The vintage re-launched inspired enthusiasm hit its nadir this year, with most replica watches landing in the decent yet exclusive category. However, two outstanding vintage reissues were the first Seiko Diver Prospex watches and this, the fake Rado Captain Cook. A “vintage replica” of a watch from the 1960s, the Captain Cook stays true to the original 37mm watch but also introduced the size I selected for – a 45mm wide on the fabric strap. While I firstly found the 37mm and 45mm sizing to be a little odd, I am actually glad Rado avoided the predictable Goldilocks “just right” sizing by offering it in something like 40 or 42mm and offered the original vintage size and a size that really appeals to those with bigger wrists.
We have to mention that the technical name here involves the “HyperChrome” designation from Rado. I don’t see any need to call it the Rado HyperChrome Captain Cook watch, but I think this naming decision was made to ensure that people are aware that the new “vintage fake” watches are done partly in ceramic. Of course, the watch is named after the legendary British Explorer Captain James Cook who met an unfortunate end that reminds me of a story I’d hear on the TV show Parks & Recreation when they talk about their many murals.
The 45mm Captain Cook best replica watches have a ceramic bezel and a case done in hardened titanium which, according to the fake Rado, provides scratch resistance over standard titanium. So, while not a full ceramic case, you still get a scratch resistant case that’s also very lightweight. As a matter of fact, the weight kind of took me off guard at first since you really do expect it to be heavier by looking at it. Again, on my wrist the 45mm size is not an issue at all and I found it to be accurately sized for my 7.5 inch wrist.
While it’s motivated by a vintage diver, there really isn’t much going on here that would make one think that Rado really try this to be a watch that one dives with. And that’s OK with me. I like great dive watches but I do not dive. After all, it’s great to know that the Captain Cook can survive some spills (it’s rated at 200m water resistance) but I think the replica Rado smartly understood that style over real, serious diver substance would be the appeal. This is even much clearer when you consider that the smaller 37mm is rated to 100m of water resistance.
It’s not easy to obtain an exclusive “aesthetic signature” these days, especially with the number of vintage-inspired peers the Captain Cook has. However, the sloped bezel, big legible hour and minute hands, along with the rotating Rado anchor logo at 12 o’clock all mesh together for a distinctive style that doesn’t at all feel derivative or contrived.