Rado Captain Cook: ceramic diving watches, full steam ahead!
Ever since it was founded in 1917, Rado has been a master of high-tech ceramic. Today, the maison adds to its iconic Captain Cook collection, with six new variations that combine the latest innovations from the watchmaking manufacture. On set with Frank Sans C, our “tick-tock fanatic”, these watches reveal their secrets.
Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Diver, the art of ceramic
Dubbed the Master of Materials from its foundation, the Rado manufacture never ceases to innovate in ceramic research and development. A testament to its savoir-faire and standing, this noble material boasts some remarkable qualities: lightweight, wear resistant, hypoallergenic and soft to the touch.
Alternating polished and satined surfaces, the watches above, with their grey or blue sun-brushed dials, are made of a high-tech ceramic named “plasma”. This technique involves placing the cases in a special plasma oven, at extremely high temperatures averaging 20,000 degrees Celsius. The components, starting off white, then take on a permanent metallic finish, without containing a single metal. The results are quite mind-blowing.
Meanwhile, the other models are crafted from “regular” high-tech ceramic, which undergoes the sintering process at around 1,450 degrees Celsius. In addition, Rado makes a foray into colour. The maison offers a ceramic version in olive green, making a great impression. It is available on a high-tech ceramic bracelet or a rubber strap that accentuates its sporty look.
There is also a striking black ceramic version. High tech? Yes. High performance? Undoubtedly.The Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Diver is also a bona fide diving watch. Let us explain.
Ready to dive
With their 43mm diameter, all the models comply with the strict specifications of norm ISO 6425. This certification guarantees them to be qualified diving instruments.
The six versions boast water resistance up to 300 meters, rotating bezel, screw-down crown, hands and indices coated in luminescent material, for optimal visibility in the dark. They accommodate a power reserve lasting up to approximately 80 hours and are powered by a high-precision, Swiss-manufactured automatic movement, with an anti-magnetic Nivachron™ balance spring.
Price: from €3,360
See our technical specifications for the Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Limited Edition.
Arriving on set: Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Limited Edition
Limited to just 1,962 pieces – a reminder of the launch date of the Captain Cook collection – the High-Tech Ceramic Limited Edition could have been considered 100% ceramic. However, its caseback happens to be made from titanium. Let’s not split hairs, though. Instead, let’s sing the praises of this sleek instrument. Its 43mm black ceramic case features a rotating bezel with an insert, both in high-tech ceramic.
Black is central to the design, but the watch presents subtle contrasting golden accents, for a striking ballet – hands, numbers, markers, and Rado logo. Water resistant up to 300 meters, it displays a glorious openwork dial, revealing the inner workings of an automatic calibre with a comfortable 80-hour power reserve. It is also equipped with a Nivachrom™ balance spring that can withstand the negative effects of magnetic fields, as well as an oscillating mass, the shape of which is reminiscent of the iconic anchor, signature of the watchmaking maison.
Prix : 5 000 euros
See our technical specifications for the Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Limited Edition.
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