Rado, known as the master of materials, celebrates High-Tech Ceramic’s 40th Anniversary in Sydney, with an elegant evening and the Australian debut of the latest Captain Cook
This year, Rado is celebrating 40 years of its High-Tech Ceramic. However, the story didn’t exactly start there for Rado. If we wind our watches back to the ’60s – 1962 in fact, Rado released the DiaStar in a substance they named Hardmetal. It was a cool name that could double for a rock band or music genre. I digress. Essentially, blending Tungsten Carbide Ceramic with a metal binder to create a material that looked like steel, but was lighter and tougher.
This foray into material science and work with ceramics led to the development of high-tech ceramics. We first saw the brand release High-Tech Ceramic in 1986 with the Rado Integral, but the successful Captain Cook line didn’t receive the High-Tech Ceramic treatment until 2021. Drawing on the traditional design cues from the vintage and previous Captain Cook models, Rado combined them with its use of High-Tech Ceramic, and the rest, as they say, is history.
A New Captain Cook To Celebrate High-Tech Ceramics’ 40th Birthday
So, it goes without saying, Rado is celebrating this milestone with the release of a new Captain Cook in a plasma High-Tech Ceramic, but also an evening of amazing Greek food at Sydney’s Alpha Dining. But first, let’s have a look at the new watch.
Last year, Rado launched two new 43mm Captain Cook Chronographs in High-Tech Ceramic – one in black with rose gold PVD accents, which I reviewed, and you can read about it here, the other in a grey ‘plasma’ High-Tech Ceramic, with a green sunburst dial. This year, the brand has added to these two pieces with the launch of a Plasma High-Tech Ceramic with gold accents and a blue sunburst dial with a matching blue ceramic bezel.
It takes on the same characteristics as the prior black version in the sense that it is a 43 mm case with a 49.8mm lug-to-lug measurement and a thickness of 16.4mm with the rose gold PVD accents on the crown, pushers, bezel and dial accents. What changes here is the dial, now in a sunray finished blue – similar to that found on the Captain Cook Bronze Chronograph
In addition, the case and bracelet have been given the Plasma High-Tech Ceramic Treatment. The Plasma version of High-Tech Ceramic is called this due it’s liquid like look, done in metallic grey that’s almost pearlescent and with polished centre links. It is probably my favourite version of the material if I’m honest.
Inside is the R801 automatic calibre that beats away at 4Hz / 28,800 VpH and has a 59-hour power reserve. It has the antimagnetic Nivachron™ hairspring that is now a feature in many Swatch group ETA based movements, and is tested to exceed standards in 5 positions for accuracy.
Rado Celebrates High-Tech-Ceramics’ 40th In Sydney
We only turn 40 once, well, technically speaking. I’ve been 40 for a few years now. However, Rado has celebrated the 40th anniversary of High-Tech Ceramic in style at Sydney’s Alpha Dining. Alph Dining is Sydney’s premier Greek restaurant in the CBD.
Stepping into the venue, you are greeted with white-washed walls, carved stone work and of course, wine. We headed upstairs to level 1’s “The Gallery” for opening remarks and pre-dinner drinks. Michael Graham, Rado’s brand Manager for Australia, opened up the night.
Stepping into the main area for dinner, two long tables awaited guests for dinner, and a white, misty smoke clung to the ground in a nightclub sort of vibe. And all around were many examples of Rado timepieces that are made up of High-Tech Ceramic.
Once the smoke cleared, it was time to get seated. Finding my place, I sat down with the other invited guests and spoke to those around me, what they thought of the collections, and stories about our experiences with Rado – which there were quite a few.
Now, I can’t write this article without mentioning the food. One of the perks of doing what I do is that I get to eat some delicious food throughout the year at different events, be they cocktail events or sit-down dinners. I’ve not eaten at Alpha Dining before, so this was a great way to test the menu, and it did not disappoint.
As much fun as the food was, people were eager to get their hands on the watches between courses. Myself included. Always a fan favourite, especially for the ladies, is the Centrix collection. These are a great blend of sporty and dress, and the High-Tech Ceramic cases and bracelets assist with elevating these watches to something a little more special.
But of course, the Rado Captain Cook Plasma High-Tech Ceramic made its Australian debut, and with only one model on display, it was in high demand. Rado has done a good job with the colourway on this model. As I mentioned, the Plasma variation is my favourite when it comes to High-Tech Ceramic. The blue dial with gold is always a good idea, and rarely disappoints. Put all this together, and you are onto a winner.
And with this, the evening drew to a close as the lights to indicate our dinner was over came on. It was a great night, and a good way for Rado to celebrate the 40 years of High-Tech Ceramic. Thank you, Rado, for having us, and we look forward to celebrating the next occasion.