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You Don’t Need A Yacht to Own a Vintage Yacht Timer Watch
Some of the most stylish and unique race timers built exclusively for sailing on the high seas.
By J.D. DiGiovanni
Running starts aren’t usually allowed in races, but a regatta isn’t a typical race. Boats can’t neatly line up and jump off the blocks like a runner would, so they instead build speed heading towards the start. Skippers have to be careful, however, not to pass the starting line before the starting gun is fired. This balancing act of building too much speed and being steeply penalized versus not quite building enough speed can determine the race before it’s even fully gotten underway. That’s why, beginning in the 1950s, watch brands began producing yacht timers .
In the beginning, these watches primarily featured rotating bezels that skippers could use to track the time before the start of the race. The watch would be set on one of the first series of horns blown leading up to the start of the race, giving an accurate countdown to the start. Of course, over time, watchmakers began to innovate how this countdown timer was displayed. It’s these more complicated versions of the vintage yacht timer, with their innovative sub-displays and colorful counters, that really catch the eye.
Memosail V.I.P Steel Yacht Timer
What we like: Rather than featuring a rotating bezel, the navy dial set in this squat 41mm case features a cut-out section that displays a 10-minute countdown. Both that countdown timer and the minute and hour hand are driven by a Swiss manual winding valjoux 7737 Caliber movement. Overall, this yacht timer looks every bit like a vintage tool watch from the 1970s – and it’s all the better for it. From the seller: In nice, unpolished vintage condition. Blue dial goes from sea blue to almost black under different light. Fitted with a new nato strap and ready to be worn.
Lemania Elvstrom Automatic Yacht Timer
What we like: Rather than relying on a numbered countdown, this big 44.7mm vintage yacht timer from Lemania Elvstrom features five cut-out markers between the 10 and 2 o’clock indices. When the countdown is set on the watch, those markers go from grey to orange and then to blue. The complication is a clever one – and it wouldn’t work as well as it does if it wasn’t for the fact that everything from the case to the dial and the sting-ray strap (yes, you read that right) wasn’t so muted and understated. From the seller: Automatic Lemania in-house caliber 1345 movement. Fantastic condition case, with original sticker on the back. Very small wear on the glass, nothing major, and it is not scratched, just the wear of the AR.
Yema Yachtingraf
What we like: While the previous two watches we’ve included here relied on cut-out displays on their respective dials, this watch features a countdown that looks more like a subdial. The decidedly more conservative approach to this display makes it a bit easier to cross over to daily wear while still retaining all the functionality needed to gauge the right approach speed. From the seller: The watch is in excellent condition over ll, with only slightest of wear marks and slight signs of previous polishing. The black dial is clean and uniform with crisp printing throughout. Luminous hour maker material is intact. Baton hour and minute hands show signs of having been re-lumed. Acrylic bezel is in very good condition with a few areas of superficial chipping. Includes one 20mm brown leather strap with contrasting stitching.
Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here .
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Heuer Yacht Timer 9901
Model code: 9901.
Our price: £450
This increasingly rare Heuer stopwatches celebrates Heuer’s often understated reputation in the world of nautical timing. Like the iconic Skipper model, this yacht timer features a large red, white a blue segmented sub dial to allow for easy reading when timing a yacht race. This particular example remains in fantastic condition and comes in its original packaging.
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Luxury TAG Heuer Yacht Timer Watches index
by LuxPrice-index ©
Quotations from second hand watches TAG Heuer Yacht Timer
Price of second hand watches TAG Heuer Yacht Timer
- TAG Heuer Yacht Timer ref.Tag Heuer - 503512
- TAG Heuer Yacht Timer ref.Tag Heuer - 653515
See the reference quote of TAG Heuer Yacht Timer
On Collector Square
Details (9 results)
- 1100 - 2200
Heuer. A Stainless Steel Keyless Open Face Timer
Minimise description
Read our expert's description
- 12000 - 30000
- 1102 - 2754
- 1544 - 3861
Heuer A STAINLESS STEEL WRIST STOPWATCH WITH 5-MINUTE COUNTDOWN REF 503.512 YACHT TIMER CIRCA 1970
- 15000 - 25000
- 12239 - 20398
- 17150 - 28583
Heuer Leonidas. A rare and attractive and unusual stainless steel yacht timer chronograph wristwatch with date and bracelet
- 7500 - 12000
A LOT OF TWO YACHT TIMERS.A)Retailed by Abercrombie & Fitch. Made circa 1965. Rare.composite waterproof counter designed for boat races, with.central 5-minute register. Accompanied by original fitted box..B) Heuer, Swiss, Yacht Timer, Ref. 203.505. Made c
Heuer ref, 653.515 yacht timer steel.heuer, swiss, yacht timer, ref. 653.515. made circa 1970..fine and unusual, large, composite waterproof wrist counter.designed for boat races, with central 5-minute register..accompanied by fitted box and guarantee..to.
C. Two-body, frosted steel, large button to start, stop and reset..D. White, subdivided into fi ve colored sections numbered 0.through 4, outer 5 second divisions..M. Cal. Cal. 17’’’, rhodium-plated, 7 jewels, monometallic.balance, shock absorber, blued steel fl at balance spring..Dial, case and movement signed..Diam 53 mm. Thickness 16 mm.
Heuer - Yacht Timer.Heuer, Swiss, Yacht Timer, Ref. 653.515. Made circa 1970..Fine, unusual, large, water-resistant, stainless steel wrist timer designed for boat races, with central 5-minute.register. Accompanied by a fitted Heuer box..To be sold without
c. Two-body, solid, frosted steel, screwed-down case back, large winding crown and button to start, stop and.reset..d. White, subdivided into five colored sections numbered 0 through 4, outer 5-second Arabic divisions. Red.arrow hand for the seconds and dart shaped hand for the 5-minute register..m. Cal. 17’’’, rhodium-plated, 7 jewels, monometallic balance, shock absorber, blued steel flat balance spring..Dial, case and movement signed. Diam 52 mm. Thickness 17 mm.
Yacht Timer.Heuer, Yacht Timer, Ref. 653.515. Made circa.1970..Unusual, large, composite waterproof wrist counter designed.for boat races, with central 5-minute register..To be sold without reserve
C. Two-body, solid, coated steel, large button to start, stop and.reset. D. White, subdivided into five colored sections numbered.0 through 4, outer 5 second divisions. M. 7 jewels, shock.protected, monometallic compensation balance..Dial, case and movement signed..Diam 55 mm. Thickness 16 mm.
Heuer. A single button yachting recorder
Yacht Timer. Ref 503.512, circa 1970 nickel lever movement, 7 jewels, multi-colored dial, blue arabic numerals, single button for all functions. Signed on movement, case and dial. 52 mm
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- Stopwatches
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Yacht Timers
Giant yacht timer — reference 33.712 (circa 1959), yacht timer — reference 33.512 (circa 1961), yacht timer — reference 33.512 (circa 1963), yacht timer — reference 658.915.
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1970s Aquastar Regate Yachting Timer
Why this watch matters.
The Aquastar Regate features a nifty 10-minute timer originally meant for counting down when a yacht race begins, but it also functions as a perfect – and colorful – 10 minute countdown for any purpose you might find in your daily life. From timing laundry, cooking dinner, or even walking your dog – you're going to love timing anything and everything with this watch on your wrist.
The Full Story
Aquastar was founded circa 1962 and was focused on watches intended for use in and on the water since its beginning. In the 1960s, the company came out with a watch specifically meant for timing the start of a yachting race, called the Regate. In the 1970s, Aquastar upgraded this model with a new Lemania-based movement as well as a couple small changes on the dial, like the red circle above "Regate" as well as a new starfish logo on the crown (before it said Aquastar).
The signature feature of these Regatta timers is the countdown timer at the top of the dial, which consists of five circular apertures that change color when activated. The blue and red colors used for the countdown timer are eye-catching and serve a very important purpose for indicating the start of a yacht race. Basically, it is a 10-minute timer used to count down to when the yacht has to be at the starting line.
The pusher at two o'clock activates the 10-minute counter with the flyback orange paddle-shaped hand resetting back to zero and the apertures turning completely blue. Then, gradually, each aperture turns red, with each full red circle indicating a single minute has passed. After five minutes (i.e. five full red apertures), the red apertures gradually turn silver with each passing minute, indicating the next five-minute countdown. Once the full ten minutes have passed, all apertures will be silver and will remain that way until the complication is activated again. This countdown mechanism was originally designed as a collaboration between Aquastar and Heuer, which is why you can find models from both brands with the same style of countdown timer. While this complication may not be the most useful these days, it is a great way to time 10 minutes and a fun nod to the way things used to be.
We paired this Regate on our Ash Grey Sedona strap, because its neutral tone doesn't take any focus away from the striking orange seconds hand or the colorful apertures.
The Fine Print
Maker: Aquastar Model: Regate Year: 1970s Case No: 8040159 Material: Stainless steel Dimensions: 39mm diameter; 14.5mm thickness Crystal: Plexiglass Lume: Tritium Caliber: Automatic winding Lemania ref. 1345 (Flyback) Bracelet/Strap: HODINKEE Ash Grey Sedona Lug Width: 19mm Box/Papers: No
What we Love and What You Should Know
This Regate is in great condition. The case is strong with light scratches. The sunburst finish is still intact on the top part of the case. The Aquastar logo on the caseback is fully intact and the case number is crisp. The dial and hands are in good condition with light patina. The lume on the dial and hands has developed a light patina and is very close to matching in color. The crystal has some light scratches.
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Regatta Yachttimers
An overview of sailing regatta watches, memosail 1972 – 1985.
In 1926 Ebauches SA was created by three major watch companies (A. Schild AG, Fabrique d’Horlogerie de Fontainemelon and A. Michel AG), as a holding company for Swiss watch movement manufacturers. The purpose of this merger was to bring order in this chaotic industry, and to keep the prices of watch movements from falling any further. By 1951 Ebauches SA had bought as many as 75 movement manufacturers! Eventually in 1985 most of the companies that became part of Ebauches SA were bought into the Swatch Group under the ETA division.
In 1970 daughter company Ebauches Electroniques SA was founded, and that company filed in 1972 for the trademark name Memosail .
Registration of the trademark name Memosail, June 12 1973.
Apparently the idea had risen to make a new regatta watch to compete with the Aquastar company and the Felsa regatta movement (caliber 4000N). For that reason the Swiss manufacturer of mechanical movements Valjoux SA (also a daughter company of the Ebauches group) developed their caliber Valjoux 7737, derived from the base caliber 7733, with a slightly different approach to count the remaining time to the start of a regatta. When at zero the indicator disk shows START in a cut-out section in the dial.
On February 25 th , 1972 Valjoux SA filed their patent for a ‘Pièce d’horlogerie à mécanisme de chronographe’ .
Fig. 1 and 2 of the Valjoux patent.
You can download the Swiss patent CH566052 as PDF here , and here you can download a parts list for the modifications in the Valjoux 7737 caliber.
Brochure of the first edition Memosail, the Olympic Yachtsmans Chronograph.
The first version (around 1972) of the Memosail regatta watch was housed in a chrome plated brass round case, later versions (as of 1975) came in an almost square case. At first also made of chrome plated brass, later on made of stainless steel. All three versions have a stainless steel caseback, as this material is very strong and resistant to corrosive human sweat.
The Memosail regatta watch in a round case, and an almost square case.
Model: Memosail , with either a round or a square case.
- Reference: unknown.
- Caliber: manual wound Valjoux 7737 movement.
- Round case size: Ø 45,6 mm / H 13,5 mm.
- Square case size: 38,0 x 42,1 mm / H 14,0 mm.
- Year: beginning 1970’s.
How the countdown function works:
Unlike the Lemania 1345 movement (see the Aquastar 1970’s section) the Memosail has two pushers for the countdown function. One pusher at 2 o’clock for start/stop, and one pusher at 4 o’clock for reset.
Under the dial is a plastic indicator disk divided in 15 segments for 15 minutes, of which 5 segments are shown through a large aperture in the dial from 12 to 4 o’clock to follow the countdown. After a reset it shows 10-9-8-7-6 in black figures on a yellow background. When the chrono is activated the countdown starts and the orange sweep hand is set in motion counting the seconds backwards from 60 to zero. After 30 seconds the indicator disk moves half a minute, and again after 60 seconds, now showing 9-8-7-6-5. So, after the first 5 minutes of the countdown the disk is showing 5-4-3-2-1 in white figures on a red background. The process repeats and after another 5 minutes it reads START in green capitals on a white base.
It is striking that whereas the indicator disk in the Lemania 1345 moves clockwise, in the Memosail it runs anti-clockwise! And whereas in the Lemania the indicator disk stops after the countdown comes to zero, in the Memosail it doesn’t. It keeps revolving showing again 10-9-8-7-6 after another 5 minutes, and so on. You have to stop the countdown with the stop pusher.
Blue dial Indicator disk Caliber 7737
A comprehensive description of how the Valjoux 7737 regatta movement with its numbered indicator disk works, is written by Richard Askham on his webblog, read here . You can download a partslist for the specific 7737 parts in the movement here .
- Make: Valjoux.
- Caliber: 7737.
- Type: manual wound chronograph with yachttimer function.
- Size: 14″ Ø 31,05 mm.
- Frequency: 18.000 A/h
- Power reserve: 45 hours.
- Jewels: 17.
- Shock protection: KIF or incabloc (as this movement was produced with both).
Basic caliber is the Valjoux 7733/34 movement, modified with a regatta countdown function. The caliber 7733 is a redesign of the caliber 7730, which in turn is a rebranded caliber Venus 188, after Valjoux had bought the Venus company in 1966.
Scans from the original instruction manual for the round model.
Scans from the original instruction manual for the square model.
Variations:
There are two different blue/white dials. One with a mark every 5 th of a second, and probably the later one with a division per second. Both dials say ‘MEMOSAIL – 10 minutes – 17 jewels’.
Blue/white dial with a 1/5 sec division, or with a 1 sec division.
With an unusual big round case of 45,6 mm, this first round version had its own blue rubber/silicone strap showing Memosail on one end and showing the Memosail logo and the word Swiss on the other end. It even has special curved springbars to fit the strap!
On the above picture you can clearly see that originally the start/stop pusher of the first round version was coloured red, as is shown on the picture below of the watch on the original box too.
Memosail Chrono, complete with box and instructions.
Memosail add for the US market, the Olympic Yachtsmans Chronograph.
Of the later square version of the Memosail yachttimer, there are the earlier ones with the case made of chrome plated brass, saying ‘stainless steel back’ and ‘base metal bezel’ on the caseback, and the later ones completely made of stainless steel saying ‘all stainless steel’ on the caseback. They were available with either a nylon strap or a steel bracelet, engraved with ‘MEMOSAIL’ and the logo.
V.I.P Memosail:
At some point in the mid 1970’s the Memosail regatta watch is sold as ‘V.I.P Memosail’ (also registered as a trademark name by Ebauches Electroniques SA). The addition of the name V.I.P is put on the dial and on the case back (it says ‘chrono V.I.P’ instead of just ‘chrono’). The V.I.P Memosail is available in a bigger barrel shaped case, and a cushion case. The movements are identical, the same Valjoux 7737.
The V.I.P Memosail was delivered in a special box marked V.I.P, with the standard Memosail manual, and available with a blue/grey dialor a gold/grey dial version.
If the watch was delivered with a steel bracelet, it was the standard Memosail one. Known is also an rubber/silicone strap with a buckle printed V.I.P on it.
I made the above compilation for Memosail and V.I.P Memosail based on my research over the last several years and looking at dozens of watches, pictures and articles. In my opinion all other configurations are non-original. But please correct me if I am wrong!
V.I.P Memosail with a Valjoux 7767 movement:
Only very few times I came across a very rare version of the V.I.P Memosail . This one has the countdown window from 8 to 12 o’clock cut out from the dial. And with the numbering of the minutes in the opposite direction, the indicator disk runs clockwise. Inside is a Valjoux 7767 movement. Although not many of this version of the V.I.P Memosail have been sold, it seems it was available in two different cases, both with the same dial coloured blue/grey. Maybe only a couple of thousands of the caliber 7767 have been produced by Valjoux.
V.I.P Memosail / Valjoux 7767 in two different cases.
At first sight working of the watch with the caliber 7767 looks the same as the one with the 7737. But there are some major differences. The indicator disk in the 7767 is running clockwise, instead of anti-clockwise, and it moves continuously (like for instance the Lemania 1345 and Valjoux 7757) instead of moving every 30 seconds. Furthermore the start/stop/reset operation of the watch is identical.
The Valjoux caliber 7767 is derived from caliber 7765, whereas the 7765 is the manual wound version of the automatic 7750 basic movement. If you are interested, you can download an oil-chart for the caliber 7767 here .
- Caliber: 7767.
- Type: manual wound chronograph with yachttimer function.
- Size: 13¼” Ø 30,00 mm / 7 mm.
- Frequency: 28.800 A/h
- Power reserve: 52 hours.
- Shock protection: incabloc.
The Valjoux 7767 movement was also used in little numbers by the Italian brand Lorentz in the 1970’s, see the brand’s section here .
Constantin Weisz.
Ater some 45 years, the Valjoux 7767 regatta movement showed up again in 2019. It was the German watchbrand Constantin Weisz who used it for their new Yachttimer. The company managed to bye 67 pieces of the caliber 7767, plus some additional pieces for service. So the watch is made as a Limited Edition of 67 pieces. The case even looks like it’s from the 1970’s, but has a glass caseback. The movement number is engraved on the outer ring of the caseback.
Memosail Automatic:
Also in 2019 Henrik showed a picture of his Memosail Automatic on his website Heuerchrono.com. Some searching learned that this Yachttimer must be pretty rare as only two pieces popped up. The watch is housed in the same case as the V.I.P Memosail with the Valjoux 7767 movement.
This Memosail Automatic could well have been a prototype for a new automatic Yachttimer. By then Memosail as well must have felt the consequencies of the quartz crisis in the watch industry. It would take until halfway the 1980’s that Memosail introduced their new Memosail Automatic with a Valjoux 7757 regatta movement. Read about it in the Memosail 1986 – 2000 section here .
Quartz crisis:
During the 1970’s and early 1980’s mechanical watches were largely replaced by quartz watches. As the Swiss watchmaking industry choose to remain focussed on traditional mechanical movements, this caused the decline of the entire industry and the majority of the world´s watch production shifted to Asian companies that embraced the new technology. Due to that many Swiss companies closed or went bankrupt. This period in the watchmaking industry is known as the ‘Quartz Crisis’.
Obviously also Memosail suffered from the quartz crisis, and beginning of the 1980´s a quartz ESA/ETA 931.671 movement driven yachttimer with LCD display was introduced, the Memosail Swiss Quartz . Probably this model wasn’t very popular, and thus only few numbers have been sold.
Ad for the Memosail Swiss Quartz in the January/February 1982 issue of the Hobie Hotline magazine.
This is the end of part 1. To be continued in the Memosail 1986 – 2000 section .
- Many thanks to Dirk Motz for the information about the Constantin Weisz Yachttimer.
- Many thanks to Richard Askham for your major contribution about the Memosail watches.
- Many thanks to Eric Mulder for scanning your Memosail instruction manual for me.
- Many thanks to Bidle for your beautiful nice pictures of the Memosail-countdown.
- Many thanks to Joel Pynson for sending me the Valjoux 7737 patent.
- http://www.trademarkia.com/memosail-72430221.html
- http://www.watch-wiki.net/index.php?title=Ebauches_SA
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SAVOIR FAIRE Sea change: the evolution of yacht timers
Heuer Aquastar Regate advertising, circa 1964 © TAG Heuer
At TAG Heuer, we’ve always had an intimate connection with the ocean. Our transition into nautical timing birthed some of our greatest stopwatches and timepieces ever. We’ve dug into our archives to uncover the evolution of our yacht timers. From the 1930s to present day, discover a glorious collection of pieces that have inspired both watch collectors and sailing pros.
What is a yacht timer?
To appreciate yacht timers, it’s important to understand that yacht races are defined by one critical moment. The moment when the signal boat blasts a horn and raises a flag to mark the start of the race. There is a 5-minute countdown to the start so the yachts can try to hold a strong position at the start line. This countdown to the start of a race is almost as important as the race itself. If a boat crosses the start line too soon, it is penalized. If it crosses the start line too late, it gives away an advantage to its competitors.
Under the rules of yacht racing, flags are raised and horns are sounded 5 minutes, 4 minutes, 1 minute before the start and of course, at the start of the race. There may also be important countdowns from the 10 and 15 minute marks. Skippers must be able to control their boats as well as calculate and anticipate the time leading up to the start. By working closely with sailing experts, Heuer developed carefully thought-out yacht timers to measure pre-race intervals, tides and of course, the race.
1930s – stopwatches for yacht timing
Flick through the Heuer archives and you’ll find special stopwatches designed for yacht racing dating back all the way to the 1930s. While the numbers for minutes and seconds on a standard stopwatch count ‘up’, that is they move clockwise from 5-10-15 up to 50-55-60, the minutes and seconds on a yacht timer count ‘down’. Rather than counting up to 60 minutes, the standard yachting timer counts down exactly 5 minutes. The period for the pre-race signals in a yacht race. The numbers for seconds on Heuer’s yachting timers count ‘down’, with the numbers for seconds printed on the dial moving clockwise from 60-55-50 down to 15-10-5.
Heuer catalogue, 1933 © TAG Heuer
Heuer catalogue, circa 1936-1938 © TAG Heuer
Heuer Solunar Advertising, circa 1940 © TAG Heuer
1949 - the rise of the Solunar
Apart from the countdown to the start of a race, yacht racers also benefit from knowing the times for high tides and low tides. In 1949, Heuer introduced the first wristwatch with a permanent tide indicator. In addition to the three standard hands to indicate the hour, minutes and seconds, the Solunar had a colorful inset disc to show the tide times. Upon arriving at a specific location, sailors, racers, or fishermen could check the local tide charts and use a pusher to set the tide disc.
This disc then inched forward soon after midnight each day to indicate the times for the high and low tides for the following day. The Solunar laid the groundwork for the development of the Heuer chronographs of the future, which would also incorporate the tide disc. The origin story of the Solunar is as thrilling as the timepiece itself. You can hear all about it in Season 2 of our podcast A Matter of Time .
Despite its innovative and eye-catching design, our archives suggest that Solunar wasn’t an easy sell. Here’s a quote from a piece of correspondence between Heuer and its then partner Abercrombie & Fitch: ‘This Solunar watch is a big hit, but it also has a big flaw. To sell it you need a “how to set and how to handle it” explanation. Despite a superb color leaflet, the explanation is too complicated, and the sellers in the shops prefer to sell simple watches.’
1950 to 1954 - a new wave of tide chronographs
The Solunar was a three-hand watch (hours, minutes and seconds) with a special tide dial. And it paved the way for a series of chronographs that would incorporate this same type of tide dial in a three-register chronograph, with the capacity to record up to 12 hours. The minute recorder was divided into five-minute segments, making the chronographs especially useful for yacht races. These watches were made over a period of two decades, first as the Heuer Mareograph and Abercrombie & Fitch Seafarer, with the Orvis Solunagraph joining the line-up circa 1970. Each of these chronographs sailed forth to become a collector’s item.
When these chronographs first arrived in 1950, Heuer seems to have felt the need to explain how they worked, so customers could better understand the benefits of owning a watch with a tide indicator. Here’s an advertisement for the Mareograph. It came with two separate sections that explained how you could use the timepiece for yachting as well as fishing and hunting.
1957 - the Ring-Master
While the wristwatches with tide indicators made waves, Heuer introduced an entirely new type of yacht timer in 1957: the Heuer Ring-Master. The Ring-Master stopwatch came with seven interchangeable rings, allowing the owner to quickly install different rings to time different events, like boxing, football and many other sports. Each of the rings were a different color, with different markings. The bright yellow Ring 1 was perfect for yacht racing as it was marked for a countdown of minutes and seconds.
Heuer Solunar, circa 1950 © TAG Heuer
Heuer Seafarer, circa 1950 © TAG Heuer
Heuer Mareograph, circa 1950 © TAG Heuer
Heuer Ring-Master, circa 1957 © TAG Heuer
1959 - the Giant
Towards the end of the fifties, Heuer made revolutionary changes in its approach to yacht timers. A great example of this is a stopwatch that was listed as ‘The Giant’. First, instead of the five minutes to the start of the race being shown on a relatively small recorder occupying only a fractional area of the dial, the track marking the minutes covered almost the entire area of the dial. This track was marked for five minutes, and each of the one-minute segments was a different color. The case diameter increased from the previous standard 49mm up to 57mm, with the case also having a white enamel coating.
1964 to 1967 - the Aquastar years
Aquastar was founded in 1962 as a subsidiary of Jean Richard, an established Swiss maker at the time. It became well-known for making watches for use in and on the water. The Regate set sail in 1964 as a watch specifically designed for timing the start of a yacht race. This model’s defining characteristics are five circular apertures across the top of the dial. Graced with a rotating disk, they give the appearance of five red balls that represent the minutes being counted down. The dial on this watch is signed ‘Aquastar’ and ‘Heuer’. Aquastar produced the watch and Heuer distributed it. By 1976 Heuer would have its own branded ‘Regatta’ countdown watches that used the same style of circular apertures. But Heuer’s examples typically timed 10-minute periods, using five red circles and five blue circles.
1964 - for every kind of skipper
Heuer was beginning to harness the potential, and versatility, of yacht timers. The watchmaker began using advertorials to persuade ‘skippers’ from different walks of life to embrace these pieces.
1966 – the Navia goes sailing
Heuer had been making dashboard clocks since the 1930s. The hallmarks of these pieces were their 8-day capacity and rugged cases and movements that could withstand racing, rallying or aviation. Named the ‘Master Time’ in 1958, by the mid-1960s Heuer had modified the dashboard clock to be useful at sea. The ‘Navia’ (referring to ‘naval’ and ‘aviation’) incorporated a waterproof case and offered superb legibility, with Heuer advertising that it was perfect for the open cockpit of a boat.
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We arrive at the historic moment that inspired Heuer to leave a lasting mark on the sailing world: the America’s Cup in September 1967. Heuer supplied timing equipment for the legendary racing yacht Intrepid , including Heuer-Aquastar wristwatches and handheld yacht timers. Not far from the shores of Newport, Rhode Island, the Intrepid stormed to victory. To commemorate skipper Emil Mosbacher’s triumph, Heuer produced an entirely new chronograph, the iconic Reference 7754.
The first Heuer ‘Skipper’ used a bright blue, green and orange dial. It was given a Carrera case, with the 30-minute recorder of the Carrera replaced by a 15-minute countdown recorder. This timepiece is highly coveted by vintage Heuer collectors and people with a passion for sailing. This first version would live a very short life. Only a few hundred pieces were created. And then the Skipper chronograph would move to the ‘compressor’ case of the Autavia. The name ‘Skipper’ would live on through several other versions through the 1970s and 1980s.
1968 - how to make a strong start
By crafting cutting-edge yacht timers, Heuer enabled teams to not only make a good start, but also a flying finish. Heuer was so dedicated to yacht racing enthusiasts that the brand created catalogs with tips on how to make a good start.
1970 - winning hearts
While the Skipper was making waves for chronograph enthusiasts, Heuer yacht timers continued to be marketed among Heuer’s precision instruments ‘for sports, industrial, scientific applications.’ Here’s an example of an old ad published in The Sunday Oregonian. It highlights the timer’s color-coded central five-minute register.
Heuer advertising, circa 1964 © TAG Heuer
Heuer Skipper 7754, circa 1968 © TAG Heuer
Heuer Yacht Timer advertising, circe 1970 © TAG Heuer
1972 to 1974 - the rise and rise of the Skipper
The design of the Skipper chronograph evolved over the years, as it moved from the Carrera case to a series of Autavia cases. The design of the second Skipper, circa 1970, featured a black dial, an oversized countdown recorder with red, white and blue segments, The Skipper would roll on into the 1970s in the C-shaped cases used by the Autavias, with a variety of manual and automatic configurations, but always with the emblematic 15-minute countdown recorder.
1974 - regulation approved
In 1973, Heuer introduced a new style of wrist stopwatch, called the ‘Supersport’. The Regatta model, or Reference 775.915 from 1974, was an eye-catching piece, with a bright blue case and the red, white and blue segments on the dial corresponding to the colors used on many of Heuer’s yacht timers. This version of the Supersport was marketed as ‘a wrist speedometer built on the basis of International Yacht Racing Union regulations’.
Heuer advertising, circa 1976 © TAG Heuer
1978 - style and substance
Crafted to be durable at sea, the Heuer yacht timer Reference 503.915 was housed inside a lightweight shockproof fiberglass case to withstand the elements (and look good doing it). Heuer called this its ‘Fibershell’ case. At 62mm across the case, this yacht timer was easy to grip (being larger than even The Giant, from 1959), while the unique shape of the case ensured that the sailor would have a ‘safe, sure grip’ under any conditions.
1983 - regatta royalty
Heuer had offered ‘Regatta’ wristwatches in the 1960s and 1970s, but in 1983 the Regatta moved to a dramatic new series of cases, borrowed from the Autavia. At over 42mm across the dial, the cases were coated in either black, olive or pewter. Each Regatta was graced with colored discs (red and blue) to countdown two 5-minute sequences. The other, even more colorful, wrist yacht timers gaining in popularity were the Reference 503.512 and the Heuer Surfer.
1983 to 1986 - time for action
‘Time for action’ was TAG Heuer’s call to action in the 1980s. The tagline was stamped across several catalogs at the time, showcasing the brand’s wide range of versatile timing equipment that attracted sporting professionals and enthusiasts from across the world. From motor racing to athletics to, of course, sailing. The 1983 catalog featured the final version of the Skipper as we knew it then, housed in a large version of the Autavia case.
TAG Heuer "Time for action" advertising, circa 1986 © TAG Heuer
Heuer Yacht Timer, circa 1978 © TAG Heuer
Heuer Yacht Timer, circa 1982 © TAG Heuer
Heuer Yacht Timer, circa 1983 © TAG Heuer
Heuer Yacht Timer, circa 1984 © TAG Heuer
Heuer Surfer, circa 1984 © TAG Heuer
1990 to 2014
By releasing yacht timers like the TAG Heuer Searacer (in the late 1990s), the Aquaracer Calibre S Regatta (circa 2005) and the limited edition TAG Heuer Aquaracer 500 Meter Countdown Chronograph for Team Oracle USA at the 2013 America’s Cup, the brand continued its steady relationship with sailing.
2023 - a return to the high seas
Today TAG Heuer is once again expanding its horizons and reconnecting with its sailing DNA. Through its new partnership with Flying Nikka – a racing yacht at the leading edge of high-performance sailing technology – the brand is back sailing the high seas at the highest level.
2023 - the comeback king
This year also marks the return of the legendary Skipper . Reminiscent of the unforgettable 1968 Heuer Skipper, this new iteration is yet another exhilarating landmark, further strengthening TAG Heuer’s bond with the ocean. A relationship that began almost 100 years ago, in the 1930s, but will undoubtedly last forever.
CBS2213.FN6002 TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Skipper
Discover more
- Yacht Timer
07/20/2024 A crystal legacy: the evolution of the glassbox
Since its inception, the glassbox design has become an iconic feature of the TAG Heuer Carrera collection. Over the years, each iteration of this revolutionary design has been refined to capture the essence of the Swiss Maison's relentless pursuit of precision and elegance.
03/29/2023 The eminently refined tool watch
An evolution of the tool watch, but with a somptuous twist
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Heuer Yacht Timers
Heuer built handheld and wrist stopwatches without showing time of day for special purposes: racing, running, regatta-sailing, skiing, golfing and some more.
They are the “trailblazers” of the Heuer Skipper. First on a cord in the pocket, than as a big yacht-timer on the wrist – and at the end as a full time showing watch with the yachting chronograph function on the wrist.
Here are some of the ads of yacht timers of Heuer and some pictures in flesh – please send more if you find pictures and references to complete the page 😉
This is just a start to catalog the Heuer Yacht Timer – you can see the further developement online – stay tuned and enjoy some pictures first!
As my friend Mark found out, the Patent of the 5dots Yacht Timer was made in 1914 from Berna. the first known catalogue of a watch using the 5 circular apertures in the dial and the coloured red indicator disc rotating underneath was made by LEONIDAS, which was a kind of “pre-history” of Heuer too with the merging of the companies in 1964. It should be named here because some of the yachting timer and watches was made by Leonidas in the same time next to another or even in a joint venture before it became Heuer Leonidas.
1930 Leonidas Dealers Catalogue credit: Mark regatta-yachttimers.com
So in the history of all made yachting timers this one was THE most important milestone and the base of many yachting timer of the next timer in the second half of the last century.
Leonidas Yacht Timer Grail
The same 5 dots yacht timer is known with a Abercrombie and Fitch branded dial. Movement was made by Berna. Thats different and maybe earlier then the Leonidas, because Leonidas use the Venus 120 modified with regatta module.
There are some other yacht timer with serif fonts and enamel dial known which need to be researched. The movements should be the key to get the production dates into the right line…. will come next here.
The first found entry of a Yacht Timer made by Heuer is to read in the Catalog from 1936 showing on onthedash.com.
Yacht Timer at left bottom in the 1936 catalog credit: onthedash.com
Movement for reference 912 at top, same catalog credit: onthedash.com
1959-60 catalogue credit: onthedash.com
This old one have a very nice white case and a big crown.
Ref. 33.712 (catalogue 1959-60)
1961-62 Catalogue credit: onthedash.com
In natural the Yacht-Timer looks very colorful and nice!
Yachting Stopwatches – for regatta only!
1962 Catalogue credit: onthedash.com
1963 catalogue credit: onthedash.com
credit: Mark
1968 catalogue credit: onthedash.com
Yacht Timer Reference 403.615
1969-70 catalogue credit: onthedash.com
And yes – here you can see the real Autavia Skipper as first in a brochure – the Heuer Skipper 7764!
1970-71 catalogue credit: onthedash.com
503.812 with Valjoux 7710 from 1971
1972 Brochure credit: onthedash.com
Interesting to read at this ad is: “This exclusive yacht timer is used throughout the world by top skippers, including the INTREPID crew, winner of famous America Cup.” More about a using the first 5dot Heuer Aquastar Felsa 4000N Regatta wristwatch by the crew of the INTREPID you find here .
1973 catalogue credit: onthedash.com
One not in the known catalogues listed (403.915 with other dial?) credit: Luuk
1974 catalogue credit: onthedash.com
1976 Yacht Timers catalogue credit: onthedash.com
1976 catalogue credit: onthedash.com
Ref.603.612 (catalogue 1976)
1977-78 Brochure credit: onthedash.com
1980 Brochure credit: onthedash.com
Ref 203.512 with genuine box
1982 catalogue credit: onthedash.com
1983 catalogue credit: onthedash.com
1986 Brochure credit: onthedash.com
Interesting facts about the 5-dots wrist-stopwatch you can find here . It seems that this was built by Lemania and labeled with Heuer (and Aquastar).
Yacht Timer 203.505 – heavy, metal, black pvd
The one and only “5dot” stopwatch not for the wrist made by Heuer Ref. 658.915 (catalogue 1986)
The stopwatches sometimes have the typo “Trackmaster” on the dial, see one of the 603.615 too with that. “Trackmaster” (and “Trackstar”) stopwatches were selling by Heuer from 1968 till the 1980´s. Usually they had a cheaper pinlever movement but with regulation tolerance +- 1,5 sec/h. The professional calibres were 7700 with 36.000 bph and a regulation tolerance of 0,5 sec/h. *1
Ref. 603.615 (catalogue 1986) unusual layout with EB 411 but used by other brands too
It seems that some of the Yacht timers were produced over a long time period with the same dial and different cases as the Ref. 653.515. Look at the older catalogues, need to have an exact eye to see some differences for that one.
This post needs to be continued…
Update 17.08.2014 Based on my idea to show all Heuer Yachting Timer year by year printed in the catalogues the mastermind of onthedash.com, Jeff Stein worked it out. He found some catalogpages more and filled the overview with some explaination and put in a very nice overview about the movements. This overview was made by Hans Schrag, a great expert and former (TAG-) Heuer director in the United States. Great stuff!
You find Jeffs excellent post here.
Here is the table of references with movements made by Hans Schrag and published by Jeff – and my additions.
| Reference | Catalog | Movement | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 202.515 | 1983 | Lemania 6000 | ||
| 203.505 | 1982, 83 | Lemania 6000 | ||
| 203.510 | 1982, 83 | Lemania 6000 | ||
| 203.512 | 1980 | Lemania 6000 | ||
| 33.512 | 1961, 62, 63 | AS 1564 | ||
| 33.712 | 1959 | AS 1564 | ||
| 3912 | 1959, 61 | Heuer 736 (AS 736) | ||
| 403.615 | 1968 | Valjoux 7700 | ||
| 403.915 | 1973 | Valjoux 7710 | ||
| 503.512 | 1968, 72, 73, 78 | Valjoux 7710 | ||
| 503.615 | 1968 | Valjoux 7710 | ||
| 503.812 | 1970-71 | Valjoux 7710 | ||
| 503.915 | 1973, 77, 78, 80 | Valjoux 7710 | ||
| 542.912 | 1973 | Valjoux 7714 | ||
| 603.315 | 1977 | BF 411 | ||
| 603.615 | 1980, 82, 83 | BF 411 | ||
| 653.515 | 1983 | BF 413 | ||
| 653.915 | 1982, 83 | BF 413 | ||
| 658.915 | 1983 | BF 412 | ||
| 775.901, 775.915 (Supersport) | 1973, 76, 77, 78 | Val 7770 | ||
| 912/5, 912/10, 912/15 | 1962, 63 | Heuer 736 (AS 736) |
Source: *1 sempervivens on http://forums.watchuseek.com – have to prove.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
The definitive guide to vintage Heuer timepieces. Heuers on the Sea — 25 Years of Yacht Timers (1959 to 1984) August 17th, 2014 ... This 1972 brochure (below) shows a Reference 503.512 Yacht Timer on a wrist-strap, and a Skipper chronograph (Reference 73464) that has moved from the late-1960s style "compressor" case to the 1970s style ...
Vintage Seiko Yacht Timer A827-6000 NASA Digital Men,s Wristwatch. Opens in a new window or tab. Pre-Owned. $920.00. or Best Offer +$45.00 shipping. from Germany. Vintage Wakmann Regate Gold Plated Yachting 1341 Chronograph rare 9804 Diver. Opens in a new window or tab. Pre-Owned. $731.00.
Overall, this yacht timer looks every bit like a vintage tool watch from the 1970s - and it's all the better for it. From the seller: In nice, unpolished vintage condition. Blue dial goes from sea blue to almost black under different light. Fitted with a new nato strap and ready to be worn. Buy Now: $1,150.
But the vintage timepieces - the regatta timers of old - are what really get our juices flowing. Sailing chronographs like the Heuer Autavia Skipper, the Regate (sold under three different brand names - Aquastar, Heuer, and Tissot), Heuer's Yacht Timer (both wrist-mounted and stopwatch form factor), the Breitling Chronomat and ...
Vintage Seiko Yacht Timer Sports 150 Watch Quartz, Ref. 8M35-800A Japan. Opens in a new window or tab. Pre-Owned. $450.00. or Best Offer. Free shipping. from Ukraine. 53 watchers. Seiko Velatura Yachting Timer 7T84-0Ae0 Quartz Chronograph Watch Men'S. Opens in a new window or tab. Pre-Owned. $397.32. or Best Offer
Heuer Yacht Timer 9901 Model Code: 9901. Our price: £450. ... I bought a nice watch from Vintage Heuer and since I like to know people in person I'm making business with I decided to go visit the site and pick up my watch by myself. So I went from Germany to England and met Jonathan at Bowcliffe. The location...
Gallet ad with two of their Yachting stopwatches, and two wristwatches of a later date. Gallet Yachting Timer, with a caliber EP 1 movement marked Jules Racine. Gallet Yachting Timer with 5 minute countdown. Gallet 5 minute Yachting Timer with only one hand, movement derived from the JB-1.
Seiko Yacht Timer Quartz 7A28-7090, ref. SAY080. The 7A28-7090 regatta variant debuted in 1982 as the first real Seiko Yacht Timer, and appeared in catalogs as of 1983. It immediately stood out for its design. ... Impressive site by Mr. Tissot with lots of information about vintage watches, often also regatta yachttimers.
A single button yachting recorder. Description : Yacht Timer. Ref 503.512, circa 1970 nickel lever movement, 7 jewels, multi-colored dial, blue arabic numerals, single button for all functions. Signed on movement, case and dial. 52 mm. UNITED KINGDOM ENGLISH GBP. Second hand prices and auction results of TAG Heuer Yacht Timer watches.
The definitive guide to vintage Heuer timepieces. Stopwatches; Handheld Stopwatches; Yacht Timers; Yacht Timers. Giant Yacht Timer — Reference 33.712 (Circa 1959) Yacht Timer — Reference 33.512 (Circa 1961) Yacht Timer — Reference 33.512 (Circa 1963) Yacht Timer — Reference 658.915.
From birthyearwatches.com, the website with over 500 interesting vintage watches always in stock. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see what is new in old...
The Aquastar Regate features a nifty 10-minute timer originally meant for counting down when a yacht race begins, but it also functions as a perfect - and colorful - 10 minute countdown for any purpose you might find in your daily life. From timing laundry, cooking dinner, or even walking your dog - you're going to love timing anything and everything with this watch on your wrist.
Join my newsletter:https://rick-bolt.ck.page/61fc82e319 In this video I go over my Seiko Sports 100 watch and what I did to bring it back to life.Business In...
A vintage Heuer Yacht Timer is on my short list. But they go for upwards of $1500! Reply. OnTheDash. •. The vintage Heuer chronographs (Regatta) can go for upwards of $1,500, but the stopwatches can often be found at bargain prices. After compiling this survey, I have been smitten with the Yacht Timer stopwatch bug, but have controlled to so ...
Watch specifications. Seiko 8m35 quartz, countdown mode, pre-set of timer with 5-10-15 minute intervals, free-set timer can be set to 1 minute intervals up to 30 minutes. #TBT takes a look at the Seiko 8M35 Yacht Timer, the affordable and available successor of the legendary 7A28.
Interesting websites. #TBT Seiko 8M35 Yacht Timer - How Seiko replaced a legend Excellent revieuw by Fratellowatches, Michael Stockton, about the Seiko 8M35 Yachttimer.; Heuerchrono a reference website by Henrik, for the Heuer Skipper, the Heuer Regatta models as well as the Heuer Yacht Timer stopwatches.; Les montres de régate : toujours en vogue… A comprihensive article - in French ...
Rather than counting up to 60 minutes, the standard yachting timer counts down exactly 5 minutes. The period for the pre-race signals in a yacht race. The numbers for seconds on Heuer's yachting timers count 'down', with the numbers for seconds printed on the dial moving clockwise from 60-55-50 down to 15-10-5. Heuer catalogue, 1933 ...
Tokyo, Japan, SINCE 1961. The Watch is tested. all functions of the Watch work properly. CASE LENGTH: 46 mm. there are small scratches on the Case, Cover and Bracelet. You will get what you see. Trace of Use.
Home » Heuer Yacht Timers. Heuer built handheld and wrist stopwatches without showing time of day for special purposes: racing, running, regatta-sailing, skiing, golfing and some more. They are the "trailblazers" of the Heuer Skipper. First on a cord in the pocket, than as a big yacht-timer on the wrist - and at the end as a full time ...
Seiko 7A28-7090 Yacht Timer from 1983. Known for its bead blasted case with an out of the ordinary bull head / stop watch design. This Yacht Timer was only in production for a short few years and is powered by the renowned 7A28 movement, known for being the worlds first analog quartz chronograph. For its unique standout design, the Yacht Timer ...
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Ulyanovsky District (Russian: Улья́новский райо́н) is an administrative [1] and municipal [5] district (), one of the twenty-one in Ulyanovsk Oblast, Russia.It is located in the north of the oblast.The area of the district is 1,273 square kilometers (492 sq mi). [2] Its administrative center is the urban locality (a work settlement) of Isheyevka. [1]
There is a school which Lenin studied. This museum was built to celebrate 100 years of Lenin's birth. Two houses which Lenin was born and grew up moved into this site from their original place in Ulyanovsk at that time. This beautiful area is located on the hill near Volga river. Surname of Lenin is Ulyanov.