Born of Fire: Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton 

With the Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton, a skeletonised model joins Rado’s Captain Cook collection, also known as the watch brand’s first diving watch, which debuted in 1962. This timepiece does not only distinguish itself through its high durability, but also through its uncompromising aesthetics.

The case

In line with the brand’s predominant use of ceramics, the case of the Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton is made out of plasma high-tech ceramic. Temperatures of up to 20,000° Celsius – about four times that of the surface of the sun – are needed to create it. Thus, plasma high-tech ceramic is a material born of fire, with a particularly strong surface resistance and metallic appearance. The monobloc construction measures 43 x 49.8 mm in diameter and 14.6 mm in height. In addition, this timepiece has a water resistance of up to 300 m (30 bar).

Interplay of colors 

The dark anthracite of the case offers a contrast to the rose-gold-coloured, rotating bezel made of stainless steel with a PVD coating. The bezel is equipped with an insert made of circular brushed plasma high-tech ceramic, whose anthracite colour interplays with the warm rose-tinted colour. In addition, the numerals, markers and triangle depicted on the insert, as well as the index ring that follows it, provide further accents through their colouring in rose gold. The screw-down crown in PVD stainless steel with the Rado anchor symbol also reflects this warm hue.

Free sight

Typical of the Captain Cook models, box-shaped and anti-reflective sapphire crystal on both sides provides a clear view from both the front and the back. With its light grey colouring, the sapphire crystal blends seamlessly with the colour scheme of the case. Surrounded by circular brushed titanium, the sapphire crystal on the caseback reveals the movement.

The dial

If you take a look at this timepiece, you will see the grey brushed skeleton dial of the Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton through the smoked tint of the sapphire crystal. The brushed indices and three hands are rose-gold-coloured and coated with white Super-LumiNova. This makes it possible to read the hours, minutes and seconds reliably even in difficult lighting conditions. Directly below 12 o’clock is Rado’s characteristic moving anchor symbol coloured in rose gold against a synthetic ruby backplate. The brand logo below and the lettering with the model’s name and water resistance above 6 o’clock, however, are in white.

The movement

Following the tradition of some Captain Cook models, the calibre R808, an automatic movement, is at the heart of the Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton. Especially with skeletonised models, small details allow the designers to emphasize the most intrecate parts. Thus, 25 gemstones adorn the movement. In addition, a new horizontally brushed plate, and the rose-gold coloured brushed minute-wheel bridge emphasise the complexity of the movement.

Going above and beyond the norm, the movement is tested with an antimagnetic Nivachron hairspring in five positions instead of three. It thus achieves greater precision and exceeds the standard test criteria. The power reserve is 80 hours.

Strap, price, and availability 

Matching the case, the bracelet is made of plasma high-tech ceramic. While the outer links are matt, the middle links have a polished appearance. A titanium triple-fold buckle with Ceramos push-buttons completes the bracelet. The Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton is available for 4,750 euros.

rado.com