In 2023, Rado introduced highly legible skeleton dials in the True Square and Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic series. This year, the brand expands both skeleton lineups with a captivating deep blue shade, a color that speaks of urban sophistication and late-night charm.

Are we talking about dial colors? No, this is Rado. Both the True Square Skeleton and Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton feature full ceramic cases in this hue with matching straps for a compelling monochromatic effect, offset by the exposed clockwork.

True Square Skeleton

In the historical timeline of Rado’s product portfolio, square-shaped timepieces have been in existence since the mid-1970s. However, the 1990 Ceramica model stands out as a hallmark in the brand’s lineage, representing Rado’s first square watch with its bracelet, crown and case crafted from high-tech ceramic. This pioneering design laid the foundation for the signature aesthetic synonymous with all of Rado’s ceramic watches. The Ceramica model’s notable sibling, the True Square, artfully balances the stringent geometry of its square casing by incorporating softly rounded corners.

The True Square Skeleton features a distinctive skeletonization design that sets it apart. Two parallel bridges run across the dial horizontally, creating three distinct areas. These bridges not only highlight the square case’s geometry, but also provide a sophisticated and subtle way to showcase the inner mechanics of the timepiece. Attached to the slim peripheral chapter ring are the applied luminescent hour markers and minute track, with Rado’s signature moving anchor symbol affixed to the lower bridge.

The latest model of the True Square Skeleton in deep blue comes with a matching blue rubber strap that complements the polished case, along with a redesigned clasp that uses a high-tech ceramic cover, also in deep blue. Inside the watch, protected by a flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both surfaces, is Rado’s R808 automatic movement. This allows for a full view of the intricate skeletonized movement and its beautiful geometrics and fascinating operation. From the balance and hands to the minute-wheel bridge, barrel and movement jewels, all the elements are openly visible to admire.

The newly designed central train bridge, previously featured on the skeletonized version of the Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic, eliminates the need for a dial. There is a nice contrast between the deep blue parallel bridges, luminescent hands, and the anthracite coated center wheel bridge and horizontal Côtes de Genève decoration on the dial side.

Rado True Square Skeleton Tech Specs

Reference: R27178205
Movement: Self-winding caliber R808; 80-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes and seconds
Case: 38mm × 44.2mm × 9.7mm; polished navy blue high-tech ceramic, with sandblasted titanium and sapphire crystal caseback; water resistant to 50m
Dial: Two-level, with skeletonized top plate; white Super-LumiNova filled, rhodium colored hour markers
Strap: Navy blue rubber; folding clasp with polished navy blue high-tech ceramic cover
Price: USD 2,500

Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton

The original Captain Cook watch by Rado was a pivotal advancement in the realm of dive watches, engineered to endure the most demanding conditions of underwater exploration. Constructed with a robust stainless steel case, a rotating bezel and water resistance of up to 300m, this timepiece quickly became a timeless icon and established a benchmark for all subsequent dive watches.

Throughout the years, Rado has consistently innovated the features and materials to enhance the Captain Cook watch line. Rado introduced high-tech ceramic in 1986. Through a precise and rigorous process, extremely pure and finely calibrated powders of aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide and silicon nitride with perfectly uniform grain sizes are shaped into a specific form, and then baked at a high temperature. Rado’s high-tech ceramic achieves an extraordinary level of density and hardness, standing at 1,250 on the Vickers scale.

It’s not just about the durability, lightness or scratch resistance of the material. The real charm lies in its properties: able to be rendered in a range of colors, high- tech ceramic is also soft, smooth and incredibly comfortable against the skin.

In 2023, Rado furnished the Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton in contrasting tones of rich rose gold and masculine anthracite gray. The new colorway features a matte finish in deep navy blue, and is particularly well- suited to the sportier Captain Cook. The bezel teeth are polished to a bright shine, complementing the signature box-shaped sapphire crystal.

The dial is a minimal array of indexes and hands to keep a clear view of the skeleton movement at work and is treated with Super-LumiNova to enhance readability for low-light conditions. The deep blue color scheme is well-balanced with exposed movement featuring a nickel brushed colored center wheel bridge and horizontal brushed decoration on the mainplate.

The watch is water resistant to 300m and is paired with a sporty, adventure-ready rubber strap in a matching blue color, offering a touch of everyday wearability next to the sophisticated high-tech ceramic case. The rubber strap is light and body-friendly, quickly adapting to the wearer’s skin temperature for maximum comfort.

The Rado R808 is a Swiss-made automatic movement crafted by the experts at ETA’s movement division within the Swatch Group. It features 25 jewels and has a power reserve of up to 80 hours. The movement is fitted with an antimagnetic Nivachron hairspring that exceeds standard test requirements from three to five positions for higher accuracy, offering exceptional shock resistance as well as resistance to magnetic fields and temperature changes.

Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Skeleton Tech Specs

Reference: R32153209
Movement: Self-winding caliber R808; 80-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes and seconds
Case: 43mm × 14.6mm; matte navy blue high-tech ceramic, with navy blue colored PVD-coated titanium and sapphire crystal caseback; water resistant to 300m
Dial: Matte blue tinted sapphire crystal; white Super-LumiNova filled, matte rhodium-colored hour markers
Strap: Matte navy blue rubber; folding clasp with matte navy blue high-tech ceramic cover
Price: USD 4,400