Rare bird – Rado Captain Cook from the 1960s
| Size | 35.5mm |
| Movement | Schild 1701 |
| Condition | Well worn! Very well worn! |
| Lug Width | 18mm |
| Owned | Yes |
By the early‑1960s the dive‑watch craze was in full swing. Rado, better known for sleek dress pieces, decided to chart its own course and—in 1962—launched the Captain Cook, a compact tool‑watch named after the legendary British explorer. Only about 8,000 examples were produced before the line disappeared in 1968, making surviving pieces genuinely scarce today.
A Diver Ahead of Its Time
In an era dominated by brands like Rolex and Omega, Rado’s Captain Cook carved its niche with distinctive features. Notably, it boasted an inward-sloping bezel—a design choice that added depth and protected the crystal. Despite its modest 35.5mm case size, the watch was rated for a surprising 220 meters of water resistance, a feat considering its simple push/pull crown mechanism. This impressive rating was attributed to its bayonet-style case back and patented design, underscoring Rado’s commitment to functionality .
The Captain Cook defied the era’s trend toward hulking “super‑compressors.” Its modest footprint made it wearable then and refreshingly vintage‑correct now.
Inward‑sloping concave bezel with printed minute scale adds visual depth while protecting the insert from knocks.
Domed acrylic crystal creates lovely distortion at the edge of the dial.
“Swinging‑anchor” logo at 12 o’clock rotates with wrist movement—a playful nod to Rado’s maritime muse.
Hands and markers are filled with aged Tritium, giving surviving pieces that warm “radium‑burn” glow collectors love.
Beneath the Dial
Rado chose the robust A. Schild AS 1701 automatic calibre. The 25‑jewel movement can be hand‑wound, hacks for precise setting, and hides a gold‑plated rotor under a seahorse‑engraved case‑back—one of the most detailed case‑backs of the decade.
Thanks Emmy Watches (https://www.emmywatch.com/db/movement/a_schild–1701/) for finding these:
Wearing a Piece of History
On a beads‑of‑rice bracelet the Captain Cook melts onto the wrist; on NATO it becomes the ultimate week‑end beater. The bezel action is light, the acrylic quickly polishes out, and the small diameter slips under cuffs—a true vintage daily driver.
Buying Guide
Bracelet vs. strap: original “rice‑grain” bracelets add ~10–15 % premium.
Check the bezel: replacements are hard to source; chips are acceptable, total reprints devalue.
Dial & hands: look for matching lume tone—greenish hands with brown dial lume often signals relume.
Movement service: parts for the AS 1701 are still obtainable, but ask for a recent service receipt.
Legacy & Rebirth
Nearly fifty years after its quiet exit, Rado revived the Captain Cook in 2017, first in a faithful 37 mm re‑edition and later in bronze, ceramic and chronograph variants—all sporting modern ETA calibres and 80‑hour reserves. The reissues are great watches, but the originals carry the soul. Fratello Watches
Final Thoughts
The 1960s Captain Cook is a study in restrained Swiss design meeting genuine tool‑watch capability. Compact, quirky and undeniably cool, it offers collectors a legitimate vintage diver that still feels contemporary on the wrist—proof that good design never needs to shout to be heard.
Thinking of adding one to your fleet? Act fast—just like its seafaring namesake, the Captain Cook seldom stays in port for long.