Rado Expands Its Captain Cook Line with Two New High-Tech Ceramic Chronographs

Rado has long been recognised as a pioneer in material innovation, with its groundbreaking use of high-tech ceramic standing as a defining hallmark of the brand. Introduced in the 1980s, this advanced material has revolutionised watchmaking by offering an extraordinary combination of lightness, durability, and scratch resistance; its smooth, hypoallergenic finish ensures exceptional wearer comfort. Smooth to the touch and gentle upon the skin, the material offers a wearing experience most agreeable to the discerning wrist. Rado now builds upon this legacy with the introduction of a new edition, Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Chronograph, crafted in the brand’s signature material and offered in two distinct variations ― stainless steel with rose gold PVD coating (Ref. R32190153) and stainless steel (Ref. R32189313). 

For over 35 years, Rado’s scientists have dedicated themselves to the exploration and advancement of ceramic materials. So, what exactly is high-tech ceramic? Pure zirconium oxide powders with uniform grain sizes are used to create watch cases; these are baked at high temperatures to achieve the necessary dimensions and qualities. Rado has discovered new technologies that use a plastic carrier liquid mixed with mineral powders to allow injection into precise moulds at pressures of around 1,000 bar. After cooling, the pieces are removed from their parent mould and the carrier agent is dissolved using a normal chemical solvent method, followed by a final sintering phase at 1,450°C.

This highly regulated sintering allows high-tech ceramics to achieve high levels of full density and hardness, compared with normal ceramics. The method falls into the classic rocket science territory, as the dimensions of the first moulded elements drop during sintering; the particles tighten up as porosity disappears and exact calculations must account for this significant change in dimensions of approximately 25%. The prize is a case that now stands at 1,250 on the Vickers scale, ready for final diamond-tool machining and finishing.

The latest chapter in this journey introduces new 43 mm chronograph models that bring a fresh dose of performance, durability, and visual intrigue to the line. The first timepiece is a black and rose gold-coloured Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Chronograph. This variant gets a matte black high-tech ceramic case with a monobloc construction, a rose gold-coloured PVD-coated stainless steel turning bezel with a polished black high-tech ceramic insert with engraved numbers, and polished rose gold-coloured PVD-coated stainless steel screw-down pushers at 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock, and a crown at 3 o'clock. 

The shadow black dial gets rose gold-coloured hour, minute hands, central chronograph second hands with red tips, and hour markers. The same material can also be found on the three subdials: a 30-minute subdial at 9 o'clock, a 12-hour counter at 6 o'clock, and a running 60-seconds subdial at 3 o'clock. The hour markers with a triangle at 12 o'clock get white Super-LumiNova®. 

Turning the watch showcases the circular-brushed black PVD-coated titanium caseback with sapphire crystal. This model is finished on a matte black high-tech ceramic bracelet, with polished black high-tech ceramic middle links and a titanium three-fold clasp.

The next watch in the collection has a matte plasma high-tech ceramic case with a monobloc construction, a stainless steel turning bezel with a polished dark green high-tech ceramic insert with engraved numbers, a polished stainless steel screw-down crown with an embossed and laser-enhanced anchor logo at 3 o'clock, and polished stainless steel screw-down pushers at 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock. 

The sunray green dial gets rhodium-coloured applied hour markers with white Super-LumiNova® and a rhodium-coloured moving anchor symbol on a synthetic ruby backplate. This same material (rhodium) can also be found on the hour markers, the hour, minute, and central chronograph hands with red tips, and the three subdials (a 30-minute subdial at 9 o'clock, a 12-hour counter at 6 o'clock, and a running 60-seconds subdial at 3 o'clock). 

Just like the variant described above, the hour markers with a triangle at 12 o'clock get white Super-LumiNova®. Turning the watch showcases the circular-brushed titanium caseback with sapphire crystal and an oscillating weight. This variant is finished on a matte plasma high-tech ceramic bracelet, with polished plasma high-tech ceramic middle links and a titanium three-fold clasp. Common to both novelties is a trapezoid, white-background, red-numeral date window at 6 o’clock. Powering the watches is Calibre R801 with an antimagnetic Nivachron™ hairspring, offering a 59-hour power reserve. Both novelties also sport a subtle minute track around the edge of each dial.