolside, dockside, or somewhere in between.

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Pricing & Availability

The Rado Captain Cook 39mm “Ocean Ready” is available now through Rado boutiques, authorised retailers, and online. Both the white-to-light blue and black-to-turquoise versions are priced at $2 450 USD / $3 300 CAD.

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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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