Rado’s Captain Cook Over-Pole is an Adventure Watch With a Heart of Gold

• Swiss watchmaker Rado has announced the Captain Cook Over-Pole, a revamped version of the 2022 re-issue.
• The new piece features a bidirectional rotatable bezel in black high-tech ceramic and a yellow gold-coloured PVD-finished stainless steel case and matching crown.
• It is powered by the calibre R862 Worldtimer manual-winding movement, which boasts 80 hours of power reserve.
• Priced at AUD$4,700, the timepiece is available in boutiques and online from May 2025.

There aren’t many gold-toned timepieces that muscle their way into the adventure watch discussion, but Rado’s Captain Cook Over-Pole is making a strong argument to change that. The Swiss watchmaker’s latest release takes inspiration from the 1962 model of the same name, albeit with a refined approach to material and a remarkably versatile beating heart. Make no mistake, this glitzy gold-coloured timepiece may look dressed for the dinner soirée, but underneath, it is all business.

Unveiled earlier this year, the 2025 Rado Captain Cook Over-Pole model is largely based on the revitalisation release from 2022, albeit with a few major upgrades. That revamped 37mm reference saw Rado‘s watchmakers introduce the calibre R862 Worldtimer manual-winding movement to the collection for the first time—a decision that increased the power reserve to a stellar 80 hours. The three-hand design, complete with a date window at three o’clock, proved to be a solid performer for the brand, particularly when you consider it was priced at just USD$2,400 upon release. In 2025, Rado has again returned to the archives, revisiting the Over-Pole for a slightly bolder and more robust final product.

The updated 2025 model extends the diameter to 39mm, bulking up the architecture of the case, while simultaneously slimming down the profile. According to Rado, the manual movement, the exact same one seen in the 2022 edition, does not feature a counterweight winder, meaning that it can be placed inside a much thinner case—in this instance, just 10.9mm. The refined proportions are a huge upgrade on the previous model, with the 39mm case size keeping the vintage styling paramount while better serving the timepiece’s unique dial layout—and that’s important.

Rado has adorned the latest Over-Pole with a bidirectional rotatable bezel crafted from black high-tech ceramic. The darker hues provide a stunning visual contrast to the yellow gold-coloured PVD-finished case and matching crown, with the silver sunray dial adding a healthy dose of vintage charm. Again, the Worldtimer function takes precedence, with major city names permanently laser-engraved and lacquered into the high-tech ceramic to mark the various time zones, which you can select by rotating the bezel.

The gold approach continues with the curved, yellow gold-coloured indexes, while the light-green luminescent dots that mark the 24-hour time scale are bolstered by vintage-white Super-LumiNova. Of course, the customary Rado moving anchor symbol appears just below 12 o’clock, this time appearing in a yellow gold colour, set against a ruby background.

As mentioned, the timepiece is powered by the calibre R862 movement, a visually-stunning addition that features Côtes-de-Genève surface finishing, annealed blue screws and gold-coloured markings. Importantly, Rado has made this visible through the use of a second sapphire glass in the case back, allowing you to see the specially engraved sequence number in the edition at a glance.

The latest Rado Captain Cook Over-Pole comes with a polished and brushed rice-grain-type yellow gold PVD-coated stainless steel bracelet with a triple-fold clasp. However, my preference is undoubtedly the sporty, brown vintage-style leather strap. The interplay of yellow gold, brown, and sunray silver makes for a surprisingly harmonious visual contrast that feels innately more rugged and fitting than the rice-grain bracelet. That’s all subjective, but when you consider the outstanding internal movement and Rado’s clear intention to market this piece as an adventure watch, leather just fits the bill.

The timepiece also comes with a practical leather pouch to store the watch and a spare bracelet, along with an official limited edition certificate. Admittedly, at AUD$4,700, the 2025 Rado Captain Cook Over-Pole is a little more expensive than its predecessor, but with the level of finishing involved and the stellar movement inside, it’s hard to deny the value on offer.

Rado Captain Cook Over-Pole

• Brand: Rado
• Model: Captain Cook Over-Pole
• Reference: Ref. R32193018
• Diameter: 39mm
• Thickness: 10.9mm
• Movement: Rado calibre R862
• Power Reserve: 80 hours
• Water-Resistance: 100 metres
• Price: AUD$4,700