ON THE WRIST
SPECIFICATIONS:
• RADO HYPERCHROME CAPTAIN COOK
•
Reference number: 01.763.0501.3.015
•
Movement: 11 ½ ETA C07.611, automatic, 25 jewels, 3 hands, date
at 3 o’clock, up to 80 hours power reserve
•
Case & Bezel: High-tech ceramic insert engraved and coated and
inserted in a carbon-diffused steel unidirectional bezel
•
Case Back: Screw-down titanium case back with 3
seahorses stamped
•
Crown: Polished grade 5 titanium screwed crown with
hardening treatment
•
Crystal: curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective
coating on both sides
•
Water resistance: 200 meters
•
Dial: Blue sunbrushed, applied indexes with white Super-
LumiNova and large white moving anchor symbol with red back
ground, white printed Captain Cook, Rado and Automatic logos
•
Hands: White SuperLuminova
•
Bracelet: Satin-brushed stainless steel cover with
hardening treatment
•
Dimensions: 45mm wide x 54 long x 13.8mm high
•
Price: $2,600
RADO’S NICHE HAS BEEN
FINDING INNOVATIVE
ELEMENTS TO MAKE
WATCHES STRONGER AND
MORE RESILIENT.
some mechanical play in it and this made me do a double-take and make
sure its triangle of SuperLuminova was aimed at the right minute marker on
the chapter ring.
The signed and polished grade-5 titanium screw-down crown has been
given a hardening treatment to stand up to wear, but it still feels small
compared to the rest of the case. Rado’s anchor on the crown is a nice
visual element, but its size and placement on the case make it hard to
unscrew. Sure, this screw-down feature helps give it the 200m water
resistance, but it might be improved with a larger crown or better place-
ment on the case.
INNOVATION
The company launched in 1917 and the Rado name ascended in the market
in the 1950s. The name means “wheel,” which seems appropriate for the
many parts in the mechanical movements, but Rado’s niche has been
finding innovative elements to make watches stronger and more resilient.
The brand has a history of using innovative ceramics and carbide-based
composites and watch-case coatings.
Inside all the innovative case materials is a tried and true automatic ETA
movement that boasts an 80-hour power reserve.
LEGIBILITY
Form is important. Function is essential. This watch blends these two
elements on the dial by providing exceptional contrast between the deep
black dial and the applied indexes with white SuperLuminova.
Rado floats a gold anchor rotating on a red disk at 12 o’clock above its
name along with a subtle Captain Cook at 6. The date display has a black
base that hides at 3 o’clock. If your watch needs a date, this is the way to
show it on the dial.
The arrow hour-hand makes no mistake pointing the way, and the
second-hand has enough contrast in the day and luminescence at night to
give you the details.
RARITY AND VALUE
The Rado brand is aimed at the “high range” market, which is Swatch
Group’s second-shelf below the prestige and luxury range audience. This
SPRING 2020 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | 95