Swiss watchmaker RADO introduced a new world-time function for the first time in the Captain Cook line of vintage diver’s watches from the 1960s. By reproducing the characteristic heritage model called Over-Pole Worldtimer close to the original shape, it emphasizes the retro concept while appealing with a charm differentiated from existing products.
The Captain Cook Over-Pole is presented in a polished stainless steel case. The diameter of the case is 37mm and the thickness is 10.3mm, so you can see the influence of the vintage model from the small size. It is for the same reason that the front box-shaped sapphire crystal is used. It has a bi-directional rotating bezel, and a scratch-resistant black high-tech ceramic bezel insert is laser engraved with city names corresponding to 24 time zones based on international standard time, and silver lacquer finish provides a glance at the major time zones around the world. You can check it on .
The dial is also quite eye-catching. A sunburst finish has been applied to the entire dial, which has been gradated from silver toward the outside towards black. Also, the hour marker is replaced with a dot-shaped Super-LumiNova coating at the end, along with a sharply angled appliqué index that seems to have been applied in the Clou de Paris pattern. (At this point, you can manipulate the bezel to align the corresponding time zone with the desired city name, etc.).
The rhodium-plated and polished sword hands are also coated with white Super-LumiNova, which emits a green color in the dark to ensure readability, and the date can be checked through the 3 o’clock aperture (window). The dial is monochromatic, which makes the red neon even more striking. You can also see the anchor symbol that rotates (like the collection’s symbol) on the artificial ruby plate at 12 o’clock.
The movement is based on the three-hand manual caliber ETA 2801, which is equipped with a calendar module and R862, which doubles the power reserve to 80 hours. It’s the first movement I’ve ever encountered in the Rado collection as far as I can remember. A similar option was introduced earlier in the khaki mechanical lineup by Hamilton within the same Swatch group. However, unlike Hamilton, Rado uses a rotating bezel engraved with the city name and a 24-hour scale to function as a world timer, showing a different direction even with the same base movement.
The movement is also proudly exposed through the transparent sapphire crystal caseback. Côte de Geneve (Geneva stripe), blue screws, etc. have been added in their own way, and the characteristic balance of the Swatch Group’s Powermatic series caliber is equipped with a titanium alloy-based Nivachron™ hairspring. The Nivacron™ hairspring is said to be resistant to temperature changes and shocks, and is said to reduce the effect of magnetic fields on the movement by 10 to 20 times as it is a non-magnetic material (however, the Gaussian value is not specified). Although the solution is similar to the silicon material mainly used for high-end movements of Swatch Group brands in terms of antimagnetic properties, unlike silicon produced by photolithography technology, Nivacron™ can be produced in a standard process, allowing for further mass production. You can tell it’s the hairspring material we had in mind. In addition, the precision has been improved by adjusting a little more tightly with a 5-position adjustment from 3-position in the previous version. For reference, the case waterproof specification is 100m.
The strap is made of brown vintage leather and stitched only on both sides of the lug to harmonize with the retro concept product character. The easy-to-use, tool-free strap replacement is possible by applying the industry’s trending interchangeable method, the EasyClip System. You can feel the fun of stringing. The components are also eye-catching. Instead of a typical box-type package, the replica watches body, an extra bracelet, and a guarantee card are provided in a leather pouch-type package that is easy to carry while considering sustainability.
Rado Captain Cook Over Fall (Ref. R32116158) is a limited edition that is limited to a total of 1,962 pieces, inspired by the birth year of the original timepiece.