Champagne campaign – the 37mm Rado Captain Cook Automatic now comes with a lovely light dial
Editor’s note: It’s no longer news that so-called smaller watches are back. And one of the leading lights in the movement is the Rado Captain Cook. The latest version, with a Champagne dial, is really something to celebrate. We had a hint of it a little while ago when Justin previewed the larger Captain Cook models, but now it’s official. The fan favourite Rado Captain Cook Automatic in 37mm is now offered in a limited edition Champagne (or to give its official, but less romantic, name — brown sunbrushed) dial. Dial aside, the details are unchanged: polished steel case, ceramic bezel insert in black, boxed sapphire crystal and automatic movement with 80 hours of juice. But this time around, there is a quite cool new addition, in the form of a handy leather travel case that includes space for the watch, and the two extra straps that come with it as standard. So, there’s the suede-like leather, a Milanese mesh with straight end pieces for that authentic diver vibe, as well as a stylish fabric strap. And, of course, a tool to change them. So, for a little watch, this Captain Cook sure packs a punch. It’s limited to 1962…
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Unveiled at Baselworld earlier this year, the Chopard Mille Miglia 2019 Race Edition celebrates the Swiss watch brand’s illustrious 31-year relationship with Italy’s most storied road rally. Inspired by not just the event itself, but the classic automobiles that compete in the famous rally, the 2019 Race Edition represents the passion that Chopard co-president Karl-Friedrich Scheufele shares for classic automobiles. The striking 44mm case is available in either steel or two-tone steel and rose gold, and is paired with a motorsport-inspired perforated tan leather band with Chopard’s signature rubber tyre tread pattern lining. Like most watches born out of the crucible of motorsport, the Race Edition’s bezel is treated to a very handy tachymeter, which no doubt would have been used thoroughly by those taking part in this year’s Mille Miglia. And it wouldn’t be a watch for the racetrack without a chronograph complication, with the Race Edition’s three sub-dials depicting running seconds, a 30-minute counter and a 12-hour counter. The main dial of the watch is finished in a striking and masculine galvanic grey colour with a mesmerising concentric snail pattern that really makes the contrasting black sub-dials of the aforementioned 30-minute counter and 12-hour counter pop. Powering the Race Edition is a…
The move to put an Omega on James Bond’s wrist in GoldenEye stands as one of the greatest watch marketing moves in the history of watch marketing. Dimitrios was not the first, and certainly won’t be the last person to buy into the brand because of the fictional super spy. But even if it was Bond that pushed Dimitrios over the edge, the quality of the watch shouldn’t be dismissed. If the SMP was less of a watch, I’m pretty sure that Dimitrios wouldn’t be sitting in front of our camera, waxing lyrical about it. It’s also a watch that’s held up remarkably well over time (just like Brosnan TBH). It wears its age well, and can hold its own against the most recent generation of Seamaster 300M Divers. So, Dimitrios, here’s hoping you keep wearing it for another 25 years, and thanks for being a part of #everywatchtellsastory. Stay tuned for the next one.
Up until a few years ago, Rado’s Captain Cook was a rather obscure watch. A stylish skin diver from the middle of last century, a time when many brands (many of whom aren’t around these days) tried their hands at the genre. Rado made Captain Cook watches from 1962 to 1972. After then, the brand shifted its focus to other areas, like absolutely crushing it in the world of high-tech ceramics. But, driven by the powerful winds of the heritage-style revival, the Captain Cook surfaced again, at Baselworld 2017, and over the last few years has become well-regarded by critics and watch lovers alike. We’re going to have a look at seven key models in the modern Captain Cook line-up. Rado Captain Cook Automatic limited edition This little 37mm looker started it all. A limited edition of 1962 pieces, it was a surprise hit of Basel 2017 because it was such a faithful take on the 1962 original. Rado Captain Cook Automatic In addition to the LE, Rado also released a regular production version of the Captain Cook, which was practically identical. The only major differences were a simpler black dial, and a three-link steel bracelet. Rado HyperChrome Captain Cook …
Editor’s note: While the Pilot might be IWC’s hero of the hour, the equally large but more classically inspired Portugieser is an equally important line. Felix finds out why … There’s a good reason the Portugieser collection is one of IWC’s most popular (in Australia at least). It’s a big, commanding watch that nevertheless possesses a grace and charm that belies its large size. This combination makes it one of the go-to statement watches. But did you know that it’s also got the weight of history behind it? A little while ago we chatted with IWC museum curator and general know-it-all David Seyffer for a quick history lesson on the mighty Portugieser.
Emerging from the safety of black, blue and white dial sport watches, the radiant TAG Heuer Aquaracer in emerald green marks an adventurous step forward for the line-up. Yet for a brand that is no stranger to radical innovation (Mikrotimer Flying 1000, anyone?), it’s surprising that it took them this long to come out with a green dial sport watch. But no matter. The green dials have arrived, and they’re here to stay. At 43 and 32mms in diameter (men’s and women’s versions respectively), as well as 300m of water resistance, sapphire crystal and all the other bells and whistles you’d expect, these handsome new additions toe the party line when it comes to Aquaracer specs, yet confidently stand apart in terms of visual appeal. Despite both being green, the men’s and women’s versions each showcase the colour in different ways. The grooves created by the horizontally striped dial of the men’s version enable the green to appear darker in the recesses and lighter on top. The result is an engaging alternating pattern of deep and bright greens – a simple but effective use of dial texture to showcase different dimensions of one colour. On the other hand, the women’s…
It’s that time of year again. Apple has unveiled their latest and greatest Watch (as well as some pretty serious new iPhones), which has the unsurprising name of Apple Watch Series 5. And there’s always a lot to unpack with the world’s most popular watch (yeah, I went there). There are small but significant advances, like international support for emergency calls, improvements to navigation and watchOS 6. But really, for us it comes down to three main points, two of which are pretty obvious, and the third is a small, but substantial change. The Apple Watch Series 5 now comes in titanium So the form factor of the Series 5 remains the same as Series 4, which was a big change, but this time around we’re treated to some new case materials, along with the core steel, gold and space black aluminium treatments (which is now recycled). We also get a fresh new white ceramic and a slick black ceramic option for the top-tier Hermès edition. But to our minds it’s the titanium that is the standout. Lightweight and tough, titanium has long been a go-to material for active watch cases and it makes perfect sense on the Apple…
A few months ago we introduced you to the first in a series of limited edition watches made to celebrate The Hour Glass’s 40th anniversary. Well, we’ve just had a look at the latest in the series, which takes the form of a TAG Heuer Monaco. Now, if this were any other watch it would run the risk of being a touch underwhelming, what with all the 50 years of Monaco celebratory LEs getting dropped this year. But you know what, I don’t think this ‘TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 11 Special Edition’ (to give it its formal, boring name) needs to be too concerned, Mostly because it’s freaking stunning. The case evokes the iconic ‘Dark Lord’ Monacos (one of the earliest black-coated watches), with its PVD coating — including all the pushers. But this is no mere phantom execution (that might have worked for The Hour Glass’s Tempus celebrations back in 2007, but times — and tastes — have changed). No, the dial here is an opaline beige, and the sandy tones play oh-so-nicely with the dark case, and even more nicely with the red Super-LumiNova dial details. The lack of applied hour markers makes the whole situation a little…
I don’t know about you, but I find navigating Casio’s iconic and uber-tough G-Shock family a tricky process. It’s a reference number dominated space which, to the outsider, is every bit as confusing as the worlds of vintage Rolex or Patek. Adding to the complexity is the sheer profusion of models. Limited editions, collaborations and colourways all play their part. But if you’d like to get your head around the ways of the G-Shock quickly and efficiently you’re in luck, because Gear Patrol’s Allen Farmelo has written a no-holds-barred breakdown on the line. From Mudmasters to full metal models and everything in between, Farmelo gives you a quick primer on everything you need to know. Well worth the read.