Last week, Rado launched their 2024 novelties headlined by the Captain Cook and Anatom at iconic Sydney restaurant, Quay with Sydney Harbour providing the perfect backdrop!
Late last week, Rado showcased their 2024 novelties, along with other collections to the watch and lifestyle media community amidst a backdrop of Sydney Harbour, Circular Quay, and hosted at Peter Gilmore’s Quay Restaurant. Snow Egg anyone? Having been to last year’s launch, we can safely say that this year, Rado took it up a notch with the location, the watches, and presentation.
Given the brand will be focusing more on their Captain Cook line this year, the backdrop of Sydney Harbour felt appropriate. Not only is it one of the most recognisable harbours in the world, it is after all where Captain Cook landed in 1788. This and the maritime and adventurous connections are not lost on us. Even Captain Cook Cruises made a cameo to celebrate. Ok, maybe that wasn’t planned, but a nice coincidence nonetheless.
Heading up the stairs to the Upper Tower private dining, guests had 270-degree views of Sydney Harbour, from the Harbour Bridge to the Opera House and down towards the city end of Circular Quay. Not a bad way to spend a Thursday afternoon – good company, nice watches and a view like that!
Prior to seating, Rado had specifically chosen watches for every guest – this was a perfect touch and allowed each of us to put on and wear the chosen piece for the duration of the afternoon. Between the new Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic, to the recently released Anatom and the new Centrix Open Heart, there was something to wear and admire throughout the afternoon.
I sense I chose my attire correctly with the green shirt to match the green dial of the new Rado Anatom, which admittedly was the first time seeing them in person, and loved the way the dials are done – almost mimicking a wooden surface that glows in blue, brown or green.
Whilst not all brands can do this for events, we felt that this was a great move from Rado for two reasons. The first meant that you didn’t need to worry about what watch to wear to a brand event. It meant that you could arrive and place the piece on the wrist (which we were informed prior to the event). Secondly, whilst guests are mingling and talking, you had the piece on your wrist, and you found yourself checking out others to see what they had on. It was a great way to see all the watches on the wrists, which let’s face it, is the natural setting for a watch!
Canapés, Champagne and wine were eagerly taken up as they mingled and showed off the watches. Whilst the watches were the star of the show, the food played a close second to this!
Savoury Canoli 
Deep Fried Prawn Dumpling 
Salmon Roe and Cream Cheese Pancakes 
Anancini Balls
Guests were treated to a beautiful 4-course lunch that featured a selection of some of Quay’s best dishes, all designed by Executive Chef, Peter Gilmore and put together by head Chef’s Peter Crisante and Tim Mifsud. To say the food was good would be an understatement. Standout dishes were most probably the Entrée of Wild Blacklip Abalone, Octopus, Raw Abrolhos Island Scallops, Palm Heart, Seaweed and Aged Vinegar and the White Coral for dessert was also delicious.
Abalone, Ocotpus and Scallops 
White Coral
Australian General Manager for Rado, Caroline Rochfort opened the lunch with a thank you and a small spiel about the new pieces. Caroline is so down to earth and personable with a passion for the brand, and this shows through in the way she talks about the watches and the brand. Being in the watch world, passion goes a long way, both in media and at the brand level, and as a passionate collector and enthusiast myself, I always love talking to people from watch brands who share the same level of love as myself.
On display were all of Rado’s latest releases to see and go hands-on with. Some of the pieces that caught our eye were the Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Olive Green (which you can read all about in our release article here), the Anatom’s of course, as this was the first time we’ve been able to see them in person, and they didn’t disappoint, and a range of ladies’ pieces, such as the Centrix Open Heart in both white and black colourways with the two-tone rose gold.
Blue Anatom 
Captain Cook Ceramic 
True Round Open Heart 
True Square Special Edition 
True Square Open Heart 
Centrix Open Heart
We also were able to get a first look at a new piece being released on the 15th of May – whilst we can’t say a lot, it’s a great release and stay tuned for our Hands-On release article in a week or so!
Ending the lunch, we begrudgingly handed back our watches – I did almost forget as the Anatom does wear very well and comfortably. One reason it’s called the Anatom is due to it being curved to fit more anatomically to the wrist, and I’m pleased to report it does that. And due to the rubber strap and ceramic case, it’s light too. With one last look out at Sydney Harbour, a wave to the Captain Cook Cruise boat that sailed past (again, totally not timed!) it was time to head off back to the airport – a short sweet visit and a great lunch thanks to Rado.
