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The Rado Captain Cook gets an Aussie exclusive in green and gold

The Rado Captain Cook gets an Aussie exclusive in green and gold

Fergus Nash
  • Rado’s Australian exclusive edition of the Captain Cook is adorned in the Aussie green and gold colour scheme
  • The yellow gold PVD is applied to a stainless-steel case and bracelet, although the clasp is made of titanium
  • The green bezel is made from high-tech ceramic, and perfectly matches the green gradient dial

Rado are a brand known for experimentation, and their signature dive watch is intrinsically linked with Australia due to its name — the Captain Cook. Therefore it makes perfect sense that Rado have created a special edition Captain Cook exclusive to the Australian retailer Gregory Jewellers in a green and gold colour scheme that’s sure to make some overseas markets jealous.

The 42mm case of the Rado Captain Cook is a well established style by now, and it’s globally adored for its vintage style and sloped bezel, as well as its technical offerings in the price range. The case is made from stainless steel with a delightfully blingy yellow gold PVD coating, keeping the price in a reasonable zone for what is a very niche watch. The gold is almost entirely polished too, emphasising that charming over-the-top look, with the exception of the brushed centre links in the bracelet. The lug-to-lug length is around 49mm, so it’s quite wearable too, although the bracelet’s end link does protrude slightly further. The glossy green bezel is possibly the highlight for me with this watch, made from high-tech ceramic and having an almost metallic sheen beneath the forest green colouring.

Rado’s Captain Cook dial carries that smooth vintage flavour well, with a gentle sunburst finishing that blazes in the sunshine and a great mesh of sophistication and sportiness. The bold hands and hour markers make for great legibility, while the rotating anchor logo is always a joy to catch moving around. The dial itself works beautifully with the green bezel, given a dark gradient around the edges and an apple-like centre. This Rado Captain Cook is also powered by the calibre R763, based on the Powermatic 80 movement shared by many facets of the Swatch Group, but tested to higher accuracy standards. The 3Hz beat rate may disappoint anyone who prefers a smoother sweep, but the 80 hour power reserve more than makes up for it. Another high-tech aspect is the bracelet clasp made of titanium, retaining steel-like strength while saving some weight.

The Rado Captain Cook in green and gold pricing and availability:

This edition of the Rado Captain Cook is exclusive to Gregory Jewellers and can be ordered online, or purchased from the physical boutiques in Blacktown, Chadstone, Liverpool, and Paramatta. Price: AU$3,950

Brand Rado
Model Captain Cook Automatic
Case Dimensions 42mm x 49mm x 12.3mm
Case Material Stainless steel with yellow gold PVD
Water Resistance 300m
Crystal(s) Sapphire
Dial Green
Strap Steel bracelet with yellow gold PVD and titanium clasp
Movement R763
Power Reserve 80 hours
Availability Available now
Price AU$3,950