It might offer versatility in matching your attire, but I think the mixed titanium and polished steel draws more attention to the bracelet and less to the case even though the case stands nearly 14mm high. I am a guy who loves steel bracelets but have never liked mixed-metal finishes. The 120-click ratcheting bezel is polished on its coin edge and mirrors the polished links on the center of the bracelet. The bezel and crystal create a bowl shape that highlights the bezel’s triangle at 12, and Arabic numerals at 15, 30 and 45-minute marks.
The ring slopes toward the curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides. The lugs on this case jut out like the bow of a ship and remind me of design elements in vintage Omega Flightmasters or Seiko Bullheads. The lugs on this case jut out like the bow of a ship and remind me of design elements in vintage Omega Flightmasters or Seiko Bullheads. The bezel is a black, high-tech ceramic insert engraved and enclosed in a carbon-diffused steel unidirectional ring. The Captain Cook’s case is predominately a titanium alloy, which highlights Rado’s niche-work with alloys and ceramic composite materials. The downside of the metal is that it tends to be easily scratched. It represents a lightweight alternative to heavier stainless steel.
Titanium is found in more and more watches – and for good reasons. The case is predominately a titanium alloy, which highlights Rado’s niche-work with alloys and ceramic composite materials. The massive lugs are brushed with a finely integrated bracelet with alternating polish. The chunk of metal feels like a tool or a weapon on my wrist, but with the refined edges and smoothness of a surgical instrument. I got my hands on this large-and-in-charge 45mm model and was surprised by its slight weight of 147 grams on the metal bracelet. The HyperChrome Captain Cook comes in two distinct sizes. Rado often goes unnoticed among Swatch Group’s other brands, but this watch refuses to get lost and is unapologetically bold. This watch’s namesake was the British Captain Cook, who explored the Pacific in the 1700s. Rado timed the vintage-like release perfectly, and it was the 37mm little brother that took the spotlight. Rado got some attention a few years ago when it reimagined the Captain Cook after its original model from the 1960s. If this Captain were a living, breathing sailor, he’d be a burly, broad-shoulder guy standing on a titanium peg-leg grinning with a polished, silver tooth. The big, titanium HyperChrome Captain Cook is Rado’s recent interpretation of a dive watch with the bling and brawn for an underwater fashionista.