DIVE TIME

The new high-tech ceramic models in Rado's iconic Captain Cook family are now equipped with a skeletonised calibre, endowing them with a sporty, contemporary sophistication.

- ANANDHI GOPINATH

Although waterproof watches were created as early as the 1920s, it was in the 1950s or so that the idea of a diving watch started to become popular-and as we now know, the popularity of this category of timekeepers has continued to soar. The enduring appeal of these mechanical timepieces lies in their perceived longevity and robustness, traits that starkly contrast with the ephemeral nature of smartwatches and other transient electronic gadgets.

Diving watches exemplify this durability, embodying the idea that if a watch can withstand the ocean's pressures, it can endure daily challenges with ease.

Moreover, with a bezel capable of performing many chronograph functions without the associated complexity and expense, diving watches offer a reliable, functional, and versatile timepiece, making them the perfect all-around choice for many wtach enthusiasts.

JUMPING IN

Rado was one of many watch companies to wade into this segment of watchmaking, its Captain Cook series a testament to the brand's dedication to exploration and innovation. First introduced in 1962, the collection was named after British explorer James Cook and quickly became iconic due to its distinctive pivoting anchor. This feature, mounted on a lubricated ruby bearing, indicated when the watch needed servicing. The design of the Captain Cook line hasn't altered all that much over the years, outside of introducing Rado's high-tech ceramic to it in 2021, but modern iterations of these iconic dive watches boast subtle tweaks that endow them with a contemporary sophistication.