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RADO proves once again that a good game is won in the details. And the new Captain Cook x Tennis Limited Edition is packed with them. I had the pleasure of first handling it this past May, during a visit to RADO’s headquarters in Lengnau, in the canton of Bern, Switzerland, along with other Greek journalists. We were welcomed by the brand’s CEO himself, Adrian Bosshard, who enthusiastically presented one by one the new watches created for 2025. Naturally, we also got to see some models in avant-première, under strict embargo, since they were scheduled for official release later in the year. Among them was the Captain Cook x Tennis — a limited edition of 1,985 pieces. Why 1,985? Because that was the year RADO began its wonderful relationship with the world of tennis. That was 1985 — exactly 40 years ago.
As RADO so aptly puts it using the language of tennis, the best doubles partners are the ones who complement each other, evolve together, and build a shared path through time. That’s pretty much how this relationship has developed, giving rise to several fascinating tennis-themed timepieces and numerous partnerships with top athletes — like British players Andy Murray and Cameron Norrie, Czech champion Barbora Krejcikova, and Australian star Ashleigh Barty.
The Captain Cook x Tennis Limited Edition captures athletic character, retro charm, and the technical credentials of a true tool watch. It’s robust and stylish, and works just as well for sport as it does for daily wear. Its 39mm case is a timeless size that suits both slender and broader wrists, making it ideal for both men and women.
Crafted in stainless steel, it features a rotating bezel with a plasma ceramic insert that sports a circular brushed finish, giving the piece a sleek, industrial feel. The dial, made of ruthenium with an elegant gradient effect, fades from dark on the edges to a pale center. Bold hands and oversized white hour markers are coated in Super-LumiNova® to stand out clearly in the dark. It’s sealed by a box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides.
What makes this watch truly special, though, are the design cues clearly inspired by the world of tennis. The tip of the seconds hand and four subtle dots around the dial glow in yellow Super-LumiNova®, echoing the vibrant yellow of fresh tennis balls. Even their placement is meaningful: the dots are positioned at 15, 30, 40 minutes, and at 12 o’clock — a clear nod to the way scoring works in tennis: 15-30-40-game.
On the caseback, the engraved inscription LIMITED EDITION, ONE OUT OF 1985, proudly honors the year RADO’s relationship with tennis began. The inner circle is divided into three textured sections, each with a distinct embossed finish, symbolizing the three main tennis court surfaces: grass, clay, and hard court. It’s yet another reminder of the countless tournaments RADO has supported as official timekeeper and sponsor over the years.
Inside beats the Rado calibre R763, an automatic movement with an impressive 80-hour power reserve and a Nivachron™ anti-magnetic hairspring, ensuring top reliability and long-term resistance. The watch is water resistant to 30 bar, or 300 meters, a nod to its diving roots within the Captain Cook family.
The RADO Captain Cook x Tennis Limited Edition comes fitted with a stainless steel bracelet featuring satin-finished outer links and polished “rice grain” center pieces, offering both comfort and flexibility on the wrist. Thanks to the highly practical EasyClip system, the bracelet can be easily swapped for one of the three NATO-style fabric straps included in the elegant leather travel case the watch comes in.
The straps are designed in colors inspired by tennis court surfaces: blue for hard court, green for grass, and orange for clay, all with white stripes.
Price: €3,050
CASE Stainless steel, Ø39 mm, thickness: 12 mm, steel diving bezel with plasma ceramic ring insert, screw-in crown | DIAL Grey-white ruthenium-plated degradé, hour markers and hands with white SuperLuminova, date at 3 |
MOVEMENT Rado calibre R763, automatic, Nivachron anti-magnetic hairspring, 80 hours of power reserve | FUNCTIONS / COMPLICATIONS Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
WATER RESISTANCE 300 metres | BRACELET / STRAP Steel bracelet with 3-fold clasp and three additional NATO-style straps (blue, green, orange) with stainless steel pin buckle |
