See full version: Tag heuer regatta keeping stopwatch on
The Time for Action catalog shows only watches and chronographs, rather than stopwatches and other styles of timers. Accordingly, there are only two types of regatta chronographs, the Reference 134.500 and 505 models (in the smaller cases) and the Reference 134.601, 602 and 603, which use PVD cases, borrowed from the Autavias. All these chronographs use colored discs to countdown the 5-minutes sequences. [See more of the 1984 Time for Action catalog HERE.] [links]
The Reference 202.515 and 685.915 stopwatches used the same system of cut-out circles and a colored disc for the countdown as we see on the Regatta chronographs. Red circles appear during the first five minutes, white circles over the next five minutes, and the letters S-T-A-R-T over the last five minutes. [links]
I have been collecting Heuer timepieces for 15 years, but it was only in compiling this survey that I realized the great variety of stopwatches and chronographs that Heuer made for yacht timing and the depth of Heuer’s engagement in the sport.
The Supersport stopwatches are no longer in the line-up, but Heuer still shows seven stopwatches for yacht timing, four for the wrist and three handheld models. [links]
The timeline in Heuer’s 1973 Stopwatch catalog tells us that Heuer has developed the Supersport, a wrist stopwatch “in an attractive shape” that uses a central register for the minutes, to offer improved legibility. more
In this 1983 catalog, we also see what would be the final version of the Skipper. This Skipper, Reference 15640, borrows its case from the Reference 11063 Autavia, measuring 42.5 mm across the dial and 21 mm between the lugs, with a uni-directional rotating bezel. [links]
Caseback for the standard version and the Limited edition for Oracle Team USA.
To mark this partnership, TAG Heuer released a special edition of the Aquaracer 500m Chronograph with the only visible change being the small ‘Oracle Team USA’ added beneath the date window. here
In 2005, TAG Heuer introduces the new Aquaracer Calibre S Regatta , the world’s easiest-to-read and easiest-to-use electro-mechanic chronograph. To commemorate the launch, TAG Heuer signed a long-term agreement with China Team, the People’s Republic of China first ever America’s Cup sailing team. [links]
Besides as a normal chronograph, the TAG Heuer Searacer Regatta Chronograph also functions as a countdown timer for yacht racing. By depressing and holding the bottom chronograph pusher the chronograph is put into “Countdown” mode. This will be indicated by the red left register hand pointing in the downward position. The left register does not have a timing function in this mode and only acts as a countdown mode indicator. Once the countdown mode is activated, pressing the top chronograph pusher at 2 o’clock begins the countdown timing. [links]
The second generation Searacer was based on the S/el- Link case and again came in two versions, one branded S/el and a later series branded Link. Apart from the obvious difference, there are also small details changed between the two second-generation Searacer models, for example the S/el Searacer has an applied TAG Heuer logo in silver, while the Link models have the logo printed on the dial. here
And by the end of 2012 the Aquaracer 500m Calibre 72 countdown chronograph is introduced, as the first model in the 500m ceramic chronograph series. The watch has a ceramic bezel upon a steel case, and marks the return of the 5-minutes regatta visual timer. It becomes available in two versions, a standard one and a Limited Edition ‘Oracle Team USA’. [links]
Photo courtesy of TAG Heuer
It’s amazing to look at the difference between the TAG Heuer and Heuer Microsplit of the 1970s and 1980s (above) and the Heuer Microsplit mechanical stopwatch.
Photo courtesy of TAG Heuer
Stewart from heuerville.co.uk shot the whole sentence of countdown and you find the pictures here. [links]
1983 catalogue
credit: onthedash [links]
I always called the countdown cutouts with a colored disc rotating under it “5 dots”, named from the dots were drilled in the dial. You will find on other sides and on one or two advertisements the expression “balls”. So lets keep the first thought I had and call them 5 dots!
At first there were the stopwatches produced as yachting versions with different countdown times: 5, 10 and 15 minutes. As some stopwatches for some reasons were put on the wrist with straps it was a matter of time to put the function in wristwatches.
After the introduction of the Aquastar Regate the Lemania 1345 movement comes available for other brands as well. Several case versions of the Regatta Yachttimers are sold by Aquastar and Tissot. In the 1980’s also Omega, Heuer and Lemania itself used the 1345 movement in different regatta watches. here