An amalgam of precision and nostalgia, the new Skipper looks dashing and all set to sail the waters.
July 18, 2023: Taking the essence of watchmaking to new heights, Tag Heuer announced the re-launch of the ground-breaking yacht racing Skipper watch. It's the first Skipper after the brand stopped producing it around 40 years ago - and is now available at their stores.
The first Skipper model came out in 1968 and has graced myriads of sailor’s wrists till its final production in 1983. Even if the new watch has wholly unique new applications of craftsmanship, the appearance is similar to the original model that was born from Jack Heuer’s involvement with the world’s most historic yacht race – America’s Cup.
Here’s a bit of background on the brand’s partnership with the America’s Cup yacht, Intrepid. Back in the mid-1940s, sporting goods supplier Abercrombie & Fitch began commissioning Heuer to produce A & F-branded watches to sell in its New York stores. Following that, the brand has produced several timepieces such as the Solunar, Seafarer, and Mareographe chronographs for athletes.
To celebrate Intrepid’s 1967 America’s Cup win, Heuer crafted the Skipper chronograph with a 30-minute subdial that was adapted to count down the 15-minute regatta ‘pre-start in three, five-minute’ segments. Each of these segments was a different color, with vivid orange being used to alert the crew to the fact that there were just five minutes to go; green to represent the color of the boat’s rigging, and light teal to replicate the color of Intrepid’s deck.
Correspondingly, the new watch has a brushed round main dial in Carrera's characteristic blue, a color that was originally inspired by the water, and radically contrasting subdials, with the 12-hour counter being "Intrepid Teal" and the 15-minute regatta counter featuring parts in Intrepid Teal, Lagoon Green, and Regatta Orange.
The newly released 'glass-box' Carrera, whose design is ideal for the development of a sailing watch that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional, served as the inspiration for the new generation Skipper. The new watch also has a 39mm diameter casing similar to the Carrera's, a modern TH20-06 movement with bi-directional winding and an 80-hour power reserve, and, of course, a premium, durable textile strap.
The prominent, triangle-shaped marks spaced five minutes apart along the outer, curving flange; the central, brilliant orange seconds hand; and the presence of the term "Skipper" at the foot of the 12-hour counter are other characteristics borrowed from the historic watch.
- By Pritha Debroy
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