Few watches have such a strong following and fanbase as the Rado Captain Cook. Since it was first unveiled in the 60s, it has become a beloved go-to dive watch for many. For a pretty long time though, the Rado was mostly a time-and-date model. For those of you keen enough for a complicated Captain Cook to finally be made someday, your prayers have since been answered.
Rejoice, as new and updated Captain Cook can now be had as a chronograph. It’s quite a neat inclusion into the already burgeoning Captain Cook line-up. But, rather than merely slapping a chronograph movement, I can appreciate Rado’s attention to detail and how, despite carrying a new complication… The Caption Cook Chronograph is still recognizably a Captain Cook.
Same-Same, But Even Better
It looks like a Captain Cook and even has a sloped bezel. Moreover, and though they added a bi-compax dial layout, it’s still extremely legible and uncluttered. This would certainly be most appreciated by old fans, seeking to try something new. Granted, making it a chronograph did add some heft to its proportions. This here Captain Cook is a chunky 43mm in diameter.
But lug-to-lug, it’s a sizeable 49.5mm. So, expect it to have a significant presence, even if you have larger wrists. This does at least make it water resistant to 300mm. Underneath, it has a new movement – the R801 automatic. This is practically based on the modular ETA A31, but that shouldn’t deter you, as it’s a solid movement with an anti-magnetic hairspring.
