The Skipper: TAG Heuer Carrera’s Unique Edition

The most intrepid with a passion for sailing come on board. TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper go back to the high seas The story is not so well known, but it deserves to be remembered because it opens up another new perspective on the value of a watchmaking firm closely associated with cars, but whose sports universe is broader and richer. For the great competition of the America’s Cup of 1967, Heuer provided the ship Intrepid a set of portable yacht timers, and outfitted his crew with Aquastar wristwatches that featured an ingenious countdown timer—composed of a red and white disc rotating behind a series of five holes.

Victory in the America’s Cup

Already in the 40s, Abercrombie and Fitch, provider of high-end sporting goods, began commissioning Heuer to produce watches—under its A & F brand—to sell in its own New York stores. Thus was born the Solunar with the times of the tides and, later in the 50s, the Seafarer and Mareographe chronographs, somewhat more sophisticated. Jack Heuer’s close friendship with Walter Haynes, president of the retailer, eventually led to Heuer becoming the ship’s official timing partner. Intrepid at the America’s Cup.

TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper

And why is TAG Heuer reissuing a Carrera instead of the original Aquastar? Because after the final victory of the Intrepid of the Auld Mug in 1968 by an uncontested margin of four races to nil, Heuer produced the chrono as a tribute Skipper with an original design. With a 30-minute sub-dial, it was adapted to count down the 15-minute race start with each of the segments in a different colour: a vivid orange was used to alert the crew to the fact that only five minutes remained; green to represent the ship’s rig color and a lighter shade of teal that mimicked the deck color of the Intrepid itself.

latest technology caliber

The new TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper is the reissue of that piece with the light blue-green tones of the double counter located at 3 and 9 o’clock, where the name also appears. A watch that integrates the new “Glass Box” design of the Carrera relaunched this year, as well as the enhancement of the curved glass that extends to the edge of the 39 mm case. Under its almost immaculate vintage aura, TAG Heuer now integrates its best technology with the TH20-06 caliber with bidirectional winding and an 80-hour power reserve. Come aboard the most intrepid. A new ally for sailors and all those who love sporty sophistication.