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Opinions wanted: Oris Aquis vs Rado Captain Cook 42mm

21K views 44 replies 18 participants last post by  faheemyazdani  
#1 ·
I'm looking to purchase my first real luxury watch and because my lifestyle is more casual and I don't have an office job any longer, I decided an every day watch like a Dive watch would be nice.
I do really like dressier pieces like the Longines Moonphase, Nomos Orion, Baume & Mercier Classima and Clifton Baumatic, but I wouldn't see myself wearing them a lot at this moment in time. I will probably cross that bridge in a couple of years time.

So the 2 watches I have my sights on are:

1. Rado Captain Cook Bronze
https://www.rado.com/en_gb/collections/captain-cook/captain-cook/R32504315

Or

the SS version
https://www.rado.com/en_gb/collections/captain-cook/captain-cook/R32505313

2. Oris Aquis Green dial on bracelet
https://www.oris.ch/en/watch/oris-aquis-date/01-733-7730-4157-07-8-24-05peb

Or

Source of Life on bracelet
https://www.oris.ch/en/watch/oris-source-of-life-limited-edition/01-733-7730-4125-set-mb

Or

Titanium on bracelet
https://www.oris.ch/en/watch/oris-aquis-titanium-date/01-733-7730-7153-07-8-24-15peb

I just love all of them! I'm torn.

The Rado had 80hr power reserve with a better movement than the Aquis, but the Aquis just looks fantastic. But then the Captain Cook looks more unique and has that kind of vintage theme going on.

The other thing that slight puts me off the Aquis but is by no means a deal breaker is the custom bands. I wish it didn't have that design. I like to wear natos and not necessarily have to use Oris OEM straps etc

The other question I had was, what are people's thoughts on bronze watches. Is it stronger than SS? I know patina looks lovely on them but I have this thing that I like my watches to look shiny and new.
But the Bronze and green Captain Cook just look gorgeous!

In an ideal world, I'd like both, but I can only afford to buy one at the moment.

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#2 · (Edited)
Both are really nice, but I vote for the Aquis. It's a beautiful watch.

I wouldn't necessarily say the C07.611 movement - which I think is in the CC - is better than the Selitta 200-1 in the Oris. I have several watches with the 200-1 movement and they all perform very well. A lot of people look down on then...not really sure why as they are proven to be good movements. They do have a 38 hr power reserve as opposed to the 80 of the Rado's movement, but I rotate watches enough to where that's not an issue for me in any way.

Movement maintenance/repair may be a consideration. I'm not a movement expert, but the Rado's movement is designed a little differently than a standard 2824/200-1. I'm not sure of all the differences, but I know regulation is done differently (not the single screw adjusting the spring).

The Aquis is unique and, therefore, looks like nothing else. It has an originality about it. It comes on a top-notch bracelet if you choose to go that route. The machining is nicely done. It has a well-thought-out design. Oris has a good reputation. And you can't beat the legibility of the Aquis.

I'll post pics of mine via editing this post when I get somewhere that I can.

Edit...pics added. Also, regarding the proprietary lugs, finding strap/bracelet options would be an issue. That said, this is by far the most comfortable bracelet I have experienced. The links articulate so much they can actually stack on top of one another. It's the one watch I have where I've never even considered a change. Below are some pics.





and my blue one...notice how flat the bracelet lies and how much the links articulate.




All of this said...find examples of each to try on and see which one you like best.
 
#3 ·
Both are really nice, but I vote for the Aquis. It's a beautiful watch.

I wouldn't necessarily say the C07.611 movement - which I think is in the CC - is better than the Selitta 200-1 in the Oris. I have several watches with the 200-1 movement and they all perform very well. A lot of people look down on then...not really sure why as they are proven to be good movements. They do have a 38 hr power reserve as opposed to the 80 of the Rado's movement, but I rotate watches enough to where that's not an issue for me in any way.

Movement maintenance/repair may be a consideration. I'm not a movement expert, but the Rado's movement is designed a little differently than a standard 2824/200-1. I'm not sure of all the differences, but I know regulation is done differently (not the single screw adjusting the spring).

The Aquis is unique and, therefore, looks like nothing else. It has an originality about it. It comes on a top-notch bracelet if you choose to go that route. The machining is nicely done. It has a well-thought-out design. Oris has a good reputation. And you can't beat the legibility of the Aquis.

I'll post pics of mine via editing this post when I get somewhere that I can.
Yeah, the movement is not a huge deal. I mean I am quite bummed that Oris decided to uses custom straps. I mean why?!
I want the freedom to use a leather or mesh or nato depending on my mood. I think that's what's holding me back the most.

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#4 ·
Proprietary lugs are always a deal breaker for me personally. I might consider it if the bracelet is so utterly spectacular and comfortable that you don't want to remove it. A tool-less microadjustment feature on the clasp is a must-have to meet that standard, and Oris comes up short there.
 
#6 ·
I hear you on that and I agree.
Now if they had used the quick-release pin method on the Rado, it would have been perfect.
I guess I have to see how good the bracelet is on the Aquis. The titanium Aquis is probably my favourite, followed by the Source of Life. Damn gorgeous watches but frustratingly falling short. Question is, can I live with that?
Currently I just cannot see it

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#5 ·
Rado
 
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#10 ·
I'm not a leather-on-a-diver guy. So dive watches that use proprietary lugs as part of their design like the Oris Aquis and Seiko Transocean do not bother me. In fact, they are among my favorites as the integrated lugs in these two examples make them wear very comfortably for their size. I have the Oris tri-wing tool for strap changes. It came as part of the Regulator "Der Meistertaucher" kit but can be purchased separately for around $70 I think. I use it to move the rubber straps and bracelets around, and I absolutely love the Aquis on both. I like the Captain Cook as well. I might end up with one on bracelet if the right deal comes along but the Aquis gets my vote.





 
#13 ·
I'm not a leather-on-a-diver guy. So dive watches that use proprietary lugs as part of their design like the Oris Aquis and Seiko Transocean do not bother me. In fact, they are among my favorites as the integrated lugs in these two examples make them wear very comfortably for their size. I have the Oris tri-wing tool for strap changes. It came as part of the Regulator "Der Meistertaucher" kit but can be purchased separately for around $70 I think. I use it to move the rubber straps and bracelets around, and I absolutely love the Aquis on both. I like the Captain Cook as well. I might end up with one on bracelet if the right deal comes along but the Aquis gets my vote.

View attachment 15235737

View attachment 15235739

View attachment 15235741
Wow, you have 5 Aquis and 5 Monsters [emoji15][emoji44]

I take it you're into your dive watches in a big way [emoji848][emoji12]

I know some people cry bloody murder when they see a Dive watch on a leather strap. I get that. But sometimes some dive watches can really get away with being worn with a smart casual outfit and you just want to wear it with a nice leather strap.

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#22 ·
Can't comment on the Rado and even though I love the Aquis to bits I would steer clear of their titanium as it loves scratches, besides, you've got the green on your shortlist so it's a bit of a no brainer.
Yes, I only realised yesterday that Oris use Grade 2 titanium as oppose to the much more scratch-resistant Grade 5 used by Omega.
So titanium is out of the question now

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#23 · (Edited)
Rado. Thinner, lighter. I'm biased (37mm version)

Whoever said the Rado is more like jewelry, they're right, it's beautiful. To me a watch is jewelry, so I love it.

That said, I do think the 37mm proportions work better. I've not seen the 42mm in person, but it looks slightly less perfect to my eyes.

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Image
 
#27 ·
I would go with the Captain Cook, all the way.

Longer PR, many more strap options, more distinct looks, beautiful dial colors, contrasting date wheel (red), wears smaller than the 42mm leads you to believe, flies under the radar, the domed sapphire glass is a sight to behold, the BOR bracelet looks awesome and I have a strong dislike of bracelets, so that says a lot.
 
#37 ·
I would go with the Captain Cook, all the way.

Longer PR, many more strap options, more distinct looks, beautiful dial colors, contrasting date wheel (red), wears smaller than the 42mm leads you to believe, flies under the radar, the domed sapphire glass is a sight to behold, the BOR bracelet looks awesome and I have a strong dislike of bracelets, so that says a lot.
I went to the shop to try both on and the Captain Cook just didn't sit well on my wrist. Even though the lug-to-lug is 1mm less on the Rado, the lugs are long on it and they weren't hugging the wrist as well as the Aquis.

The larger Aquis at 43.5mm fit perfect and was a lot more comfortable because of the shorter lugs the way the bracelet meets the watch. The transition is smooth and it gives the watch a smaller feel.

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#29 ·
I have had both, but I kept the green SS Rado, simply as its more unique and beautiful. It also has slightly higher status for non-watch folk, but that may not be relevant

Just to note, the Oris comes in 39.5mm, 41.5mm and 43.5mm. Unless you have a large wrist and don't mind a heavy watch, I would look at the smaller two sizes.
The Rado is slimmer and wears lighter then its size would indicate

The Oris advantages are a display back and a buckle with 3 levels of micro-adjustment - however its a custom connection so you can't use a generic strap
The Rado has a new quick release strap/bracelet system which is great. It also has a more modern and superior movement technically.

Overall, the bubble crystal and starburst graduated dial on the Rado is just gorgeous, unique. The chunky hands and pips in whitewash as so excellent to see, not that the Oris hands are not good as well

You should buy whatever moves you ...
 
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#38 ·
The Oris fit better on my wrist than the Rado. I tried on both the 39.5mm and 43.5mm ones and to my surprise, the latter didn't look too big on my wrist. It wears more like a 41.5mm, and that's perfectly acceptable for my wrist. I usually like my dive watches around the 40-42mm mark, and my dress watches around 38-40mm.

I think both movements are good. My eyes are on the Source of Life Aquis. It looks gorgeous.

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#33 ·
Are Rado available to be purchased at grey market dealers?

Price may be a consideration - I paid roughly $1400 for my Aquis (MSRP over $2000). I noticed the Rado CC are $2000+, if they have to be purchased through Rado that is a significant difference imo.
Rado can be purchased through some ADs at a significant discount. For example Bloomingdale's currently has several versions of the Rado CC on sale at 30% off bringing a $2,000 model down to $1,400. Recently they had a similar 30% off deal that was also accepting an additional promo code, so with a 15% new customer code it reduced a $2,000 Rado CC to $1,190. Some brands they sell like Longines are not offered with their sale discounts, which is interesting since they're both Swatch companies.
 
#32 ·
All things being equal, my vote goes to Oris; but I'm admittedly biased.

Having said that, if not being able to wear the watch on NATO is a deal breaker, then you have your answer. Do know that the rubber strap for the Aquis is very comfortable and has tool-less microadjust.

Regards,
Alysandir
 
#44 ·
#45 ·
The small seconds of the GBR ruins the symmetry for me. I was referring to the Source of Life model


I think it's the best of the bunch. It has a Tungsten bezel insert which is super cool [emoji4]

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