Conventional Heuer stopwatch ref. 912 WUS in splashproof box (circa 1950); Heuer made this yacht timer with its 10-minute countdown display for Abercrombie & Fitch. This Leonidas stopwatch,replica watches from the 1930s, uses five disappearing balls as a countdown to the start of a race.
Heuer's Aquastar Regate
Heuer made stopwatches and chronographs for yacht racing in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. However, it didn't offer a wristwatch to racers. Heuer partnered with Aquastar in 1964 to co-brand the Aquastar "Regate” chronograph. Heuer's ads for the Aquastar "Regate" chronograph were priced at $89.50. They asked, "Why would you spend fifty dollars on a waterproof yacht timer, when you can also get a wristwatch for only a few bucks?"
The Aquastar Regate was patented in 1964. It used five red balls that disappeared to count down to the start a yacht race. The pusher triggers the five red balls to appear. The seconds hand then flies back down to zero and begins running. Five minutes later, the red balls turn to silver and "disappear" when they match the dial's silver.
Heuer produced a Regate with "Aquastar Geneve” across the dial. The bottom had the Heuer shield. Heuer would soon offer Regatta models using the "disappearing ball" display.Rolex Milgauss Replica These models would remain in the catalog until the mid-1980s.
Heuer Aquastar Regate, first introduced in 1964
Intrepid Supplier
In September 1967, the 20th defense of the America's Cup took place off Newport, Rhode Island. Intrepid represented the New York Yacht Club. Olin Stephens designed the 12m-class yacht and Emil Mosbacher Jr., a celebrity sailor, was in charge. Both would later be inducted into America's Cup Hall of Fame. Jack Heuer reported that Heuer's US Country Manager had been active in yachting, and Heuer was given the mandate to supply the Intrepid timing equipment.
Intrepid won the best-of-7 series in four races, beating Dame Pattie from Australia. Photos show her crew wearing Heuer Aquastar Regate watches.
Heuer celebrated Intrepid's victory by creating a completely new chronograph model, the Skipper. The new Skipper, derived from the two-register Carreras at the time, is reference.panerai radiomir replica The new Skipper (ref. 7754) had a metallic blue dial with a light-green register for running seconds. Hodinkee's research suggests that the register's green colour matches the Intrepid deck. It was also chosen for its anti-reflective qualities. Heuer used a unique design for the 15-minute countdown function. The chronograph minute recorder was divided into three sections, and painted in the colors dark green, light green, and orange. The chronograph seconds hand, in keeping with yachtsmen's need for legibility is bright orange.
A modified Valjoux movement powered the first Skippers. The chronograph minute hand made a revolution every 15 minutes, and the skipper's jumps every 30 seconds. Collectors today refer to the first execution Skippers as "Skipperrera" because they are housed in the Carrera Case.
