Whenever there’s a Grand Slam competition like the ongoing Wimbledon tournament, people seem to be riding on a tennis high. But for those who are really into the sport, whether as players or spectators, that fever lasts the whole year round as there are many competitions around. One of the oldest competitions still around is the Swiss Open in Gstaad, which has been around since 1897. Rado has been partnering with them since 1985, and the upcoming tournament this July 14-20 will mark the 40th year of that relationship.
The Swiss luxury watch brand has just unveiled a remarkable tribute to its enduring relationship with professional tennis: the Captain Cook x Tennis Limited Edition. The watch showcases Rado’s mastery of materials in a compact 39mm stainless steel case that strikes an ideal balance between sportiness and sophistication. The polished case features a distinctive turning bezel with a brushed plasma ceramic insert, engraved with white lacquered markers and a luminous triangle at 12 o’clock. The box-shaped sapphire crystal, crystallized at over 2,000°C and coated with anti-reflective layers on both sides, provides exceptional clarity and scratch resistance.
Designer: Rado
What truly sets this timepiece apart are its clever tennis-themed elements. The ruthenium-to-white gradient dial creates a subtle visual rhythm that evokes the flow of a tennis match. Four dark yellow Super-LumiNova dots mark the 3, 6, 8, and 12 o’clock positions, representing tennis scoring: 15, 30, 40, and game point. The second hand features a dark yellow Super-LumiNova tip, while the iconic rotating anchor symbol sits on a ruby backplate, adding to the dial’s meticulous attention to detail.
Powering this limited edition is the Rado Calibre R763, a self-winding movement engineered with 25 jewels and regulated in five positions. The movement features an antimagnetic Nivachron hairspring and delivers an impressive 80-hour power reserve, ensuring reliable timekeeping under demanding conditions. Despite its sophisticated mechanics, the watch maintains 300 meters of water resistance, making it suitable for both sporting activities and everyday wear.
The Captain Cook x Tennis Limited Edition excels in adaptability thanks to its innovative EasyClip system. The watch comes with a polished and brushed stainless steel rice-grain bracelet, plus three additional NATO-style straps in blue, green, and orange. Each strap represents different tennis court surfaces: blue for hard courts, green for grass courts like Wimbledon, and orange for clay courts. This quartet of options allows wearers to customize their look effortlessly.
Restricted to just 1,985 pieces, this number pays homage to the year Rado first entered the tennis world. The screw-down caseback features a special engraving reading “LIMITED EDITION, ONE OUT OF 1985” alongside embossed textures representing the three main tennis surfaces: grass, clay, and hard court. The Rado Captain Cook x Tennis Limited Edition is available now for $2,800 USD, complete with all four strap options presented in a leather travel pouch.
The post Rado releases Captain Cook x Tennis Limited Edition to celebrate 40 years at the Swiss Open first appeared on Yanko Design.