nautica watch yacht timer

Regatta Time: 7 Yachting Watches

A number of luxury watch brands have gotten involved in sponsoring sailing teams and events. Some brands have even developed timepieces specifically suited for competitive sailing and other nautical activities, often incorporating some version of the all-important regatta countdown function. Here we run down seven yachting and regatta watches and reveal why they’re ideal companions out on the waves.

1.Corum Admiral’s Cup AC-One 45 Tides

Corum has been making watches for yachtsmen since 1960, when it debuted the first Corum Admiral’s Cup watch, named after and inspired by the famous yacht race of the same name. The Admiral’s Cup has since grown to become an entire collection, one of Corum’s core pillars. Numerous variations on the Corum Admiral’s Cup have been introduced over the years, including the Corum Admiral’s Cup AC-One 45 Tides . This watch’s movement, Caliber CO 277 — which Corum spent three years working with the Astronomic Observatory of Geneva and French Navy’s oceanographic institute to create — contains a mechanical complication that is eminently useful for someone piloting a boat: a moon-phase-like function that informs the wearer of how strong and how high the tides are, and when high and low tide will next occur. (Tides, of course, are affected by the moon’s relation to the earth and sun.) A hand on the subdial at 12 o’clock indicates the tidal coefficient, or range between high and low tides. A subdial at 6 o’clock tells when the next two tides will occur. Meanwhile, the 9 o’clock display tells the wearer if tides are rising or falling. The date is displayed at 3 o’clock. The Corum Admiral’s Cup AC-One 45 Tides has the collection’s hallmark 12-sided case, which is made of titanium coated with blue PVD and measures 45 mm in diameter, and comes on a vulcanized blue rubber strap.

2. Panerai Luminor 1950 Regatta 3 Days Chrono Flyback Titanio

Panerai is much better known for making watches for use underwater rather than above the waves, but the Swiss-Florentine brand began sponsoring the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge in 2005 and introduced its first dedicated yachting watch at SIHH 2013. (AT SIHH 2017, the brand took its support of sailing sports to the next level, becoming Official Timekeeper of the America’s Cup.) that The Panerai Luminor 1950 Regatta 3 Days Chrono Flyback Titanio (PAM00526) has a lightweight, brushed titanium case, 47 mm in diameter, and is outfitted with Panerai’s in-house Caliber P.9100/R, which powers not only a flyback chronograph but a user-friendly regatta countdown function.

To start the countdown to a regatta (in which perfect timing is crucial, with all boats required to line up behind an imaginary line without crossing it), the owner pushes an orange push-button at 4 o’clock to move the central orange chronograph minute hand back, one minute at a time, until it is at the correct position in relation to the length of the countdown. Next, he presses the chronograph stop/start button at 10 o’clock, which starts the chronograph hands moving, indicating first the minutes and seconds remaining until the start, and then, when the countdown has finished, the time elapsed since the start of the race. At the end of the interval being measured, the push-button at eight o’clock returns all the chronograph hands to zero; if it is operated while the hands are still moving, it activates the return-to-zero (flyback) function of these hands, enabling the wearer to start timing a new interval immediately, without using the stop and reset buttons. The flange around the dial displays a 15-minute scale for the regatta countdown, with the five final minutes distinguished in orange, along with a tachymeter scale that is measured in knots, which enables a sailor to determine the speed of his boat over a defined distance. For more details on this Panerai watch, including the price, click here . The price of the watch is $17,200.00 excl. sales tax (July 2017).

3. Rolex Yacht-Master II

The Rolex Yacht-Master II — the successor to the original Rolex Yacht-Master — debuted in 2007 and introduced a Rolex-exclusive regatta countdown function that can be “programmed” from 1 to 10 minutes and incorporates a mechanical memory that allows it to be reset to the same countdown duration used previously. Once launched, the countdown can also be synchronized on the fly, enabling adjustment to match the official regatta start-time countdown. Programming the countdown is easy, by means of the rotatable Ring Command bezel , a Rolex-developed system linking the bezel to the movement.

The Rolex Yacht-Master II has a 44-mm Rolex Oyster case (available in several precious metals, in Rolex’s proprietary “Rolesium” material, or in a new stainless steel version with blue Cerachrom bezel, shown below.) The watch contains the Rolex manufacture Caliber 4161, which has a COSC chronometer certification and includes a column-wheel chronograph. For more on the Rolex Yacht-Master II, click here .

4. Alpina Sailing Yachttimer Countdown

Not everyone who owns a boat is a millionaire, and the Alpina Sailing Yachttimer Countdown is a yachting watch for those on a slightly tighter timepiece budget. For under $5,000, the owner of this watch gets a clever yachting-specific complication, namely a moving countdown window that counts down from 10 to 1, gradually revealing a red “START” indicator for the start time of a regatta. The Alpina Sailing Yachttimer is a limited edition of only 8,888 pieces. The watch has a 44-mm stainless steel case, with a see-through caseback offering a view of the in-house movement, Caliber AL-880, and comes on a black rubber strap. The price of the watch is $3’695 (July 2017).

5. Perrelet Turbine Yacht

Introduced in 2014, the Perrelet Turbine Yacht — another new complication for the distinctive Turbine collection, which has swiftly become Perrelet’s flagship family — combines the spinning dial-side turbine-style rotor with an integrated windrose function, inspired by the world of yachting, which helps to orient sailors by points of reference and the position of the sun. The Perrelet Turbine Yacht has a substantial, 47-mm-diameter stainless steel case, also available with either black or bronze-toned PVD coating. The turbine rotor on the dial, made of titanium, has 11 blades, echoing the look of a submarine propellor, and rotates above a surface with a maritime-themed parallel-line pattern reminiscent of the teakwood deck of a yacht. The windrose — according to Wikipedia, “a graphic tool used by meteorologists to give a succinct view of how wind speed and direction are typically distributed at a particular location” — is on a bidirectional rotating ring surrounding the dial. prices for the Perrelet Turbine Yacht range from $6,550 to $7,200.

6. Bremont Regatta OTUSA

The U.K.-based Bremont brand has also served as Official Timing partner to the America’s Cup and to the competition’s defending champion, Oracle Team USA. To commemorate the races, Bremont brought out at this year’s Baselworld this COSC-certified regatta timer, the Bremont Regatta OTUSA. The watch has 15- minute and 5-minute countdown displays at 12 o’clock, a 12-hour counter and date aperture at 6 o’clock and running seconds at 9 o’clock. Bremont has incorporated into the crown a bit of carbon fiber taken from one of the foils of a 2013 Oracle Team USA AC72 yacht. The case is titanium, 43 mm in diameter, and water resistant to 100 meters. It has a transparent back through which you can see the rotor, decorated with a wave-like pattern and the words “America’s Cup.” Price: $6,895 (July 2017).

7. Ulysse Nardin Marine Regatta Chronograph

Ulysse Nardin tapped two professional yachtsmen, Loïck Peyron and Iain Percy from the Swedish Artemis Racing team (which the brand sponsors), to help design its new regatta timer, the Marine Regatta Chronograph , which debuted at SIHH 2017. The watch is a bi-directional chronograph counter that automatically begins timing the race once the countdown is complete, thus eliminating the need to hit the restart button at the precise moment when the race begins. Official fleet yacht races begin with either a five-, seven- or 10-minute countdown to the starting signal, during which time boats jockey for a position as close to the starting line as possible without crossing it and thus facing major penalties. The movement, Caliber UN-155, is based on the manufacture automatic chronograph Caliber UN-153 and has a three-day power reserve. The 44-mm case is stainless steel and has a fluted bezel with rubber inserts, molded rubber pushers, a screw-down crown and 100-meter water resistance. There are two dial variations, one in ocean blue with signature Artemis Racing yellow and the other in sea foam. There is also a limited-edition series of 35 Marine Regatta Chronographs with black champlevé enamel dials. The regular series is priced at $15,900, and the special edition, at $29,800.

This article was originally published in 2014; prices are subject to change.

Such a wonderfully informative blog. thanks for sharing

A correction to your Bremont piece: Oracle was the defender of America’s Cup in 2013 and 2017. The current Cup holder is Emirates Team New Zealand. (interestingly, although Omega has sponsored ETNZ since 1995….by far the longest relationship between a watch brand and an AC team…it has never developed a regatta-specific watch , instead issuing a few “ETNZ versions” of Seamaster Diver over the years).

What about the many Ulysse Nardin releases?

title should be 5 ugly regatta watches

yup ! sure is !

imho — Ugly watches? Just exactly what would you consider to be beautiful watches in this category?

I agree Erik, I think these represent the best watches from Rolex (the 2 tone would be best), Bremont, Alpina and Panerai. Other versions are just a bit boring, imho.

I have a omega NZL-32 I think it’s the best looking regtta timer out. It’s a very stunning watch.

I agree. The Omega NZL is beautiful but out of production yes?

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Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Best sailing watches: 16 options for racing and cruising

• October 17, 2023

Fox Morgan, Phil Sampson and Roger Hughes test and review 16 of the best sailing watches available with functions for racing and cruising sailors

The best sailing watches can offer a multitude of functions, from MOB alerts to tidal calculations and large faced race count down timers. And yet still there’s utter simplicity of a waterproof self winding timepiece.

Just as tablets and even smartphones have revolutionised how sailors use multifunction displays and instruments, so the latest smart watch technology has now firmly filtered into sailing. While we’re now familiar with using our watches to give us directions, make calls and send messages, and act as a repeater screen on our wrists ashore, so the latest sailing watches also make navigation, data and comms technology wearable afloat.

You’ll see that Garmin have several entries in our best sailing watches guide and if you’re specifically after a Garmin, we have rounded up the best of those in this guide to the best Garmin watch for yachting sailing and more .

However, the cleverest watch is not always the best watch for sailing. For racing an extremely simple and speedy to operate model may suit better. Price is not always an indicator of functionality either; even some of the least expensive sailing watches, like the Casio we showcase below, can be packed with features.

At the other end of the scale,  luxury horology brands – including Rolex, Panerai, and Omega among others – have long been closely associated with sailing, seeing it as the perfect sport to demonstrate their style, waterproof and ruggedised qualities, and accuracy.

In making our selection of the best sailing watches, we’ve chosen those with features specifically suitable for wearing aboard. That doesn’t mean, however, that they float, so be sure to do the clasp up securely and be wary of pulling off jacket sleeves in a hurry and losing your prized timepiece overboard!

Editor’s top choices at a glance

Best sailing smart watch – Garmin Quatix 7 Best premium sailing watch – Garmin MARQ Captain Best value sailing watch – Casio Lithium Quartz Best racing sailing watch – Ronstan Clear Start Race Timer

Best sailing watch for multifunction use

Garmin quatix 7.

Best sailing smart watch

Specifications: Apple or android smart phone compatible,  Sizes: 47mm / 51mm, Weight 70g, Battery life: up to 16 days with screen on by demand, GPS tracking, waterproof to 10 ATM

Reasons to Buy: Large easy to read face | incredible versatility for an array of lifestyle activity | healthy wellbeing and boat interactivity | customisable to suit individual needs Reasons to Avoid: Battery life not as good as the Quatix 6 if screen is always visible | bright facia can be distracting | touchscreen is pointless without the additional kit it interfaces with

Garmin’s latest sailing smartwatch includes improvements to strengthen integration with onboard electronics.

It’s a touchscreen model that can, for instance, be used to control MFD displays or Fusion audio systems, as well as Garmin autopilots.

You can also pay for things with contactless payments, but you’ll need to use an intermediary app, such as Curve if you are in the UK as British banks haven’t signed up for that function directly yet.

So let’s address the major change for the Quatix 7 over the Quatix 6, and that’s the display. Plenty of folks complained about the darkness or difficulty seeing the Quatix 6 screen, so they’ve addressed that with a much brighter lit up style of screen.  It is very bright even when turned to its dimmest setting. To save the battery from being drained unnecessarily at night, there’s a night time version of the watch screen where you can view it as a digital numeric mono display, on demand, otherwise the screen is completely blank. This brighter clearer display does come at a compromise of battery life or screen saver settings.

The extra screen size in the same outer bezel size though is really very nice. Maps and other tracking options can be easily seen.

High end Sapphire models add a new ultra-clear AMOLED touchscreen.

The watch can output directly to Strava and myfitnesspal along with other apps according to your preference. We like this watch very much indeed and it is currently the best smart sailing watch for all round functionality. Pricey though, but worth it.

Garmin MARQ Captain

Best premium sailing watch

Specifications: Type: Smart | Size: 46mm

Reasons to buy: Weather and tidal data | MOB and GPS functions | Stream boat data to your wrist Reasons to avoid: Full extent of capabilities is governed by the onboard technology it’s connected to | Premium price

Tested by: MBY Editor, Hugo Andreae

Our top priced pick comes from wearable tech-specialists, Garmin. The MARQ Captain sailing watch comes packed with marine-relevant features.

Functions include weather and tidal data for your home port, a regatta timer to pinpoint starting times, a ‘tack assist’ function to determine whether you’re on lift or a header, a man overboard button and GPS.

The full extent of its capabilities is governed by the onboard technology to which it is connected, but possibilities include streaming boat data direct to your wrist wherever you are on the boat and controlling products from the Garmin-owned Fusion range of audio systems.

Garmin Instinct 2S Solar

Specifications: Type: Smart | Size: 40mm / 45mm / 50mm, weight 53g(2oz)

Reasons to buy: GPS positioning on charts | barometric pressure and compass | Smartphone connectivity | An incredible amount of styles and colours | A single charge lasts 14 days Reasons to avoid: Premium price without a premium design

Tested by: Tech Editor, Fox Morgan

The Instinct 2, launched in February 2022 is Garmin’s all-round watch, which they call their outdoors watch. Features that are particularly relevant to sailors include GPS positioning on charts; barometric pressure and a compass.

It has smartphone connectivity, receives emails and texts, and can control music via a phone. This watch also has an inbuilt thermometer and heart rate monitor.

The Garmin Instinct is available in no fewer than 20 different styles and colours. It’s actual diameter is 47mm (1 13/16” in) but the viewable face is 32mm (1 1/4”). The Instinct is 16mm (5/8” in) thick and weighs 53g (2 oz).

For racing sailors, it also has multiple start sequence options. We have an indepth review from long term testing of this watch coming soon.

The Garmin Instinct watch is a good alternative for anyone seeking a more moderately priced alternative to the Quatix 6.

Garmin Quatix 6 Multisport Marine Smartwatch

Specifications: Apple or android smart phone compatible,  Sizes: 47mm / 51mm, weight 82g, Battery life: up to 16 days with screen always visible, GPS tracking, waterproof to 10 ATM

Reasons to buy: Suits a multitude of water activity | Highly customisable | An incredible amount of data available on your wrist | A single charge lasts 14 days Reasons to avoid: High level of functionality is not for the technologically phobic

This watch I tested comprehensively for several weeks/months – it is a very smart design, with functions for every type of pastime on the water and off it.

Garmin is well known for superior boating instruments and they have now managed to squeeze all the data of a ten-inch chartplotter into a 1.3” inch round sailing watch. Bluetooth functionality means you can connect it to a Garmin chartplotter using the free Garmin Connect app, and to other makes of plotter using the Garmin transceiver (a $150 extra).

This allows all the features of a chartplotter to be displayed on the watch, including charts and even autopilot control to allow you to change heading or follow a GPS route – provided it is also connected through the chartplotter.

The Quatix 6 also offers more typical smartwatch functions including the ability to receive email and texts, can be used to control music on board, and monitors the user’s heart-rate.

It’s simple to switch between ‘boat display’ and ‘stylish watch’ modes, as hundreds of different watch faces that can be downloaded to customise it to the wearer’s preference, including an antique style face and even a copy of Big Ben. The Quatix 6 can also be switched between analogue and digital.

It’s overall diameter is 51mm (2” in) with a 36mm (1 5/8” in) viewable face, and it is 17mm (11/16”) thick. The Quatix 6’s weight is 83g (3oz) with the plastic strap or 156g (5.5oz) with the stainless band, which is quite a bit heavier than a conventional watch.

Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

Spinnaker haas automatic.

Specifications: Type: Analogue | Size: 43mm

Reasons to buy: S mart styling | easy to read day and night | electronics free | self winding Reasons to avoid: Due to self winding mechanism the watch is not as slim as a quartz movement watch which might mean that cuffs on shirts and foulies are tight.

Tested by: Professional TopSail Schooner Skipper, Phil Pryor

The joy of a traditional analogue watch is right here in this stylish all metal timepiece from Spinnaker.

Spinnaker Watches collaborated with the Marine Conservation Society to produce this limited edition model that’s a tribute to marine biologist and pioneering diver Hans Hass.

If you want to ditch the computers and keep it simple then this is definitely worth a look.

It feels reassuringly sturdy with it’s all metal band and easy to read rating bezel.

It’s waterproof to 300m and requires no batteries as this watch self winds from the motion of your hand through every day movement.

The winder unscrews to allow time, day and date adjustment and that my friends is all there is to this gorgeous watch. At least as far as the wearer is concerned. Behind that metal back is the smooth Japanese workings of a self winding watch. When it arrived in the box the watch was still and inactive. But the moment I removed it from the box it started to self wind. With just a small amount of movement, the second hand was moving.

For sailors who want to a sleek non electric time piece and for those divers who like to go under the water as well as on it.

I love this safety yellow colourway as it really stands out and is easy to read. This might not be to everyone’s taste though which is fine because the Spinnaker Hass comes in 9 different colourways.

Buy the Spinnaker Hass now on eBay

Buy Spinnaker Hass from Spinnaker

Casio Lithium Quartz

Best value sailing watch

Specifications: Type: Digital | Size: 48mm

Reasons to buy: Great value | Highly functional | 2 year warranty Reasons to avoid: Lacking in design | Lacking extensive features of premium alternatives

There’s no question that when it comes to affordable innovation, Casio is right up there.

Despite being one of the lowest-priced watches in our selection, the Casio Tide Watch Orange is a highly functional piece of kit which, in addition to all the usual time, day and auto date functions also features a tide graph and lunar phase display.

More conventional sailing watch functions include a timer, stopwatch and LED might. It is water resistant to 100m/10 bars and has a 2 year warranty, all packed into a 48mm diameter, 13 mm thick case.

Best sailing watch for racing

Ronstan Clear Start Race Timer

Best racing sailing watch

Specifications: Type: Digital | Size 65mm

Reasons to buy: Robust design with secure strap | Extra-large | easy to press silicon buttons | Great display Reasons to avoid: Some consumers report issues with clasp/strap

With wrist, hull, mast or boom mount options, the Swiss-made Ronstan ClearStart Race Timer is aimed squarely at racing sailors.

Made by renowned rigging and hardware company Ronstan, it’s a robust design with a secure elastic strap and substantial ‘bumper’ around the digital display.

The ClearStart Race Timer’s features include extra-large, easy-press silicon buttons, a highlighted start/stop button, oversized 16 mm digits set in a 65mm rotating face and a double line display simultaneously showing the race countdown and time.

In addition, the ClearStart Race Timer offers ‘5-4-1-0’ and Match Racing start sequence programmes, making it a great choice for competitive sailors. Ruggedly constructed and built to last, this sailing watch weighs in at 92 grammes and is water-resistant to 50 metres.

Buy the Ronstan ClearStart Race Timer now from West Marine

Optimum Time Series 14 Rechargeable sailing watch

Specifications: Type: Digital | Size: 68mm

Reasons to buy: Rechargeable battery | Packed with features | Suitable for mounting Reasons to avoid: Basic design

Optimum Time’s bold coloured watches are popular among racing sailors from dinghies upwards, and the new rechargeable design makes it more sustainable for anyone who uses theirs frequently.

Featuring a 36mm diameter LCD display mounted within a bright red and black 68mm ABS case, Optimum Time’s Series 14 watch is a substantial device that is equally suited to being mounted on a mast or boom as your wrist, while the digits are large enough to allow crew to see the same timer as the skipper.

Waterproof to 5 ATM (i.e. capable of withstanding a pressure of 5 bar), the sailing watch is packed with useful features and comes complete with a bespoke USB charger clamp for convenient charging.

Buy the Optimum Time Series 14 now on Amazon

Timex Intelligent Quartz Yacht Racer watch

Best analogue racing sailing watch

Specifications: Type: Analogue | Size 46mm

Reasons to buy: Striking analogue display | Countdown timers Reasons to avoid: Larger than average design | Complex to set up | lacks reset button | Expensive

This is a very striking analogue watch, designed to appeal specifically to racing sailors who don’t want a digital display. It features a racing countdown timers (from 5 mins, 3 mins or 1 minute), then after the start the chronometer automatically starts a race timer for up to one hour.

This is a larger than average design, at 46 mm (1.81” in) diameter and 14mm (0.55” in) thick.

However, this watch is complex to set up, as some functions require three buttons to be pressed in sequence. There is also no ‘reset’ button for anyone who misses their start sequence timer.

Buy the Timex Intelligent Quartz Yacht Racer now on the Watch Shop

Optimum Time Series 3 sailing watch

Best all-round racing sailing watch

Specifications: Type: Digital | Size: 65mm

Reasons to buy: Great price | Highly functional | Easy to read Reasons to avoid: It’s really big

The popular ‘big yellow’ Optimum Time Series 3 is a lower-priced, yet highly functional racing watch. And it truly is big – far too large for my wrist at a gigantic 65mm (2.56” in) diameter and 16mm (0.62” in) thick. It’s also available in colours other than yellow – including white, blue and pink.

An advantage for racing is that this watch is easy to read at a distance thanks to its huge 16mm digits. A bracket is supplied to fix it to a mast. It also has a sync button if you miss the start gun, and can then run a repeat sequence or race timer for handicap competitions.

Robust, and water resistant to 5 ATM, with a wide elasticated strap.

Buy the Optimum Time Series 3 now on Amazon

Ronstan Clearstart RF4055 sailing watch

Best specialist racing sailing watch

Specifications: Type: Digital | Size: 50mm

Reasons to buy: Multiple start sequence options | Match racing timer | Can sync for early/late start Reasons to avoid: Larger than average design

This sailing watch is another specialist racing design. Race mode features include multiple start sequence options, match racing timer and the ability to sync for an early or late start.

The Clearstart RF4055 is unusual in that it has a fibreglass case, which is available in striking yellow and red as well as the more subtle black. It has a 50mm (2″) diameter face, which is larger than most watches, with a 13mm (0.5″ in) digital display, and the weight is 74gm (2.61oz), though the buttons have a lower profile than some other race watches making it neater to wear on shore.

Buy the Ronstan Clearstart RF4055 now on Amazon

Buy the Ronstan Clearstart RF4055 now on eBay

Optimum Time Series 12 sailing watch

Best audible racing sailing watch

Specifications: Type: Digital | Size: 26mm

Reasons to buy: Audible warning features | Many colour choices Reasons to avoid: No GPS or interconnectivity | Small display is hard to read in hectic moments

Another race timer with countdown time and pre-programmed start and audible warnings. Despite its more smart watch-style appearance, there is no GPS or interconnectivity, but you do get a countdown repeat option, World Sailing 5-4-1-0 start sequence pre-programmed with audible warning signals, and a sync button.

The Optimum Time Series 12 is available in many colours, but has a small 26mm (1.02” in) display, with 10mm (0.34” in) figures, which will make it hard to read in the middle of a hectic race start.

Buy the Optimum Time Series 12 now on eBay

Gill Race Watch Timer

Best racing sailing watch for watersports

Specifications: Type: Digital | Size 44mm

Reasons to buy: Water-resistant to 30 metres | Carbon housing | The sleep feature preserves battery life Reasons to avoid: Basic design and functions

This striking red and black Race Watch Timer is a sailing-specific watch developed exclusively for watersports apparel company Gill. It’s water-resistant to an impressive 30 metres, with the timepiece unit encased in a reinforced carbon ABS plastic housing with a stainless steel back.

As well as telling the time, the sailing watch’s functions include a countdown with synchro, day, date and alarm. There’s a keyboard lock feature to you don’t accidentally change the settings and an electro-luminescent backlight allows the wearer to check the data day or night.

A neat sleep feature preserves and prolongs battery life in a ruggedly constructed unit designed for durability and years of trouble-free service.

Limit ProXR Countdown sailing watch

Best value racing sailing watch

Reasons to buy: Large, clear, easy to read display | Multiple design options | Dual time, stopwatch, countdown and pacer functions Reasons to avoid: Lacks features/functions of more premium competitors | Chunky

Limit has been producing watches for more than 110 years and specialises in offering a wide variety of styles at great value prices.

For a budget-friendly sailing watch option, the Limit ProXR Countdown comes with a large, clear and easily readable display and is backed by a two-year guarantee.

It also has a dual time display and stopwatch, countdown and pacer functionality. No fewer than five alarms can be set and there’s a night time illumination facility.

Available in a choice of orange/black or blue/black, the looks of this chunky 50 mm case diameter sailing watch certainly belie its low price tag.

Buy the Limit ProXR Countdown now on gooutdoors.co.uk

Ulysse-Nardin The Ocean Race Diver

Specifications: Type: Analogue | Size: 44mm

Reasons to buy: manufacturer with a strong history in watch making | ‘green’ credentials | classy and collectible Reasons to avoid: Lacks features/functions of more sailing-specific watches | you’ll need deep pockets

Swiss watchmaker Ulysse Nardin sourced discarded fishing nets to upcycle into the base material for this watch, highlighting the 640,000 tonnes of nets that are discarded at sea each year.

In addition, 95% of components for the mechanical movement are sourced from within 30km of Ulysse Nardin’s site.

Buy The Ocean Race Diver now on ulysse-nardin.com

FAQ: What makes the best sailing watch?

The ability to read the time, countdown or data in a hurry or at an angle is key, so look out for digital readouts with large numbers – some sailing watches have the ability to switch from digital to analogue readouts – and screens that can be viewed in different qualities of daylight. Backlit functions are essential for anyone heading offshore, whether racing or cruising.

A well-fitting wristband or strap with a secure clasp is vital to keep the watch on your arm. Most sailing watches have soft rubber or synthetic wristbands, which are more durable in a marine environment, and safer than steel. Rubber straps are also lighter and easier to adjust.

If you plan to use your watch for race start timing, look for programmable start sequence options, a sync button, countdowns that switch to seconds in the final stages. A loud, clear alarm or ‘beep’ function that tells you time to the gun is particularly useful, so you can keep watching your course, trim and other boats around you during the final approach to the line rather than having to glance at your wrist.

You can read more about other types of GPS enabled and waterproof fitness trackers and smart watches at YBW.com

Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Head to Amazon’s dedicated boating page for more marine products.

• Christopher Ward
• Grand Seiko

Yachting Timers & Watches

At worn&wound we’ve long been fascinated by watches that were designed specifically for individual sporting events. This is part of a series on these unique timepieces.

Yacht timers – also referred to as regatta timers, yachting chronographs, or sailing watches – are watches specially designed and made for the countdown to the start of a sailing race. As you can imagine, starting a race on water, with entrants powered by the wind, is not as easy as lining up on a grid, Formula 1 style, or lined up like sprinters at a track meet, waiting for the starting gun. As we just saw in the recent America’s Cup races in San Francisco, the yachts (we use the term loosely in the case of the America’s Cup boats) are already at speed as they approach the starting line. The trick for the skipper is to NOT cross the starting line before the starting gun goes off. If they do, they’re penalized quite heavily (how and how much depends on the rules in effect for the specific race).

So some sort of a count-down timer is useful to the pilot and tactician. Horns signal the start of the countdown period and a skipper can start his yacht timer by the audible signal. He then has an on board measurement of progress to the start of the race, and can sail his yacht accordingly – hopefully to reach the starting line, at speed, just as the starting gun sounds.

Over the decades there have been numerous yacht timers and specialized chronographs produced by the world’s watch companies. Perhaps the most well-known yachting timer today is the Rolex YachtMaster, but there are others, past and present. Current and recent pieces include those from Tutima, Alpina, Atlantic, Omega, Panerai, and IWC, as well as electronic offerings from TAG Heuer, Suunto, Tissot and others.

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 SuperOcean (both in regatta timing trim), the Memosail (two are on eBay as we write this), Lemania’s self-branded Regatta Yacht Timer in handheld stopwatch format, and the wonderfully busy Wakmann.

Regatta timers have various ways of indicating the countdown time. There’s typically a multi-colored or numbered disc rotating beneath the dial with the colors or numerals showing through windows similar to a date disc. Five vari-colored dots – usually blue followed by red (Alpina, Regate), numerals against colored backgrounds (Memosail), or a separate chrono hand coupled with colored zones on the watch’s bezel (Tutima, Bretling, Heuer) or indicating time remaining to the start via a separate scale within the dial (Rolex).

Heuer’s Autavia Skipper was part of the legendary Autavia line in the 1970s. It featured the Autavia’s classic tonneau shaped case, a red, white, and blue countdown sub-dial at 3 o’clock, a small seconds at 10 o’clock, and date at 6. Chrono pushers were in the classic locations at 2 and 4, but the crown was positioned at 9 o’clock. The watch featured a 60 minute rotating bezel, and examples are often see with a blue dial & bezel combination.

Heuer’s Yacht Timer from the 1960s came in both a wrist-mounted version and a handheld stopwatch form factor. Color-wise, regatta timer dials are never shy, and the Heuer is no exception. This watch was basically a fifteen or thirty minute stopwatch (there were at least two versions) with a multi-colored dial formatted and printed for the countdown function.

Aquastar’s Regate, also branded and sold as Heuer, Tissot and other brands such as “Racing”  in the early 1980s, used a Lemania movement with a classic five-dot/ window format, with a tri-colored rotating disc beneath the dial. five windows for five minutes, and once the timing started the colored wheel would progressively show thru the windows, changing them one at a time from blue to red to white (or silver).

In the 1960s and early 1970s, Breitling produced watches in regatta timing trim in both the Chronomat and SuperOcean lines. The Chronomat featured a center mounted minute with a multi-colored inner chapter ring. The SuperOcean used the center-mounted totalizing hand with a multi-colored bezel. These black-cased watches featured Venus 178 or 188 movements, modified to handle the unique needs of a yachting chronograph.

Lemania’s self-branded Regatta Yacht Timer is another handheld stopwatch format timer. The timing function is the familiar series of five windows with a colored disc beneath, but with the letters S-T-A-R-T replacing the third color (similar to the Memosail).

The Wakmann , yet another 1970s piece, looks almost too nice to have been a working watch. To us, it looks more like a dress watch for the Yacht Club awards banquet (but then, so does the current Rolex Yachtmaster II). The timer’s motor is a Lemania Caliber 1341 automatic with hour sub-dial at 6 o’clock and running seconds at 9 o’clock. Countdown chrono minutes and seconds are indicated by center mounted hands with orange tips. The display has a lot going on, with a date window at 3 o’clock, a white stationary chapter ring with days of the month, a multi-colored chapter ring with days of the week (moveable via a secondary crown at 10 o’clock – line it up with the correct day of the week for the current month), and a third multi-colored chapter ring outside the first two, this one with 15 countdown minutes in the first quadrant and a tachymeter over the following three quadrants. We’d be concerned about reading this in the heat of racing battle. That said, we love this watch for its center minutes totalizer, its unique display of day of the week and month, and it’s cool 1970s cushion styling.

With ultra-modern quartz-based timers available (TAG Heuer produced what was effectively a dedicated smartwatch, specifically to be worn by members of the America’s Cup Team Oracle, which relayed real-time data stream of boat performance to each crew member), and the inevitably harsh conditions of sailboat racing, these wonderful vintage racers have probably seen their heyday (one can’t imagine a skipper actually wearing a Rolex Yachtmaster II in a modern race). But their unique styling, and sheer mechanical timing abilities are works of wonder in any age. We’d wear one, even if it’s only to sail our desk into next week.

by Ed Estlow

special thanks to our friends at analogshift.com for lending us the Wakmann

and Francesco B for use of his Racing Regatta images

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11 Nautical Watches For Sailing Your Next Regatta In 2021

Sailing requires precision, so a watch that’s designed to have accurate timing is one of the most important things in a yachtsman’s outfit.

Watchmakers have focused on this art for centuries. A company like Breguet, for instance, has been specializing in nautical watches over 200 years, making chronometers for the French Royal Navy. There’s the Marine Équation Marchante 5887, which is currently priced at over $200,000.

More brands soon followed and evolved, maintaining craftsmanship, precision, and hefty price tags. Some of the first brands that stand out include Aquastar, Breitling, Tag Heuer, Omega, and Rolex.

One of the most important things to look for in a sailing watch is a countdown timer. It is extremely important for a skipper to measure the interval that leads to the start of the race/regatta, which can be extremely challenging due to the wind conditions and current.

Ideally, you want a countdown timer that automatically converts to a race chronograph when it hits zero, like the one on the Tissot Sailing Touch Watch.

This article will feature both old and new brands, as well as different price points from affordable ones to luxury options. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the most efficient models on the market today.

Best Sailing Watches

Optimum time series 12 sailing watch: budget pick.

If you are looking for an affordable yet functional sailing watch, one of your best bets is the Optimum Time Series Sailing Watch.

This watch has a silicone strap (which can be personalized with different highlight colors), a stainless steel buckle, and a large display. You have the option to use its three-row display for easy viewing of the time and the timer at the same time.

The shock resistance OS Series 1231R has new and improved features like a clearer display/contrast and high contrast dot matrix display. Its USB-powered charging is convenient too. This one has a more casual, laid-back design, and is water-resistant up to 5ATM. It also has the Sync Button which allows you to get back to the race if you miss the gun. It’s not the most durable watch on the market, but it is priced as a budget watch.

Timex Intelligent Quartz Yacht Racer Watch

The analog Timex Intelligent Quartz Yacht Racer boasts of a pre-programmed date feature that only needs to be set once—you don’t need to adjust it for decades thereafter. This one was built especially for the sport, timing the race from start to finish.

This watch is water-resistant up to 330 ft, so it can also be used for swimming and snorkeling, and the newer models also have the Indiglo feature.

One of the things that a number of users have pointed out is the size of the watch. It’s 46 millimeters in diameter and is 14 millimeters thick, so it is usually preferred by users with bigger wrists. The price tag is very reasonable, making it an excellent entry-level watch for a first regatta.

Tissot Men’s Sailing Touch Watch

One of the most important features of the Tissot Sailing Touch is a countdown function, which turns into a race chronograph once it reaches zero. The watch also has a compass, barometer, and a tide feature (informs you of the time of high tides and low tides, and if they are coming in or going out).

This watch can assist you when competing in regattas, as it has a regatta timer that will let you position yourself on the starting line.

Some of the other design highlights include luminous markers and hands, a sapphire crystal interface, a backlight, and two time zones. The time is analog, which can also be displayed on the LCD. It also has a perpetual calendar. You can choose from a number of bezel colors too (red, blue, and silver).

Garmin Quatix 5

If you’re looking for a watch that has multisport functions, this should be at the top of your list. Garmin is a trusted brand when it comes to smartwatches for sports, so you’re sure that you’ll have some of today’s best technology.

The Garmin Quatix 5 is built on the powerful Fenix 5 platform, a smartwatch designed for use in the water.

This powerful GPS marine smartwatch has a heart rate monitor (it’s wrist-based, so you don’t need to use a chest strap). Aside from the boat features, this model also has functions for a wide array of sports (ie. running, hiking, biking, swimming, etc.)

Garmin has dozens of models for different sports and fitness activities, but the reason why the Quantix model made our list is that it has a Garmin SailAssist™ Capabilities that allows the user to have a virtual starting line. There is also a tack assist and a race countdown timer.

This one is excellent on water, but it’s equally efficient on dry land too. Its simple design is also excellent for daily wear.

Suunto Ambit

Another powerful multisport watch, the Suunto Ambit3.

Suunto is another brand that you can count on for use both on water and dry land. If you’d like a brand new Suunto for sailing, this multi-sport watch is compatible with sailing-specific apps available on the Movescount, a website and community that helps Suunto users to customize their watches.

A Suunto model that is excellent for these apps is the which relatively more affordable than the previously-discussed Garmin Quatix.

The Ambit 3, an outdoor and adventure watch, has ABC features (altimeter, barometer, compass), GPS, route navigation, heart rate feature, and weather information. It is also known for its excellent battery life, with 200 hours and 1-minute accuracy. Design-wise, the all-black design is much more subdued than some of the bright, luxury sports watches on this list.

The brand’s sailor-specific watch, the Suunto Elementum Ventus was one of our top picks in the past but this one is actually not being produced anymore, but you may still find second-hand models on the market today. Occasionally one will pop up on eBay ( if you’re in the UK/EU you could also search watchshop.com).

The Suunto Elementum Ventus is a smartwatch with a sleek and sophisticated design, sapphire crystal glass, stainless steel case, and leather strap. Some of the sailing features include a sailing timer, chronograph, compass, and weather predictions.

Now that we’ve got the more affordable models covered, it’s time to focus on the luxury brands.

Corum Admiral AC One 45 Tides

This brand also has a rich history. Swiss brand Corum has been around since the 1950s. It’s a prolific company, regularly producing new, limited-edition models. One of its most popular releases is the Admiral’s Cup line of watches, which started production in the 1960s.

The Admiral AC One 45 Tides, the updated model. has gone through a number of updates but stays true to its original design.

Its CO 277 caliber movement, which was meticulously developed for years with the Astronomic Observatory of Geneva and the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Services of the French National Navy. This CO 277 caliber is a unique movement that is specialized for tide indicator is what sets this watch model apart from the competition.

This one has a distinct 45mm dodecagonal titanium case, a brushed titanium bezel, an anti-reflective sapphire crystal case, and a vulcanized rubber strap. What makes this model special is the tides indicator: tide time and strength, lunar cycle, and strength of the currents/ height of the tides.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master, a regatta watch, is one of the most popular luxury yacht watches out there. The brand boasts of being “the only chronograph in the world with a mechanical memory,” a watch for water sports and sailing.

TheYacht-Master caliber 4161, is a “self-winding mechanical chronograph movement” developed by the company. The first-ever model of this Rolex was released in 2010. The movement, which comprises of 360 parts, took approximately 35,000 hours to create.

The Yacht-Master II is made of Oystersteel (developed by Rolex), which is powerfully resistant superalloys used in high-technology industries, which makes it exceptional in harsh environments. Users can program the countdown for a duration of between 1 and 10 minutes that returns to its previous setting at reset.

It’s waterproof up to 330 feet or 100 meters, is scratch-resistant and has a power reserve of approximately 72 hours.

Ulysse Nardin Marine Regatta

Another popular name in luxury regatta watches, the Swiss Ulysse Nardin Marine watch. This regatta chronograph has meticulously designed kinematics to ensure that it’s extremely precise.

One of the of highlights the Ulysse Nardin is the way that the chronograph starts. In most watches, the sailor activates the countdown, stops the countdown at the start of the crossing line, and then start the chronograph.

The UN Marine Regatta is designed to automatically switch from countdown to chronograph at the start at the end of the countdown. The company also assures an extended five-year warranty (which started in 2017) for anyone who buys a brand-new model.

Ulysse Nardin has been making precision marine chronometers since 1846, pioneering innovative products that continue to stay relevant today.

Panerai Luminor 1950 Regatta

Panerai has an interesting history. It is an old brand that entered the civilian market in the 90s, but prior to this, it created dive watches for the Royal Italian Navy’s underwater missions during World War II.

This history, and of course its precision, utilitarian features, and beauty has gained the brand passionate fans and collectors to this day.

Made especially for sailing, this classic dive watch has a professional regatta countdown.

The Panerai Luminor 1950 Regatta features a  47mm brushed titanium case with a rubber bracelet, the bezel is polished titanium, and the dial is black with luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers.

Bremont Regatta AC

The Bremont Regatta AC (America’s Cup) is a limited edition model (the company only produced 235 pieces) and is no longer in production.

You can still, however, try your luck searching for sellers on eBay.

Priced at around $6,800 when it was still available, this is relatively more affordable than the two luxury brands above. This series, along with a partnership with Oracle Team USA (OTUSA), were released in Baselworld 2016 with much acclaim. A Blog to Watch quoted Oracle Team USA Skipper Jimmy Spithill as saying (about both AC and OTUSA):

“Naturally, we have a central digital clock on the boat but every sailor still likes to have the time on his wrist, and before a race the countdown to the start is critical. It’s a really tough sport both mentally and physically, and not only does the team need to make decisions under immense pressure but we need to have equipment that allows us to do so,” Spithill said. “With the countdown function being so crucial when racing out on the water, we are really delighted that Bremont has invested in this for us and it’s incredibly special for me that the watches also incorporate some of our winning AC72 which I skippered in 2013.”

Some of the main features of the AC include a titanium case material, automatic movement, sapphire glass, and rubber bracelet. The sleek, classic design of this chronograph timepiece exudes elegance without being flashy.

TNG Classic Tornado Sailing Chronograph

This is one of the relatively newer brands on this list, but you can count on the company to produce a competitive product. One of TNG’s founders is Olympic sailor Herbert Dercksen, who has won multiple times at the World Tornado Championships. Co-founder Frans Dingerdis is also a sailor and marketing specialist.

The TNG (Tack & Gybe) Classic Tornado Sailing Chronograph has a full automatic sailing time that’s ready for a five and ten-minute countdown. This Swiss-made model has a simple, classic look that will look good in the water and for daily use.

Some of the other features of this Swiss-made/Dutch-designed chronograph are sapphire scratch-resistant crystal, a power reserve of 42 hours, automatic winding, 28.800 vibrations per hour, and superluminous indexes/hands. The design is a sapphire scratch-resistant crystal, a stainless steel case, and a screw-in crown and case back.

Sailing watches are clearly not cheap, but considering the time and workmanship that goes into every device, they deserve the investment.

Good luck with your search, whether you’re looking for a watch for your first regatta, or looking for a more high-end watch to add to your collection.

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All You Need to Know about Regatta Timers in Sailing Watches

With the passion for watches often connected to the spirit of history and tradition, it naturally makes sense to link such emotion to one of the oldest forms of human and mechanical competition - competitive sailing. Thought to date back to the Netherlands in the 17th century, sailing races (collectively called a regatta) are steeped in tradition including the start sequences that generated the need for a yacht timer.

Starting a Race

Unlike an auto race, or even a foot race, a sailboat can neither stand still on a starting grid nor can it accelerate quickly from a stop.

Instead, yachts will be in motion well before the starting line. One could think of it like a foot race where you are allowed to get a running start. The key to a proper start is crossing the starting line as soon as the starting signal sounds (but not before) and while moving as fast as possible on a good heading.

Unique Needs of a Sailing Watch

The starting procedure of a sailing race involves a series of flags and horns, but in essence, it is a 5-minute countdown (in some rarer instances 10 minutes). For that reason, most regatta timers have timing countdowns of five minutes or increments of five.

Here is the breakdown of a start:

5 minutes to start: A flag and horn to signal the start of the countdown. Engage your regatta timer on a five minute countdown.

4 minutes to start: A second flag and horn sounds. This is both a second timing reminder as well as a flag displaying starting rules of the race. If one didn’t start their 5-minute countdown, they can begin a 4-minute countdown now.

1 minute to start: Flag change and final preparatory signal.

0 minutes to start: Starting flag and signal. 

As a member of a sailing crew is likely extremely busy both positioning for a start as well as navigating around other yachts, most regatta timers are designed with high visibility in mind. Looking at both current production and vintage timers, you are likely to see high-visibility color combinations.

Why the Yachtmaster II

Unlike the standard  Yachtmaster , the Yachtmaster II features a unique regatta timing movement which improves upon the process. Our team covered the process of setting a Yachtmaster II in a  previous article .

What makes the Yachtmaster II unique is the “sync” button. Let’s use the 5-minute starting process described above as an example.

5 minutes to start: Let’s say that the designated timer on the boat was currently adjusting a sheet at the time of the signal. By the time they hit the start button on the timer, 10 seconds has elapsed. With a traditional regatta timer, your options are limited and most likely they would just try to mentally adjust the offset.  However with a Yachtmaster II, they can synchronize at the 4-minute mark.

4 minutes to start: The second horn sounds. The wearer presses the sync button, and the YM II jumps  to the nearest minute, thereby putting their yacht on the exact countdown time as the race director.

1 minute to start: They are still in sync.

0 minutes to start: You cross the starting line right as the starting horn sounds.

I Don’t Own a Boat, Do I Still Need a Regatta Timer?

If you’re expecting us to talk you out of a watch purchase, you are clearly in the wrong place. If you need a practical use, we might recommend timing a steak on the grill and thinking about 400+ years of nautical heritage. But first you have to decide: steel or two-tone?

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Everest Bands

Published on May 11th, 2016 | by Daniel Sherman Fernandez

Nautica NMX 15 Digital Yachtimer

Nautica Watches introduces the NMX 15 Digital Yachtimer, a new digital watch with a sophisticated modern look. Housed in an impressive 55mm case, this timepiece is rugged in look, yet lightweight in feel. The soft silicone strap wraps neatly around the wrist, making it comfortable to wear both for a day out at sea or on a stroll through city streets. Fitted with a digital chronograph module featuring a yacht/sailing mode, this timepiece offers multiple levels of precise timing for the water sport enthusiast, including a countdown timer, an automatic count-up timer and data recall.

The NMX Digital Yachtimer also has two time modes in addition to the alarm, timer and chronograph functions, making it the ideal watch for day or night, land or at sea.

Technical details Case: Ø 55mm steel case with matte blue coating and six screws on the top ring Dial: digital with time and date logo at 12 o’clock WR: 100m – 10 ATM (328ft) Movement: digital chronograph Functions: countdown, chronograph functions, timer, alarm Strap: matte blue, slotted – tongue buckle

About the Author

Daniel Sherman Fernandez www.dsf.my is a service to the public and other website owners. www.dsf.my is not responsible for, and expressly disclaims all liability for, damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on any information contained within the site www.dsf.my. While the information contained within the site is periodically updated, no guarantee is given that the information provided in this website is correct, complete, and up-to-date. www.dsf.my is not responsible for the accuracy or content of information contained inside.

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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.

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Best Boating Watches For The Avid Sailor

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

May 1, 2023

‍ Key Takeaways

• Sailing watches come in many variations and intended uses
• A digital sailing watch can be ideal if you enjoy advanced technology on the water
• Many sailing watches can track your data in real-time and give feedback
• A great sailing watch does not have to break the bank but some are quite expensive
• Sailing watches are often used for sailing races to help track the countdown timer

‍ Sailing watches are quite useful for sailors that spend a lot of time on the water. But what are the best watches for boating?

The best sailing watches are from reputable brands such as Seiko, Tissot, Casio, Garmin and Optimum. There are other sailing watch brands that make a competitive product such as Wrist Armor, Garmin, and Timex. What makes one sailing watch better than another will vary based on many factors.

Accurate timekeeping is crucial when sailing and that is why certified sailing watches are necessary. Dive watches are similar and they offer more benefits for sailing due to their complexity. In my experience there is a watch to suit every need.

Table of contents

‍ The Top 12 Best Sailing Watches

Different types of sailing watches offer various styles and functions. Some of these include smartwatches that have multiple features including MOB (man overboard) alerts, tidal calculations, and race timers.

Waterproof self-winding watches are also effective but may not have all of the same features. The introduction of smartwatch technology has revolutionized sailing and allowed navigation and communication tools easily wearable on the wrist.

Garmin Quatix 5 Multisport Marine Smartwatch

The Garmin sailing watch has a Quick Fit band system, steel bezel, and rear case for 24/7 monitoring without a chest strap. It also connects with the free Garmin connect app to link with chart plotters and other devices for remote waypoint marking, data streaming, and autopilot control.

The watch includes a built-in Fusion-Link Lite app for controlling stereo-active products. It offers exceptional activity tracking but it may not be the best choice for rugged outdoor activities due to its high price so keep this mind.

• Helps keep up with your activities
• Can keep track of vitals and has GPS
• Has sailing assistance capabilities
• Might be too expensive compared to other brands
• Smartwatch might not work for those that have difficulty with electronics

Seiko Divers Watch

The Seiko sailing watch blends sporty and classy aesthetics with superior functionality and affordability. Its screw-down crown and unidirectional rotating bezel are notable attributes. It checks all the boxes for basic sailing needs such as:

• Water-resistant
• Easy to see luminous hands
• Scratch-resistant
• Sturdy and ideal for rugged activities

The watch's small size is sleek and unobtrusive but it may not be suitable for individuals with larger wrists. The bezel may also be challenging to turn. It has proven to be a dependable and fashionable choice for everyday wear and outdoor pursuits at an affordable price point.

• Sturdy enough to handle many water activities
• Quality construction and water-resistant
• Classic look that many boaters admire
• Large wrists might not work with wrist strap
• Bezel might be difficult to rotate

Casio Sport Sailing Watch

This water-resistant sailing watch is ideal for everyday use including light water activities and showering. It features a silent tick and a rotating bezel but its grip can be challenging at times. The rubber band has a sliding holder to keep the excess strap secure.

It is not recommended for deep diving and does not have glow or backlight functions. It is a classic diver-style watch that is durable and affordable with a straightforward appearance.

• Solid water resistance of 328 feet
• Arguably the most affordable under $30
• Constructed from resin with a sturdy buckle fastening
• Not meant for diving deep or long periods in the water
• Difficult to see at night or dark environments

Optimum Sailing Watch Time Series

This regatta timer watch is ideal for sail racing and favored by many enthusiasts for its large polarized display. It can be worn around your waist or stretched around the mast and has user-friendly features such as large buttons and the ability to rotate the display. It is also:

• Water-resistant up to five ATM (atmospheres)
• Shock-proof
• Specialized sailing timer functions

The strap may become floppy over time and there is a lack of countdown customization but it is still a durable and reasonably priced option. This watch is a must-have for anyone looking to be prepared for sail racing and is easy to read and use. It also happens to be a great choice for those on a budget.

• Water resistance rating up to five ATM (165 feet)
• Designed for regatta racers in mind due to regatta timer capability
• Easily adjusts to fit your wrist over can be worn over your sleeve
• Strap can become floppy or weakened over time
• Does not allow for custom countdown features

Ronstan Race Timer Sailing Watch

This watch stands out as a high-quality yacht racing timepiece with precise start race timing. It sets the standard for years to come and has a handy SYNC function. It is recommended that you test it out before regatta races since it can be difficult to start the timer if you are not familiar with it.It is affordable and can be programmed for other countdown sequences. It comes in three color combinations with contemporary styling that does not compromise usability.

• Has large digit displays provide effortless and convenient viewing
• SYNC button makes it easy to match countdown and ideal for sailors that enjoy races
• Sleek design with large buttons and intuitive programming
• Might need to practice working it before a race
• Instructions are somewhat unclear

Bulova Marine Star

Bulova's marine star sailing watch is a renowned nautical timepiece with stainless steel and rose gold-tone accents with a blue glass insert on the rotating bezel. It is waterproof up to 200 meters and has a six-hand chronograph movement that is perfect for marine activities.

The only downsides are that the lume fades quickly and it is not recommended for extreme diving. It can also be a costly option compared to other watches with the same characteristics.

• Perfect for pro marine pursuits and high-adrenaline surface water sports
• Reliable chronograph features incorporated in the design
• Water resistance rating of up to 656 feet
• Glow fades quickly
• Cannot be used for long diving adventures
• Might be too expensive for some

SUUNTO Core Sailing Watch

This functional nautical watch is a reliable companion for any adventure. It stands out for its ability to easily monitor direction using a rotating bezel or by locking onto your destination while exploring new places.

The plastic bezel and dim backlight are potential drawbacks. It can be used for many water applications and is equipped with a smart storm alarm, altimeter, and long battery life.

• Water-resistant up to 65 feet
• Can be used in different languages
• Has a barometer and compass as well as an altimeter
• Bezel is plastic and has printed numbers
• Backlight might be hard to see

Tissot Sailing Watch Multi-Function

The Tissot sailing watch is a durable timepiece with great scratch resistance. It has a Swiss quartz tactile movement and a racing chronograph feature. Its LCD display shows time, date, barometric pressure, compass heading and allows for two time settings and alarms.

The metal and rubber watchband is adjustable but the rubber strap and background light may be subpar. This versatile watch is suitable for sailors and non-sailors, with meteorological monitoring, perpetual calendar, two time zones, and chronometer functions. Its battery life can help be extended by a sleep function.

• Water-resistant up to 330 feet
• Expertly designed round case chronograph watch with luminous hands
• Displays relative pressure changes of past six hours through Histogram design
• Rubber strap is not the most durable
• Backlight not as bright as it could be

Garmin Instinct Watch

This branded GPS sailing watch is reliable in harsh conditions with global navigation satellite systems and preloaded activity profiles. It has auto data uploads to the brand’s fitness community and tracks stress, activity, and heart rate. The battery lifespan is short and iOS devices may have delayed responses.

It is compact and durable but also easy to navigate with a clear screen. The Garmin instinct is a great deal from a reputable brand.

• Water-resistant up to 328 feet and able to handle changes in water temperature
• Keeps up with vitals
• Includes a barometric altimeter and tri-axial compass
• Not a great battery life
• Seems to lag when connected to iOS devices

Wrist Armor Sport Watch

Wrist Armor offers an affordable high-quality marine watch with innovative components and military standards. It is perfect for sailing and outdoor activities that is easy to set up.

Despite lightweight packaging it offers maximum precision and performance under extreme conditions. It is arguably stylish and durable but is a great option that will not break the bank.

• Best suited for swimming or light water activities
• Affordable and has dual time, alarm, and backlight
• Water-resistant up to 165 feet

Timex Intelligent Quartz

The Timex INDIGLO Night-Light watch is a highly-rated sailing timepiece that is water-resistant up to 328 feet. Its analog thermometer and tide tracker are convenient features for aquatic activities and it maintains accurate timekeeping.

The sailing watch may not fit smaller wrists and is not intended for diving. This is a sailing watch intended for tech-savvy adventurers who love swimming and snorkeling.

• Easy to see hands and background with Indiglo
• Multiple functions including compass, monitoring tides, and gauging air and water temperature
• Great for light-water activities
• Not meant for diving
• Bezel attached to plastic channel

Nautica Sport Watch

Nautica makes some quality products among clothes and other apparel items. Their Quartz Resin Silicone watch is a popular and reliable sailing watch with a classic design.

Despite lacking fancy features it stands out among sailing watches and offers a variety of strap options. It is also an affordable option for those wanting something without spending too much on other expensive brands.

• Easy to dials with 24-hour timekeeping
• Durable and scratch-resistant
• Feels heavy on the wrist
• Might not fit larger wrists

Tips to Find the Best Sailing Watches

Finding the best sailing watches takes time and patience. To maximize the value of your investment in sailing watches you should prioritize factors like water resistance and functionality over style.

Regatta watches can enhance your look but you need to make sure to choose a yachting watch that can withstand the challenges of sailing. By choosing wisely you will get a watch that satisfies your requirements.

Choosing Reputable Brands

​​When shopping for functional sailing watches you should prioritize the brand and consider those with unique designs, superior quality, and a range of prices. Established brands often provide the best quality along with reliable product warranties and customer service.

Basic Functions

Discover multifunctional regatta timepieces with a range of unique features such as:

• Thermometer (for digital models)
• Date and day display (for analog models)

These watches also include luminous features and countdown timers that are essential for race countdowns and available on either bezels or dials. Some are equipped with GPS capabilities that are great for long-distance sailing trips. These are especially a strong buying point if you have older or out of date navigational tools.

Having a tide tracker on a sailing watch is beneficial but it may not always be completely accurate. To ensure you have the most precise information based on your location it is important to choose a high-quality tide-tracking watch.

Many regatta watches cater to water activities like swimming, diving, fishing, and snorkeling with varying water pressure resistance. To ensure durability it is important to know the pressure limit of the watch you want to buy. Some watches can withstand 328 feet while others are crafted for deeper diving up to 3280 feet.

Quality Materials

Regatta watches are manufactured using various materials for the machine, screen, and strap. Water-resistant stainless steel is used for the device and case to prevent water damage. Watch straps are made with leather, rubber or synthetic, and stainless steel.

Stainless steel watches are now coated with rust-proof material to make them seawater-friendly. Regatta watches are designed to be both functional and stylish for sailors.

Your Budget

Sailing watches are available in a wide range of prices. High-end brands command higher costs based on various factors such as the brand name itself and the materials that are used. Reasonably priced alternatives are also easily accessible if you do not mind losing out on a few options or the way it looks.

Different Types of Sailing Watches

There are many different variations of sailing watches. They also have different names based on the features they carry and are often called:

• Yachting watches
• Digital sailing watches
• A race countdown timer

Yacht countdowns are indicated uniquely with rotating discs displaying numbers or colors through date-like windows and differ among timer models. Even autopilot control is an option for different brands but some also have various chronograph functions.

Mechanical sailing watches are commonly made in Switzerland. These are water-resistant and rely on winding movements.

They are favored for their precision and can resist depths up to 1,000 feet. Some models are chronometer-certified or have chronographs for race timing.

The most expensive ones are chronograph chronometers. Prices for mechanical sailing watches begin at $2,000 and are more than their digital counterparts.

Digital sailing watches offer diverse costs and designs while some cater to certain functionalities. They usually operate on batteries to show information. They are ideal for feature seekers and are now more affordable.

While basic models display time, date, temp, and heading, they lack real-time data. Essential features like temp, heart rate, and compass operate offline.

Advanced models connect to offer various tools such as:

• GPS mapping
• Weather forecasts
• Speed tracking

Waterproof digital sailing watches are suitable for offshore sailing. These are unlike regular smartwatches so make sure you know the difference.

What are Water Resistance Ratings?

Water-resistant watches are rated in feet, meters, or atmospheres, but ratings can be misleading. A watch rated to 50 meters may not be waterproof enough for sailing.

A 3 ATM watch is only suitable for showering, while a 5 ATM watch is marginally waterproof. A 10 ATM watch is reliable for extended use at shallow depths and can withstand rain and ocean spray.

For budget-friendly sailing adventures, 5 ATM or 50 meters of shielding (about 160 feet) are necessary for coastal cruising or short water dips with these affordable sailing watches. Having a 20 ATM watch is safer for extended underwater activities and dive watches are the most waterproof. Most of the well-known dive watches for serious diving have a 30 ATM rating.

Why You Need a Sailing Watch

The best sailing watches serve a multitude of purposes. Investing in a classic sailing watch is crucial for extreme outdoor sports enthusiasts. These watches can make outdoor activities more enjoyable and worthwhile besides just looking great on your wrist.

The best sailing watch will help play a vital role in the success of races and activities in rugged conditions and provide an easy-to-use technology for tracking time, weather, and other important factors. Today's sailing watches are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, with a range of professional features and the ability to be adjusted using a mobile device.

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Best Sailing Watches in 2022 (From Budget to Luxury)

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Table of Contents

Best Sailing Watches

Garmin quatix 6 multisport – premium sailing smartwatch.

Read Amazon Reviews | See on Garmin

Tissot “Sailing Touch” Watch – Swiss-Made  

Casio Tide Watch (WS-1100H-4AVCF)

Optimum Time Sailing Watch: Simple Budget Pick

Garmin Quatix 5 

See the  quatix® 5 on Garmin.com | Read Amazon Reviews that mention “Sailing “

If you’re looking for a watch with multisport functions, this should be at the top of your list. Garmin is a trusted brand when it comes to smartwatches for sports, so you’re sure that you’ll have some of today’s best technology. The Garmin Quatix 5 is built on the powerful Fenix 5 platform, a smartwatch designed for use in the water. This is a good option if you want a more affordable version of the Quantix since the price has dropped since the release of the newers version 6.  There really are too many features to name here. If you want a closer look at what’s changed to see which is a better fit – check out this comparison of the Quatix 5 and 6 on Garmin. This powerful GPS marine smartwatch has a heart rate monitor (it’s wrist-based, so you don’t need to use a chest strap). Aside from the boat features, this model also has functions for a wide array of sports (i.e. running, hiking , biking , swimming, etc.) Garmin has dozens of models for different sports and fitness activities, but the reason why the Quantix model made our list is that it has Garmin SailAssist™ Capabilities that allow the user to have a virtual starting line. There is also a tack assist and a race countdown timer. This one is excellent on water, but it’s equally efficient on dry land too. Its simple design is also perfect for daily wear.

SUUNTO Core – All around value

The brand’s sailor-specific watch, the Suunto Elementum Ventus , was one of our top picks in the past but this one is not made anymore, but you may still find second-hand models on the market today. Occasionally one will pop up on eBay . The Suunto Elementum Ventus is a smartwatch with a sleek and sophisticated design, sapphire crystal glass, stainless steel case, and leather strap. The sailing features include a sailing timer, chronograph, compass, and weather predictions.

Garmin MARQ Captain (010-02006-06)

Read Reviews | See on Garmin.com

The Garmin MARQ Captain is an impressive luxury smartwatch filled to the brim with fantastic features for various activities. Along with Garmin’s staple features such as GPS, activity tracker, smart notifications, and Garmin Pay support – the MARQ Captain also provides Driver, Aviator, Expedition, Athlete, and Captain modes. This smartwatch is undoubtedly a masterclass in what these devices can achieve. Design-wise the Garmin MARQ is more oversized than your typical smartwatch. However, this bulkier appearance makes sense considering the MARQ’s build quality and feature-packed design. Also, despite the larger build of the Garmin MARQ, it is surprisingly lighter than you would think, at only 94 grams. In terms of features, the Garmin MARQ offers similar functionalities to the Garmin Fenix 6, and I would even dare say that the MARQ is simply a flashier version of the Fenix 6. However, one of the most notable features in the Garmin MARQ is undoubtedly the Athlete mode. This feature comes with layers of functionality that cover a vast selection of sports such as running, swimming, cycling, skiing, and golf. Besides the variety of sports features, MARQ also offers nifty functions such as a heart-rate sensor, stress tracking, and incident detection that sends notifications to your emergency contacts about your location. I also want to highlight the Recovery feature, which helps you keep track of your rest which can significantly help if you are nursing an injury. For sailing, I have to say that Garmin MARQ provides an unbeatable collection of features for sailors. The MARQ comes with a Regatta feature that helps you formulate the optimum route. The Tack feature also gives you real-time updates on wind shifts. In addition, the Garmin MARQ comes with a Man Overboard function that enables you to track a person who accidentally fell off the boat, which is one of its unique features. Garmin MARQ is undoubtedly one of the top options available in the market as a sailing watch. The Garmin Fenix 6 is a solid sailing watch, but the MARQ Captain is undoubtedly the more stylish of the two.

Ronstan ClearStart Sailing Watch – Budget

Corum Admiral AC One 45 Tides

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II

Ulysse Nardin Marine Regatta

Panerai Luminor 1950 Regatta

Bremont Regatta AC

[instagram url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BDRRISat_Ld/ hidecaption=true width=320] The Bremont Regatta AC (America’s Cup) is a limited edition model (the company only produced 235 pieces) and is no longer in production. However, you can still try your luck searching for sellers on eBay. It was priced at around $6,800 when it was still available, this is relatively more affordable than the two luxury brands above. This series and a partnership with Oracle Team USA (OTUSA) were released in Baselworld 2016 with much acclaim. A Blog to Watch quoted Oracle Team USA Skipper Jimmy Spithill as saying (about both AC and OTUSA):

“Naturally, we have a central digital clock on the boat but every sailor still likes to have the time on his wrist, and before a race the countdown to the start is critical. It’s a really tough sport both mentally and physically, and not only does the team need to make decisions under immense pressure but we need to have equipment that allows us to do so,” Spithill said. “With the countdown function being so crucial when racing out on the water, we are really delighted that Bremont has invested in this for us and it’s incredibly special for me that the watches also incorporate some of our winning AC72 which I skippered in 2013.”

Some of the main features of the AC include a titanium case material, automatic movement, sapphire glass, and a rubber bracelet. This chronograph timepiece’s sleek, classic design exudes elegance without being flashy.

TNG Classic Tornado Sailing Chronograph

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Our Favorite Nautical-Themed Watches

Most competitive sports require timing of the utmost precision, and none more so than professional sailing. Regatta events actually begin with a countdown to the official starting gun, typically somewhere between 10 and 15 minutes, when yacht skippers are required to maneuver their boats back and forth in front of the start line but without crossing it. Of course, during all that time they are at the mercy of the elements – strong winds or a choppy sea can test every ounce of skill from even the most experienced crews. Understandably, accurate timekeeping becomes critical in that highly-specific nautical situation. Jump the gun and penalties are incurred. Set off too late and risk languishing at the back for the entire race.

There have been a host of timepieces – in particular the Rolex Yacht-Master II  that have taken on the specific challenge of catering to the world’s professional sailors, each employing their own take on that all important countdown timer.  Below we have selected a few of the very best regatta timers with nautical styling.

Panerai Luminor 1950 Regatta 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic Titanio (PAM00526)

Never knowingly under-named, Panerai’s Luminor Regatta 3 Days (maybe we’ll just call it that for convenience) is part of a seven-strong team of watches in the brand’s lineup designed for the expert yachtsman. Launching in 2013, it is most definitely of the Luminor ilk, with its enormous 47mm girth, classic cushion-shaped case, and impenetrable crown guard.

However, thanks to the in-house P.9100/R movement, it also features an automatic chronograph with a flyback function, allowing the wearer to immediately synchronize the watch with a regatta’s official timer.  That is a lot of information for any one piece to display effectively, but Panerai’s effort is certainly one of the most legible around, thanks in no small part to the sheer expanse of real estate they have to work with.

The main hands are the regulation Luminor batons, but the countdown timer uses another pair of centrally mounted pointers; orange for the minutes and blue for the seconds. That use of color not only makes the whole thing extremely readable, it also works on an aesthetic level, giving the model a distinctive nautical style compared to its contemporaries.  

A trio of pushers control all aspects of the chronograph and timer; the start and stop button at the 10 o’clock, the flyback feature at the eight, and the regatta countdown at the four. It allows for split second coordination between the race clock and the watch and the ability to adjust instantaneously if needed.

For the rest, the case is forged from lightweight and extremely tough titanium, and the elegantly set up dial is protected by a sapphire crystal, second only to diamond on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.  With not much change out of $20,000, the Luminor Regatta 3 Days is certainly not the cheapest model out there, but its blend of utility, strength, nautical style and just pure size means you are getting a whole lot of watch for the money.

Bremont Regatta AC OTUSA

With their manufacturing headquarters in Henley-On-Thames, U.K., home of the incredibly posh Henley regatta, it stands to reason that Bremont would know their way around a nautical watch. Couple that with the fact co-founder Giles English trained as a naval architect, and it is obvious why the brand jumped at the chance of becoming both the British Official Timing Partner of the 35 th America’s Cup in 2017, and also the sponsors of the champion Oracle Team USA.

As a result of the collaboration, Bremont released a fleet of new watches within the Regatta AC family. While all models are well setup in terms of functionality, some options are significantly more dressy and sober of the two, doing away with the scale for the countdown register on the dial – something still present and correct on the sporty (and thoroughly nautical) OTUSA, alongside the pair of five minute counters and the 12-hour chronograph sub-dial.

It is a very different take on the yachting timer complication than the Panerai, offering even more information on a reduced canvas, although at 43mm, it is still by no means a small watch. Especially impressive are those dual five minute counters, displayed in asymmetrical apertures at the 12 o’clock. On the right hand side, a red disc marked 5-4-3-2-1 counts down in 30-second intervals after it is activated by the two o’clock pusher, while the blue arc on the left slowly reveals the word START as time ticks on. 

Behind it all is the Bremont BE-17E movement, based on the Valjoux 7750, heavily customized by longtime partners, La Joux Perret in Switzerland. Self-winding and with a 42 hour power reserve, a display case back shows it off, including the America’s Cup branding on the rotor.

All of the Regatta watches were released as special editions, with the OTUSA available with either a black or white dial housed in titanium three-piece (Trip-Tick) cases and limited to 235 units each. Handsomely efficient and with a novel approach to the problem, Bremont’s yachting duo are particularly impressive contributions from an under-the-radar manufacturer.

Rolex Yacht-Master II

The start of Rolex’s cautious dalliance with more advanced functionality, the Yacht-Master II first was announced back in 2007. It was a massive departure from Rolex’s existing Yacht-Master watch, in both feature set and aesthetics. As a result, it was a somewhat polarizing effort among fans, something which has been tempered a little over the years with the release of some more underplayed color combinations. 

The original, in solid yellow gold with a screaming blue bezel, was perhaps just a little much for some potential buyers. However these days, there are Everose Rolesor versions and all stainless steel models that are significantly more subtle, as well as a platinum and white gold piece which is positively monochromatic.

Even those who recoiled at the visuals couldn’t criticize the engineering behind it. The Yacht-Master II featured the Rolex Ring Command Bezel, which links directly to the movement to unlock the watch’s various functions.  Rotating the surround, engraved with numerals 1-10 (as well as the name of the watch in enormous letters in case you’d forgotten), opens up the programmable countdown timer. The wearer sets the duration of the countdown via the winding crown, and returning the bezel to the starting position locks, and (crucially) memorizes the setting. 

The timer is started with the top pusher, the elapsed seconds indicated by the sweep seconds hand, and the minutes by the red arrow on the horseshoe-shaped meter at the top. But the really clever part comes should the need arise to adjust the countdown. The lower pusher causes the second hand to reset and the arrow hand to synch to the nearest minute instantly, making the Yacht-Master II the first watch in the world with mechanical memory and flyback functionality. 

Key to it all is obviously the engine. The original references used the Cal. 4160, a heavily-reworked version of the Daytona’s Cal. 4130. Post-2013, the YMII has been granted a movement with a different name – now the Cal. 4161 – however functionality remains unchanged. With 360 separate components, it was the most complicated caliber Rolex had ever built, until obviously developing a taste for it, they brought out the Cal. 9001 for the Sky-Dweller’s GMT and annual calendar functions, which had an extra 20 bits shoehorned in.

While it may have split opinion, and continues to do so to some degree, the Yacht-Master II has become something of a celebrity favorite in recent years. NBA legends LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony are both avowed fans, as is Mark Wahlberg and Conor McGregor, who are often seen sporting their 18k yellow gold models. 

How much time any of those luminaries spend sailing in competitive regattas is unclear, but the unorthodox styling is clearly enough for them. Unquestionably among the largest, and definitely one of the most technically impressive showstoppers from Rolex , the Yacht-Master II makes a real statement whether on deck or shore side.

About Andy Callan

Andy Callan is a luxury watch writer for us here at Bob's Watches. His passion for the aesthetics of high-end mechanical watches, and the beauty of a hand-finished movement, has given him a lifelong obsession with all things horological.

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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

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