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Incredible Yachting Watches

• By Yachting Staff
• Updated: April 10, 2015

Ideal for sailing, this watch features a bidirectional rotatable bezel made of platinum or gold to track elapsed sailing time; large hour markers and hands ensure legibility.

An automatic movement tracks the phases on the moon on the face of this watch , with a black, blue, or silver dial.

Evoking the feeling of a fine Cuban cigar, this limited edition of 99 watches is dedicated to the true cigar lover. (Not available until mid-June 2015.)

A vintage design, this watch features an internal rotating bezel with a Milanese mesh metal strap, a metallic blue retro dial, and 100m of water resistance.

With 24 karat gold and Grade-5 titanium, this watch is as high end as you can get and also features an alligator strap layered over stainless steel mesh and titanium carbide.

Limited to 100 pieces, this watch celebrates the 55th anniversary of the very first automatic winding movement Grand Seiko; the new model comes in white, yellow, or pink gold with coordinating Crocodile straps.

In honor of the yachtsmen of Emirates Team New Zealand, this watch comes in a limited edition of 2,013 pieces and features a regatta start countdown indicator, a matte black ceramic bezel, and a black rubber strap with red detailing throughout.

This watch features a minimalist dial and case design in rose gold with stenciled Arabic numerals and a mother of pearl moonphase indicator at 3 o’clock.

Touch-activated functions like meteorological forecasting abilities, a tide-calculator, and regatta countdown, among others, make this watch stand out from the rest, and it features a bi-material bracelet with a safety clip and extensions.

With neither dial nor hands, this watch is constructed so that it moves about its own axis; it also features UlyChoc shock absorbers and two silicium impulse wheels to maintain balance and minimize friction.

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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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Rolex Yacht-Master Marine character

Launched in 1992, the Yacht-Master was designed specifically for navigators and skippers. This Professional-category watch provides a perfect blend of functionality and nautical style, making it equally at home on and off the water.

The Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master embodies the privileged ties between Rolex and the world of sailing that stretch back to the 1950s. Specially designed to meet the needs of sailors, it is a technical, elegant and sporty watch that is above all a useful and reliable nautical instrument.

An immediately recognizable bezel

The Yacht-Master is easily recognizable for its bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated bezel made entirely from precious metal (Everose gold or platinum) or fitted with a black Cerachrom insert in high-technology ceramic. The raised polished graduations and numerals stand out clearly against a matt background. This characteristic and functional bezel – which enables the wearer to read time intervals, for example, the sailing time between two buoys – plays a full part in creating the unique visual identity of the watch.

Exclusive materials

Robust, accurate and perfectly waterproof, the Yacht-Master is one of the only Rolex Professional watches offered in several diameters (37, 40 and 42 mm).

The Yacht-Master 37 and Yacht-Master 40 are available in a Rolesium version (combining Oystersteel and platinum, exclusive to the Yacht-Master range) and in an Everose Rolesor version (combining Oystersteel and Everose gold) with a bezel in precious metal and fitted with an Oyster bracelet. Both models are also offered in 18 ct Everose gold featuring a Cerachrom bezel insert in black ceramic and an Oysterflex bracelet.

The Yacht-Master 42 is available in 18 ct yellow or white gold with an Oysterflex bracelet and in RLX titanium – a particularly lightweight alloy with excellent corrosion-resistance properties and high mechanical strength – with an Oyster bracelet. This version, unveiled in 2023, stands out for its technical satin finish, a finish with a visible grain.

Perpetual calibres 2236 and 3235

Yacht-Master models are equipped with calibre 2236 (Yacht-Master 37) or calibre 3235 (Yacht-Master 40 and Yacht-Master 42), self-winding mechanical movements entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. They offer outstanding performance, particularly in terms of precision, power reserve, convenience and reliability. Both movements’ power reserve extends to approximately 70 hours.

Superlative Chronometer certification

Like all Rolex timepieces, the Yacht-Master is covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification. This designation testifies that every watch leaving the brand’s workshops has successfully undergone a series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories, according to its own criteria. The Superlative Chronometer status is symbolized by a green seal and is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.

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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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LONG ISLAND EVOLUTION MASTER JUMPER

Pursuing its quest for original creations, Franck Muller offers an emblematic timepiece: the Long Island Evolution Master Jumper. This exceptional timepiece is distinguished by an in-house movement featuring a triple jumping complication that reinvents the way of displaying time. Hours, minutes, and the date are indicated through a complex mechanism of jumping discs, offering instant readability and a futuristic aesthetic.

New Models 2024

All the mechanical watchmaking complications invented by Franck Muller are designed and developed at the heart of our own workshops. From the simple sketch of a world premiere mechanism to the execution of the plans, every stage of manufacturing a timepiece is followed to its successful completion.

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News & Events

News & events.

Franck Muller and Sporting Clube de Portugal have join forces for the second time to celebrate the club’s achievment’s with the presentation of the Vanguard™ Sporting CP National Champion 2023-20224. This new limited edition celebrates Sproting CP’s victorious national championship season and stregthens an 18-year partnership between Franck Muller and the Lisbon-based foortball club.

Franck Muller proudly introduces the Cintrée Curvex™ Edelweiss, a timepiece that masterfully blends tradition, elegance, and expert craftsmanship. Meticulously crafted within the Franck Muller manufacture in Switzerland, this watch pays homage to the rich heritage of Swiss watchmaking while showcasing the brand’s unwavering commitment to precision and artistry. Renowned for its distinctive curved case and refined contours, the Cintrée Curvex™ reveals its elegance and prestige in this collection.

Franck Muller has unveiled its new flagship boutique in Hong Kong, located in the heart of Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong’s renowned shopping district. This 1,725 square-foot boutique offers an immersive shopping experience, starting with a captivating curved screen that greets visitors upon entry.

United for the first time and by their shared passion for art and innovation, Franck Muller and S.T. Dupont is proud to unveil the Master Lighter, which combines the sophistication of Haute Horlogerie with masterful craftsmanship. This exceptional lighter, incorporating a skeleton watch with a power reserve, is the result of more than two years of development and marks a first in the history of both houses.

A tribute to rock music with the AC/DC 50th Anniversary limited edition, a perfect fusion of Swiss precision craftsmanship and Rock spirit. These limited editions of 50 pieces each are available in polished stainless steel and brushed titanium with black PVD treatment. Each timepiece combines robust materials with intricate detailing, embodying the spirit of rock and the precision of Swiss watchmaking. The design and materials honor AC/DC’s iconic legacy, making it a unique and coveted collector's item for dedicated fans and watch connoisseurs alike.

Equipped with an exceptional skeleton movement, this timepiece elegantly reveals openworked black bridges and red aluminum indicators, allowing us to observe one of the most beautiful mechanisms in the entire history of watchmaking. This three-axis tourbillon corrects the force of gravity in all positions, unlike a conventional tourbillon, which compensates only when the wristwatch is in a vertical position.

Vanguard Skeleton Swiss Limited Edition

The Vanguard™ Skeleton Swiss Limited Edition, enriches the collection with a new striking red skeleton body. Paying homage to Switzerland, the colors that adorn this collection recall the pure white and intense red of the Swiss flag. Made of titanium, the case is coated with white enamel while the titanium movement is anodized in red. This limited edition of only 50 timepieces provides a mesmerizing view on the movement that is a mechanical treasure entirely crafted in-house.

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Franck Muller timepieces are only distributed through our exclusive boutiques and authorized retailers. This guarantees the authenticity of your watch and ensure customers to have the best experience within the store.

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Featured Timepieces

Passion, precision and innovation are the three essential qualities that highlight the creative genius of Franck Muller. For over twenty years, the history of our watches has been marked by innumerable masterpieces and collections giving a contemporary style and spirit within the legendary universe of the Art of Watchmaking.

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Aeternitas Mega

The world's most complex wristwatch ever made in the history of watchmaking. Never has a brand better deserved the name of Master of Complications.

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The Most Complicated Watch Ever Made

This unique watchmaking concept, enables us to concentrate on the same property all the various stages of the making of a watch: conception, manufacturing, engraving, assembling, after sales department, etc.

Our Craftsmanship

Our craftsmanship - dedication to haute horlogerie.

Franck Muller is proud to present its craftsmanship campaign that showcases the crafts required to create a timepiece. Thanks to its incredible in-house capabilities, the brand can push barriers of watchmaking even further with innovative complications and great technique whilst fully respecting Swiss watchmaking tradition.

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Regatta Yachttimers

An overview of sailing regatta watches.

The Seiko company was founded in 1881, when Kintarō Hattori opened a watch and jewelry shop in Tokyo. Eleven years later, in 1892, he founded the company Seikosha Co, where initially wall clocks were produced. Soon they were followed by pocket watches and watches with an alarm function. In 1913 Seiko (which means ‘precision’ in Japanese) manufactured its first wristwatch, and today the brand is well known for its inventions over the years.

Already in 1958 Seiko started with the developement of quartz movements, which let to the first commercial quartz wristwatch of the world in 1969, the Seiko Quartz Astron. The brand’s tradition in sports timing started at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, where they served as Official Timekeeper. Ever since Seiko has been involved in many sports events, eg athletics, football and sailing.

Early 1980’s Seiko developed the caliber 7A28, the world’s first analog quartz chronograph. This fully adjustable quartz movement has no plastic parts in the gear train and can be sericed and adjusted like a mechanical watch. In the years to follow the caliber 7A28 was used in a great number of different models. The 7A28-7020, for example, was worn by Roger Moore in the 1985 James Bond movie  ‘A View To A Kill’.

Seiko Yacht Timer Quartz 7A28-7090, ref. SAY080.

The 7A28-7090 regatta variant debuted in 1982 as the first real Seiko Yacht Timer, and appeared in catalogs as of 1983. It immediately stood out for its design. With the two big pushers at 10 and 2 o’clock it looked similar to a bullhead chronograph. The 9 o’clock minutes sub register features a 30-minutes counter, devided in 6 x 5 minutes in alternately light and royal blue, and a distinct yellow hand. On the outer ring of the dial there’s the yachting countdown scale for the seconds, running backwards from 60 to zero. After 1985 the Seiko Yacht Timer Quartz 7A28-7090 disappeared from the catalogs and the production ceased.

x – x – x – x – x – x – x – x – x – x

Second half of the 1980’s Seiko developed a new four jewel quartz chronograph, the caliber 8M. Besides setting the time, it also uses the crown as a selection tool by which you can choose the mode of the watch, as shown in one of the registers. It has a countdown (timer) function, what makes it highly suitable for a yachting watch. In timer-mode the movement runs actualy counterclockwise! The countdown timer can be set by one-minute intervals between 1and 30 minutes, or you can choose between one of the preset timers for 5, 10 or 15 minutes.

From early 1990 Seiko produced two series of yacht timer watches, the 8M35 and the 8M37 models . Compared to the 8M35 models, the 8M37 models have the movement mounted ‘up-side-down’. That automatically means the crown and pushers are placed on opposite sides.

Cal. 8M35-6000 with leather strap, two-tone case and bracelet (ref. SEQ008J) and full gold (ref. SEQ010J). Note the three different collorscemes of the inner compass.

In time-mode, when the watch shows the actual time, the hour hand seems a bit odd. More like a seconds hand actually. But when you switch to timer mode, you understand why. This hand then becomes the second hand for an accurate countdown. And as I said before, the movement runs counterclockwise in timer mode. In a short period of years, from 1990 upto 1993, several yachttimer models were released by Seiko.

Cal. 8M35-6010, the more rare silver version, cal. 8M35-8000/8009 (ref. SEQ001P) and 8M35-800A (ref. SEQ003P) with a plastic blue or black turnable bezel.

Both cal. 8M37-6000, either with a silver case and dial (ref. SBBH005) or with a black case and dial (ref. SBBH007). Originally with a black rubber strap.

Both cal. 8M37-7000, ref. SBBH009. Note the different selection tools.

Finally the cal. 6M37-8000, ref. SBBH013, and the 6M37-8019, ref. SGX006. The last one was released for the 1992 USA Olympic games.

You can download the Operating Instructions for the caliber 8M35 here , and a 8M37 Parts Catalogue  here .

Page from a Japanese magazine showing some of the cal. 8M37 models.

Seiko add for the U.S.A. Olympic Yacht Timer Sports 150 8M37-8019, ref. SGX006, 1992.

Variations:

Radiant Yacht Timer, in silver case ref. TUH996PM, or two-tone case ref. YUH999PM. Obviously both with a Seiko 8M37 movement.

Yema America’s Cup, with a Seiko 8M35 movement, white or black dial. More info in the Yema section.

In 1993 Seiko changed the design of their Yacht Timers radically. Again the brand developed a new quartz regatta movement, the caliber 6M37, this time inspired by the old mechanical movements that used the 5-dot countdown system (first used by Aquastar in the 1960’s ).

The first model that was released, is the cal. 6M37-6000.

1995 Seiko introduced the Yacht Timer Sports 200   models, as part of The Great Blue series. Inspired by the older mechanical movements, Seiko developed their quartz movement with the 5-dot countdown system, caliber 6M37-6010.

Seiko Yacht Timer Sports 200 with steel case and blue dial, ref. SKB003P, and two-tone case and silver dial, ref. SKB004P.

Model: Seiko Yacht Timer Sports 200.

• Reference: SKB003P steel case and rotating bezel, blue dial
•                   and blue leather strap.
•                   SKB004P steel case with golden rotating bezel,
•                   silver dial and blue leather strap.
• Caliber: Seiko 6M37 quartz yachttimer movement.
• Case size: Ø 42 mm / H 12 mm.
• Year: mid 1990’s.

In the operating manual you can read how the countdown system works, click  here to download the English version.

  x – x – x – x – x – x – x – x – x – x

At Baselworld 2007, Seiko launched a new marine collection, the Velatura. The collection included two new calibers, one of them the Yachting Timer caliber 7T84. Obviously Seiko stepped away from the 5-dot countdown system again.

Seiko Velatura Yachting Timer, SPC005P1 and SPC007P1.

Seiko Velatura Yachting Timer, SPC041P1 and SPC049P1.

Model: Seiko Velatura Yachting Timer.

• Reference: SPC005P1 silver dial with steel bracelet.
•                   SPC007P1 black dial with black rubber strap.
•                   SPC041P1 black dial with Brown leather strap.
•                   SPC049P1 titanium case with leather/nylon strap.
• Caliber: Seiko analogue quartz 7T84 movement.
• Case size: Ø 44 mm / H 12 mm.
• Year: since 2008 upto 2012(?).

You can download the instruction manual of caliber 7T84 here , and learn how the regatta countdown system works.

With the launch of the Velatura series in 2007, Seiko rose to the challenge to build watches that perform on the open ocean, with a collection characterized by robustness, high functionality and durability. Also in 2007, Seiko was selected as the Watch Partner of the International 49er Class Association.

To mark the fourth year of their partnership, Seiko launced a new model in the Velatura collection, a standard chronograph housing with the caliber 7T62 Alarm movement. Not with a special countdown function, but with a coloured 5-10-15 minutes subdial.

The watch is available with either a stainless steel case with black hard coating and a polyurethane strap (ref. SNAE17) or a stainless steel case with blue hard coating and a stainless steel bracelet with three-fold slasp (ref. SNAE19).

2014 update, new versions in the Velatura Yachting Timer series:

Seiko Velatura Yachting Timer: SPC143P1, SPC145P1, SPC147P1 and SPC149P1.

• References:
• SPC143P1 brushed and polished stainless steel case and bracelet – fixed blue bezel – blue dial.
• SPC145P1 brushed and polished stainless steel case and bracelet with rubber centre links – fixed black bezel – silver dial.
• SPC147P1 brushed and polished stainless steel case and bracelet with rubber centre links – fixed black bezel – black dial.
• SPC149P1 brushed and polished ion black stainless steel case with black silicone rubber strap – fixed black bezel – black textured dial.
• Caliber: Analogue quartz 7T84 movement.
• Case size: Ø 44 mm / H 11 mm.
• Year: 2014.
• many thanks to Robert Mahoney for the English version of the caliber 6M37 operating manual.
• many thanks to Yorkshire Watches ( http://www.yorkshirewatches.co.uk/ ) for using your pictures.
• http://www.seikousa.com/index.php  with Press Releases.
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seiko
• http://www.watch-wiki.net/index.php?title=Seiko

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Trust, honesty, and transparent pricing. Bob's Watches offers the largest and finest selection of used, pre-owned, and vintage luxury watches. It has become the ultimate destination for consumers looking to buy, sell, or trade certified pre-owned timepieces. Our collection includes popular pieced like the OMEGA Speedmaster, Rolex Datejust , Rolex GMT-Master II , Patek Philippe Nautilus, Rolex Submariner , Oris Diver Sixty Five, Rolex Daytona , OMEGA Seamaster , and other iconic luxury watches.  Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our BBB A+ standing and our mentions in top global news outlets.

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Trust, honesty, and transparent pricing. The Company offers the largest and finest selection of used, pre-owned, and vintage luxury watches from brands including Rolex, Omega watches , Tudor watches , Oris , Cartier watches , Panerai , Longines , Tissot , Breitling , Audemars Piguet , Patek Philippe , and more. It has become the ultimate destination for consumers looking to buy, sell, or trade certified pre-owned timepieces, attaining a BBB A+ rating, 5/5 stars in Ekomi, and has been quoted and featured in many of the world's leading news publications.

Unlike competitors, all watches are in stock ready for immediate overnight shipping. Visit our resources page to learn more about the Company and its rich history. All watches are restored using established authorized repair shops using genuine parts.

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Our online collection of pre-owned timepieces offer a wide selection for those with a broad range of budgets and lifestyles. Our catalog is vast but singular in quality and affordability.

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As the most trusted name in luxury watches, with the largest inventory on-hand and ready for immediate sale, Bob's Watches is the foremost destination to find the best in authentic, pre-owned luxury accessories. So whether on the hunt for a new pre-owned Ceramic No Date Submariner, a vintage Omega , a Rolex 16610 , a vintage Paul Newman Daytona, a vintage Omega Speedmaster, or any other vintage luxury watch brand, Bob's is your primary source to find the best-of-the-best in pre-owned luxury goods at unbeatable prices. We offer the full line of luxury watch models in stainless, solid gold, and two tone. The esteemed Rolex 116500 still sees considerable demand today from enthusiast and non-enthusiasts alike due to its powerful design and identifying features of its 3-register chronograph dial.

We have an ever-evolving selection of men and women's models, with some representing modern timepiece aesthetics, and others bearing more spirited vintage design ethos - a category that has increased quite significantly in terms of value and popularity over the last several years.

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In the past 12 years, we have purchased more used, pre-owned and vintage watches than anyone in the industry. And we understand that selling your timepiece can be a daunting experience so to that end we offer same-day immediate payment by check or wire, and your watch is insured from the second it leaves your possession.

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7 rules for navigating a yacht without electronics

• September 24, 2024

Golden Globe Race and Ocean Globe Race competitor Ian Herbert-Jones gives his 7 rules for navigating a yacht without electronics

What happens when the screens go dark? Although this seems pretty unlikely in today’s world of über-connectivity, with Iridium and Starlink on board many boats and every device seemingly having an inbuilt GPS, what if a lightning strike or corrupted software update suddenly puts all your navigation systems out of action, or the boat’s charging systems and batteries are incapacitated?

It might be a rare occurrence – but it’s not impossible. You might need to sail in ‘dark’ mode for a time while you reboot or rewire your nav suite. Or you might decide that other repairs have to take priority, and that complex electronics are best fixed ashore.

After recently completing two circumnavigations – one solo – using only the navigational equipment that was available in the 1970s (while competing in the Golden Globe Race and Ocean Globe Race ), I’ve now become familiar and quite comfortable sailing without modern electronics, so the following are some essential points on what to do in the event of a total systems failure:

Make regular position entries into your log

1 Keep a log

Good log keeping is a fundamental part of any back-up plan in the event of a total loss of navigation systems. In the age of the chartplotter, it’s easy to get out of the habit, but it’s just good seamanship.

I’d suggest that a log update every three hours is the minimum for offshore sailing and every hour for coastal sailing in unfamiliar waters. That includes plotting your GPS position on a paper chart or at least entering in the boat’s log book.

Your log book can be as comprehensive as you like, but should always include the GPS lat/long coordinates, course steered, average speed and/or distance logged through the water.

Notes on barometric pressure, sea state, cloud cover, sea temperature etc are also all useful to help you build a picture of what’s happening around you.

This way, if the lights do go out, your recorded position is no more than three hours old: if you’re cruising at 6 knots that means it’s only 18 miles out. In fact, if your log includes the boat’s course and speed for the previous three hours a quick dead reckoning will give you a starting position that’s probably accurate to within a few miles.

The humble paper chart and dividers. Photo: Zoonar GmbH/Alamy

2 Paper charts

Like good log keeping, paper charts are a fundamental part of any back-up plan, be that inshore or offshore. As a minimum, have the ocean planning charts for the area you’ll be sailing through and then larger scale charts for any coasts where you plan to make a landfall, and ideally for any areas you’ll sail past that may become ports of refuge.

3 Pilot books

A great resource to have on board, pilot books are not only filled with useful information about the places you are sailing to (or in my case, sailing past!), but if your digital charts go blank they provide invaluable harbour diagrams, tidal information, and mini chartlets that may be just enough to get you into a port or anchorage safely.

Article continues below…

Top 15 Best Marine Binoculars for navigation and pilotage – tried and tested

I can sit gazing through binoculars for hours. From looking at the local baby seals when on anchor or trying…

Navigation apps: all about user-generated guides

Pilot books used to be how we explored new destinations. Cruisers and charter sailors alike will have spent many hours…

During the Golden Globe Race I used the Imray pilot book to identify and navigate to an anchorage on the Beagle Channel, when the self-steering system on Puffin was damaged in a storm on my approach to Cape Horn.

4 Hand-bearing compass

This most humble piece of kit, a hand-bearing compass is something every boat will probably have tucked into a locker somewhere.

It’s a critical bit of equipment for coastal navigation, a back up for the ship’s compass. Use it for collision avoidance (remember your AIS may be down too) and if you start taking star sights you’ll use it to identify the correct navigational star in the sky. Hang it back up in pride of place at the nav table!

Hand-bearing compass in action. Photo: Paul Gibbins Photography

5 Dead Reckoning (DR)

The art of estimating your position at sea, based on course steered and speed or distance travelled, DR is your basic building block of fixing your position and ultimately navigating to a port of refuge. It’s also the first step in celestial navigation.

All you need for this is good log keeping, a compass, a speed log and a ship’s clock, ideally backed up with an accurate digital watch.

The first thing is to mark your last known position on a paper chart or a plotting sheet. A basic DR takes your compass course steered, converted to True (don’t forget variation, in UK we tend to ignore variation, but if you’re off the north coast of New Zealand and heading for Tahiti then it’s going to be 20°-plus that needs to be taken into account) your average speed and the time elapsed since the last fix. Draw this out on the chart and you have a DR fix.

If you have tide or ocean current information from your paper charts, almanacs or pilot books, then combine this with an allowance for leeway and you’re getting close to a more accurate estimated position or EP.

Photo: Pasi Nuutinen/PPL/OGR

6 Celestial navigation

I’m biased, but this is the ultimate mechanical back-up to get you on track. The first thing to be said is you’re not about to become a sextant expert overnight: a good star sight with three or more stars would give you an immediate fix, but that’s not an easy task. Both identifying the stars and taking an accurate sight at twilight are going to be difficult without practice.

However, everyone can identify the sun so start with a series of sun sights during the day – what is known as a Sun, Run, Sun, which, combined with your DR, will start to give a pretty accurate idea of your position.

Having a sextant and little knowledge of how to use it won’t give you an immediate fix, you’ll build up your first fix over the course of a day, with a morning sight, a noon sight for latitude and afternoon sight being the minimum needed. Then over the subsequent days this can be refined with more sights along with careful tracking of your DR in between.

Essentials for old school navigation. Photo: David Pugh

7 Communications

If you’re lucky enough that your VHF is still working, then speak to any vessels that you spot, or that you hear over the VHF. If you can get a merchant vessel to respond they’ll happily give you your GPS position, some indication of weather conditions ahead, and will normally be willing to relay your position and condition to a shore station by email.

HF radio is another great tool to have on board as part of your back-up plan. What most people now consider a piece of retro equipment can, with a little prior preparation before departure, provide you with a vital communications link when other systems fail.

Before you leave make sure you have lists of times and frequencies for marine weather WHO broadcasts in your sailing regions. These can be found in the weighty Admiralty publications, but equally can be found online and printed off before departure.

Radio nearby shipping to confirm your position. Photo: James Mitchell/WCC

If you’re sailing in a rally or in company then setting up a daily ‘buddy call’ over HF not only allows you to chat without using your data plan, but also gives you a way to share weather conditions and communicate any developing issues that you might have with the other sailors who are likely to be your nearest point of support in the case of an issue at sea.

If your sat comms go down they can alert other vessels or shore parties that you have an issue, and on your plans and ETA etc.

Look for HF radio passage monitoring services, such as the amazing Passage Guardian Radio, a free service provided by the dedicated Peter Mott from New Zealand. If you file a float plan before you leave, Passage Guardian will track your voyage, monitor weather that might impact you and most importantly give you a schedule for a daily HF radio call. On these calls you can log your intentions, receive weather updates and – in the case of an issue like the loss of nav systems – share your situation with family and team ashore.

Remember to be your own backup

Although the idea of losing your GPS, chartplotter and shiny new sat comms system during a major ocean crossing might fill you with anxiety – and have you buying GPS-enabled back-ups to back-ups – with a little confidence in the skills you already have, and a few that can be easily learned, you can relax more in the knowledge that you are your own back-up plan. When you make landfall using traditional navigation you may just find it to have been one of the most satisfying sailing achievements of your life.

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Arséma Thomas’s Watch

Wearing her perfectly imperfect watch helps the “She Taught Love” star feel close to her late father.

Credit... Photographs by Esston Benjamin

Supported by

By Amelia Diamond

Amelia Diamond reported for Piece of Me, a column about personal talismans and heirloom accessories.

• Sept. 24, 2024 Updated 9:39 a.m. ET

Arséma Thomas joked that the reason she hadn’t fixed her late father’s watch is because she feared what could be inside of it. (She knew from watching James Bond movies with her dad that the secret service agent’s timepieces could be explosive.)

“We always used to think that he was in the C.I.A.,” said Ms. Thomas, who stars in Hulu’s “She Taught Love” and co-stars on “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story,” of her father. He in fact worked at the United Nations, spoke seven languages and was also a professor.

Ms. Thomas’s father was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the neurodegenerative disease known as A.L.S., when he passed down his favorite watch to her as she prepared to graduate high school.

Four years later, Ms. Thomas wore that watch while graduating from Carnegie Mellon University.

Ms. Thomas talked about the watch and the confidence she feels every time she wears it. This interview has been condensed and edited.

Talk to me about this piece of jewelry that means so much to you.

So the piece of jewelry is a watch that my dad gave me. It’s silver with a leather band. It’s a piece of art. It has the three little other small watches at the bottom that tell seconds, milliseconds. And I think, because it’s broken, you can hear the minute and hand watch dangle as you swing your hand. So it feels almost musical as well. Especially moments when I’m nervous, I can center in on that.

When did he give the watch to you? What was the occasion?

He gave it to me right after I graduated high school. And he usually never trusts me with expensive pieces, because I am the most careless individual. But it’s his favorite watch. And it’s so strange, because I think the reason I love it so much is the fact that he gave it to me, and then we did this cross-country road trip while he drove me from my high school in Pennsylvania. We drove from the eastern side of Pennsylvania all the way to the western side. I felt like he had trusted me in that moment to be like, “I’ve done everything, and you can now go off.” And it was when he started to get sick with A.L.S.

What does it feel like when you wear this watch?

It feels like armor, which then allows me to be comfortable and confident. Whenever I wear it, I think about the fact that that was where his wrist would have touched. I think about the wrist being such a vulnerable place; it’s where you take your pulse. And it’s heavy too, so you can’t forget that you’re wearing it. Every time I wear it, even when it doesn’t even match the outfits, it just feels like this, I don’t know — a big middle finger to the patriarchy in a weird way.

What was it about your dad that gives you that specific feeling?

My dad, to me, was a feminist in all ways. A lot of the work that he did, specifically for the U.N., was engaging with women and children on the African continent and how to leverage them to bring all of Africa out of poverty.

His whole entire mind-set was the fact that specifically women were completely untapped potential in Africa. There is a very patriarchal influence because of post-colonialism, imperialism. A lot of his life work was about that and gender equality. We would always watch “James Bond” together. But he would always tell me when we watched it, “You are not the Bond girls. You are James. That is how you should see yourself.”

My mother was the breadwinner for a majority of my life. He was so OK sitting in the back and letting her shine. That was the kind of household that I grew up in, where they were considered partners, and that’s the way that they wanted to raise me and my sister as well. I also have half brothers, and he could have given the watch to my brothers. But the idea of gender not even being part of how he treats his children, and how he wants his children to walk into the world, I think was a big part of it. This is a Nigerian man who came from borderline destitution in the city of Lagos.

What happened when you wore it to your college graduation?

My dad wasn’t there, but he was watching it from his hospital room. I remember being scared [because] it has a loose clasp. So I can’t fling my arms with it, or else it slides right off. In Ethiopian culture, when you celebrate somebody, you ululate. And I had begged my mom, “Please, please don’t do it. No one will understand it.” She’d come with my aunts and my cousins. They start to do that. I remember spinning, and the watch flying across the stage, and trying to scurry across and get the watch.

I remember my dad messaging me, being like, “At least I know you wore the watch.”

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