Rado styles itself the “Master of Materials” so we are surprised every time the brand tells us there is a new execution of a colour in ceramic. It just feels like Rado must have done it before – the automatic answer to every question about ceramic in watchmaking is Rado, even though that is really not always the case. Seriously though, the new Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton is now available in a new matt shade of “late night blue,” which is so very handsome that it landed the cover of World of Watches Malaysia. Before you can say ‘late night what now?’ let us explain.

Ceramic has this feature where getting the precise colours any given producer wants – not just in watchmaking – is difficult. Well, it can be easier if one is willing to compromise on material strength or durability and it can also work if one is willing to compromise on the quality of the colour. When a watchmaker such as Rado cannot compromise on either, that is when one has to push boundaries. Luckily, Rado has a shared facility with the materials specialist Comadur, whom we have written about a number of times and will visit in the near future (it is on the wish list). This firm is responsible for all the innovative work the group does on sapphire crystals and ceramics.

Adding to the sophistication here is the skeletonised movement in play, Calibre R808, visible through the sapphire dial. Needless to say, the movement is a significant upgrade from the original 1962 Captain Cook model and has all the cool bits that feature strongly in contemporary calibres. The Calibre R808 includes a NivachronTM hairspring, making it resistant to magnetic fields, and boasts an impressive 80-hour power reserve; no doubt you will be familiar with this as the automatic calibre is hardly new. In this form though, it is possible to really see how the aesthetics of the movement, with its meticulous machine finishing, suits the eye. You can even watch the mainspring wind up and down, which might be thrilling depending on your horological nerd credentials.

Returning to the case to finish, this is not a small watch at 43mm, nor is it thin (14.6mm), but that is to be expected from a dive watch built to have 300m water-resistance. The Captain Cook range is one of the few occasions that Rado goes thick, which is perfect to showcase the range of ceramic. Helping to keep things on the wrist in good shape, at least when we tried the watch on, is the blue rubber strap. Rado says it is “sport and adventure-ready,” and it should get the job done in terms of weathering humidity and sweat.

Movement: Automatic Calibre R808; 80-hour power reserve
Case: 43mm in high-tech ceramic; water-resistant to 300m
Strap: Rubber
Price: SGD 6,550

This article first appeared on WOW’s Summer 2024 issue.

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