HyperChrome Captain Cook (11773/2)

The Rado HyperChrome Captain Cook 11773/2 stands out for its rare vintage design, short production run, and strong link to early dive watches. Its compact size, rotating anchor logo, and functional features give it both character and history, making it highly collectible and distinctive

The Rado HyperChrome Captain Cook 11773/2 has a clean and functional vintage design. The black dial looks simple but bold, with luminous hour markers and wide hands that are easy to read. A small date window sits at 3 o’clock, and the rotating anchor logo adds a unique touch. The stainless steel case measures about 36.5 mm, which wears compact and classic on the wrist. It uses a domed plexiglass crystal that gives a warm vintage look and slight distortion at angles. The steel bracelet feels sturdy and matches the tool-watch style, with a simple folding clasp.

Inside, the watch runs on an automatic movement, commonly the AS 1859 caliber. This movement beats at a slower vintage frequency and offers around 40 hours of power reserve. It uses 25 jewels and keeps time reliably when serviced. The watch also includes practical features like central seconds and a date function. The movement is not highly decorated, but it is known for durability and steady performance, which suits the tool-watch purpose of the Captain Cook.

The Captain Cook line first appeared in the 1960s during the rise of dive watches. The 11773/2 belongs to this early era and reflects Rado’s push into sporty tool watches. The model takes its name from the explorer Captain James Cook, linking the watch to adventure and exploration. Production lasted only a few years, which makes original pieces rare today. This reference also helped introduce design features like the rotating anchor logo, which became a signature for Rado. Modern Captain Cook models draw strong inspiration from this vintage design, keeping its legacy alive.

The watch shows visible wear from regular use. The crystal has noticeable scratches, and the dial shows small marks and aging. The case and bracelet have surface scratches and light scuffs, but the overall condition still looks solid and honest for its age.

What do the different grading scores mean?

• BN 9.9: Brand new and unworn, with no signs of use.
• UN 9.5: Like new and unworn, but may lack original packaging or materials such as the box, links, tags, or bezel protector.
• LN 9.0: Like new and unworn, but only includes the watch without papers, box, or accessories.
• MT 8.5: Mint condition, lightly used with minor surface scratches or wear. Unpolished.
• VG 8.0: Moderately used, with scratches and one or two nicks on the case or crystal. Shows signs of polishing. The bracelet remains snug with minimal wear.
• GD 7.5: Shows signs of daily wear but is not abused, with noticeable polishing on the case. The bracelet shows clear signs of daily wear.

Watches with a rating below GD 7.5 are not listed for bidding to ensure that only high-quality timepieces are available to our members.