Why This Watch Matters

The original Captain Cook.

The Full Story

Named in honor of the 18th Century explorer Captain James Cook, Rado's quintessential dive watch both modern and vintage continues to stun, decade after decade. The Captain Cook hit the market in 1962, a time when the world was just waking up to the possibilities of SCUBA as a recreational sport for anyone to enjoy. This watch carried a design that resonated with the increasingly casual adventure-by-day, romance-by-night lifestyle of the early 1960s, especially as expressed in the outdoorsy European zeitgeist of the post-war decades.

As a watch, the Captain Cook is everything you need in a dive watch. The dial is simple with generous lume plots, a date window at three o'clock that displays in red, and the classic "floating" and "rotating" Rado logo at 12 o'clock. The watch clearly shows a few of the same design principles used in Blancpain's Fifty Fathoms and Breitling's Superocean, most notably the concave or "stadium" bezel.

Our example is made all the more special by a tropical dial and creamy lume patina. Sure, a new Rado will serve you better as a daily wear watch but nothing quite grabs attention like true vintage. We paired the watch with our Reid strap in taupe because you come to HODINKEE for taupe.

The Fine Print

Maker: Rado
Model: Captain Cook
Reference: N/A
Year: 1960s
Case No: N/A
Material: Stainless steel
Dimensions: 36.5mm diameter; 11m thickness
Crystal: Plexiglass
Lume: Yes, radium
Caliber: Rado signed A Schild, manually-wound, AS1701
Bracelet/Strap: HODINKEE The Reid Goatskin Watch Strap In Taupe
Lug Width: 19mm
Box/Papers: No

What We Love And What You Should Know

Things We Love:

- Tropical dial
- Excellent lume patina
- "Floating" Rado anchor logo

Things To Know:

- Scratches on case

This Captain Cook is in great overall condition. The case is in very good condition retaining crisp edges to the lugs and case sides. The reverse sides of the lugs have some scratches from strap removal and placement. The caseback has a few scratches but the engravings are all clearly visible.

The dial is in attractive condition with an overall tropical brown patina. Mostly, the dial has matted in texture. The lume on the dial is full and has aged to a creamy color. The lume in the hands has been color corrected to match that of the dial. The hands themselves have developed a light patina.

The external "stadium" bezel has developed an overall patina with some wear. The dial, case, and movement are signed by Rado. This watch was photographed on a 175mm/6.9inch wrist.

Rado Brand Landing

1960s Rado Captain Cook With Tropical Dial