The history of this Rado Captain Cook
This Rado Captain Cook Bronze is descended from a diving watch launched in 1962 by the Lengnau-based company, a 37 mm model water-resistant to 200 m that bore the name of the British explorer James Cook. From the outset, it has been recognisable by its arrow-shaped hour hand and Rado’s movable anchor, which pivots freely on its axis at 12 o’clock. In 2022, Rado introduced a chronograph version to the collection, the Captain Cook Automatic Chronograph, available in three versions: two in steel and one in bronze. Reference R32146208 is this bronze version with a blue dial. It retains the arrow-shaped hour hand and anchor from the 1962 model and adapts them to a modern diving chronograph, featuring a high-tech ceramic bezel – a material in which Rado specialises.
Case, movement and strap of this Captain Cook
The 43 mm case in brushed bronze – an alloy of copper and aluminium – is 14.8 mm thick. The notched, unidirectional rotating bronze bezel features a polished blue high-tech ceramic insert, marked at 15, 30 and 45, and a luminescent triangle at 12 o’clock. The domed sapphire crystal is anti-reflective on both sides. The titanium caseback offers a view of the movement through a sapphire window, and the screw-down crown ensures water resistance to 300 m. The blue sunburst dial features gold applied hour markers treated with Super-LumiNova, two blued sub-dials, the date at 6 o’clock in red numerals and a gold anchor on a red background. The chronograph’s 30-minute counter is positioned at 9 o’clock and the small seconds sub-dial at 3 o’clock, whilst the chronograph seconds hand is tipped with a red tip. The R801 calibre, an automatic movement, offers a power reserve of 59 hours and an anti-magnetic Nivachron balance spring. The blue fabric strap with a gold centre band fastens with a bronze pin buckle bearing the Rado logo.
Why this Rado watch
This bronze chronograph combines, in a single watch, water resistance to 300 metres, a scratch-resistant ceramic bezel and an automatic calibre with a 59-hour power reserve. The bronze gives the watch a personal touch. Its patina develops on contact with the air and the skin, meaning that no two worn examples will ever have exactly the same colour. On this particular watch, the patina has already developed on the case and lugs. Purchased in Switzerland in February 2025, the watch remains covered by the Rado warranty until February 2030.
Contents and condition
This Rado Captain Cook Bronze comes with its black Rado box with leather handles, its outer box, an additional dark blue textile strap, its warranty card, the description card for the bronze edition, its label and the purchase invoice dated February 2025. The blue leather strap originally supplied is not included. The watch is in good condition. The bronze has a marbled patina on the case, which is more pronounced on the crown and pushers, and the edge of the caseback shows micro-scratches from wear. The ceramic bezel, crystal and dial are pristine. The presentation box has been used; its interior lining is peeling away at the corners and the exterior shows some signs of wear.
Warranty and delivery
The Swiss Collector guarantees the authenticity of this watch, which is covered by the Rado manufacturer’s warranty until February 2030. We accept returns within 10 days in accordance with our terms and conditions. As Switzerland’s leading second-hand watch retailer, backed by the largest network of shops, we offer online booking for a fitting and collection in-store, or fully secure international delivery.
* Good condition – Watch has been worn. Some signs of wear (micro-scratches, wear marks, etc.). Fully functional and tested by our partner watchmakers.
