Hands-On With The New Black Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton
Back in April 2024, I had a chance to check out the olive-green version of the Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton. While that earlier release walked a fine line between a saturated green and warm gray, today’s new watch takes a stealthier black approach. But don’t let that fool you because the rose gold PVD details on the crown and bezel liven up the design nicely. As a result, I like this new black Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton better than the previous model. Let me explain why.
Ask me what color I think of when it comes to Rado ceramic watches, and I’ll immediately answer, “Black!” As I explained in the review of the olive-green model, my mother was a big fan of Rado’s black ceramic Diastar watches. These watches were revolutionary in the 1980s and influenced my image of the brand as a young boy. I found their dark aesthetic fascinating, and the shiny black material stood out immediately in the many shop windows of German and Austrian watch retailers. So when I saw the new black version of the Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton, I immediately felt a stronger connection to it than to the gray and olive-green versions that came before.
The story of the Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton
Having said that, this modern execution of Rado’s classic Captain Cook is still an acquired taste. The design of the Captain Cook series is rooted in the 1960s, and this modern version takes two big steps away from the standard design. First, the use of black ceramic transforms the watch completely. But in this new black outfit, this model immediately refers to the watches I recognize so well from the 1980s and ’90s, so that isn’t a big leap.
On top of that, the skeletonization on the dial side takes it a step further. It completes the metamorphosis into a technical-looking modern-day watch. In all fairness, it doesn’t look much like the classic dive watch anymore. But I consider that a good thing as it shows the great versatility of the Rado Captain Cook’s design. So, let’s jump into some details to understand what we have here. The watch features a 43mm matte black ceramic monobloc case with a 14.6mm thickness, a 49.8mm lug-to-lug, and a 300m water resistance rating.
Matte black and rose gold work so well together
The case is paired with a rose-gold-tone PVD-treated bezel and crown that bring some visual contrast. But the inward-tilting textured black ceramic insert keeps the overall look rather stealthy. What I love, though, is that the brand opted for rose-tone numerals and markings on the insert. These match the color of the bezel grip and crown nicely. Additionally, the hands and hour markers are executed in a matching rose tone. The black lume used for the hands and markers is a fun choice to complete the overall stealthy theme.
As mentioned, I like this execution better than the olive-green one, which uses white as the contrasting color. Today’s version feels even more stylish. Finishing the look is a three-row black ceramic bracelet with a dual-deployant titanium clasp. As I also explained in my review of the olive-green model, I generally prefer a rubber strap over a ceramic bracelet. The feel of ceramic bracelets can often be somewhat rattly and plasticky.
The skeletonized Rado R808 movement
The main visual attraction on both the front and back is the skeletonized Rado R808 caliber. This ETA-created automatic movement is a custom version of the Swatch Group’s Powermatic 80 caliber. But the R808 is skeletonized and modified to suit Rado’s watches perfectly. It operates at 21,600vph, has 25 jewels, and offers 80 hours of power reserve. The watchmakers at ETA equipped the caliber with an antimagnetic Nivachron hairspring and adjusted the accuracy in five positions.
To ensure this skeletonized caliber fits the overall look, it has a brushed nickel finish and a rose-gold-treated center bridge. As you can see, this creates a nicely layered experience on the dial side.
If you look carefully, you will also see that the rose-tone Rado logo and the text on the lower half of the dial are printed on the sapphire dial that also holds the hour markers. It creates a visually layered spectacle that is intriguing and fits the watch well. The sapphire crystal on the case back exposes the custom Rado rotor and shows more of the inner workings of the caliber. But it is no match for the front side of the watch, of course.
Wearing the black Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton
Once on the wrist, this watch’s execution made all the difference. I like this black version both for its details and how it looks on the wrist. It strikes the perfect balance between a stealthy and stylish aesthetic. The rose-gold-colored details largely define the presence in combination with the black overall look. But while I am not a fan of skeletonized watches and I have an ambivalent relationship with ceramic watches, this ceramic and skeletonized version of the Rado Captain Cook makes sense.
Granted, you have to be able to pull off a large watch because this Captain Cook is not suited for small wrists. On top of that, you have to like a modern-looking watch. Lastly, the color combination is probably the most flashy of all the available versions. But it’s not even the result of the rose gold-colored details. In reality, it’s the result of the greater contrast caused by the black ceramic. If you like that color combination, this watch might suit you. I was surprised to see how well it matched my usual attire.
My favorite of the Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton series
Moreover, the lightweight ceramic material wears super well. The total weight of the watch on the bracelet is 144.3 grams. That is not super light, but it is much lighter than most stainless steel watches of this size on a bracelet. While I said in my review of the olive-green version that I’d have preferred it on a rubber strap, I prefer the ceramic bracelet for this new version. It looks great, and it hugs the wrist nicely.
Additionally, I much prefer the look of this new version over the previously introduced models thanks to my childhood associations with Rado’s watches. I think this black version offers a distinct style that is stealthier and more balanced than the green, gray, and blue models that came before. The overall quality of the watch and the bracelet is also very nice. The bezel turns with firm clicks, and the titanium clasp is easy to use and feels well made. The combination of materials and finishes shows that the Rado takes things very seriously with this skeletonized series.
Final thoughts on the Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton
With a price tag of €4,950, we are also taking serious money. But what you get in return is hard to match in terms of materials, quality, and finishing. If you think about ceramic watches, you will often think of Hublot, IWC, Omega, Audemars Piguet, and Zenith. These brands offer their ceramic watches for at least double the price of this Captain Cook.
We have seen an increase in more affordable ceramic watches, but Rado is still the go-to brand for me when it comes to this material. And just as a reminder, the ceramic skeletonized Captain Cook models are on the higher end of the brand’s price range. Still, what they offer is certainly in line with the price.
If you prefer a regular dial, you could opt for this black ceramic version. It will save you €1,200, which is a significant chunk of cash. But if you like a modern, skeletonized version of the classic Captain Cook, I would definitely pick this over the previous versions. It simply has more allure and looks more balanced. That’s why this new black version is my favorite of the series.
While I still prefer the stainless steel or bronze versions of the Rado Captain Cook, this new version is good — really good, actually. While it is miles removed from the 1962 original, it still feels very much like a member of the family. This versatility within the Captain Cook line makes Rado stand out. The brand navigates elegantly between different styles and executions. The new black Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton is the perfect proof of that.
What are your thoughts on this new black and rose Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton? Let us know in the comments.
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