Jewellery & Watch News
Building on its maritime history, the new TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper Chronograph in rose gold earmarks another page in the brand’s sporting heritage.
If you’re looking at the TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper Chronograph in rose gold and wondering how a watch as beautiful as this took so long to arrive, you’d be wrong. This is not the first TAG Heuer Skipper watch. Back in 1968, Jack Heuer designed a Skipper chronograph in celebration of the previous year’s New York Yacht Club’s ‘Intrepid’ victory over New Zealand’s ‘Dame Pattie’ during the America’s Cup. Heuer had already supplied stopwatches and timing devices to support the racing event, yet the watch that followed soon became one of the manufacturer’s most popular designs. But it wasn’t just any chronograph. It offered something pretty niche – a countdown timer chronograph function with a 15-minute counter at 3 o’clock. The sub-dial replaced the usual 30-minute counter and was balanced out by a small second sub-dial at 9 o’clock, creating a striking bi-compax layout. This very special timing complication was known as the regatta timer and served a very important purpose on the wrists of boat racers and yachters.
The TAG Heuer Regatta Timer
The sole purpose of the regatta timer function on the original TAG Heuer Skipper watch was to assist with the start of the race, which, unlike motorsports or any other kind of race, begins differently. It is still a complication used today, hence the significance of the brand’s latest Carrera Skipper Chronograph of 2024, kitted out in a beautiful, indulgent 18ct rose gold outfit. Instead of waiting at a start line, boats in a yachting race need to move back and forth behind the start line until the gun fires. That build-up to the start time can be anywhere between five and fifteen minutes, depending on the rules, so to assist with the process, TAG Heuer’s Skipper chronograph became an innovative tool for those taking part in the race. The key is to cross the start line as close as possible to the firing of the gun. A competitor does not want to disqualify themselves by passing over the line too soon, yet should be careful not to cost themselves the race by crossing over too late. The TAG Heuer Skipper watch could help a yachter to position his boat perfectly before the race commenced.
The New TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper Chronograph in Rose Gold
There are some subtle changes added to this year’s 2024 Carrera Skipper watch from TAG Heuer. To begin with, the main difference is the model’s 18ct rose gold case, which replaces the polished stainless steel case of last year. The same blue tones of the dial, however, are kept the same and enhanced by contrasting rings at 3 and 9 o’clock. The first is the fifteen-minute regatta countdown timer, which features three segments represented in shades that reflect the colours used in the historic TAG Heuer Skipper reference 7754. The 12-hour totaliser at 9 o’clock is dressed in an “Intrepid Teal” hue, while the Lagoon Green, Regatta orange and Intrepid Teal colours of the 15-minute counter represent the Skipper of 1968, and are inspired by the rigging and deck of the boat.
The regatta countdown sub-dial is balanced by a 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock. This feature became one of the key changes to the design of the TAG Heuer Skipper when it returned last year. The 12-hour totaliser is represented once again in the “Intrepid Teal colour” of the yacht it takes inspiration from. A third counter is located at 6 o’clock, yet this small seconds function is so discreet that it cleverly enables the dial to still be read predominantly as a bicompax tool. The dial also features white luminous triangular markers denoting the five-minute increments around the flange, as well as luminous central hands, a date window at 6 o’clock and a vibrant regatta orange chronograph hand. What’s more, TAG Heuer experts fit this new Carrera skipper Chronograph with a “glassbox” front, featuring a domed sapphire crystal glass front and a bezel-free construction that enables a clear view into the dial from all angles.
The new TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper Chronograph watch is powered by the TH20-06 movement – a calibre that has been modified in-house at TAG Heuer to provide the special regatta timing function. The watch is completed on a matching deep blue fabric strap, secured with a rose gold pin buckle to add a touch of elegance.
Why You Should Invest in the TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper Chronograph Rose Gold
The new 2024 TAG Heuer release of the Carrera Skipper represents a luxury timepiece packed full of horological history. With older versions of this timepiece to collect, you can’t blame any TAG Heuer enthusiast for wanting to complete this collection of the loved cult classic. Having taken a quick glance at how well historic TAG Heuer Skipper watches have sold at auction in previous years, it doesn’t take rocket science to work out why this latest 18ct rose gold edition might be worth the investment.
This new TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper Chronograph exemplifies the Swiss brand’s commitment to luxury and quality materials. In other words, it represents the next level up from last year’s release and a new indulgent take on the already popular steel version. The watch is rich in functionalities that only add further to its worth. Meticulously designed for clear readability, the dial of the Carrera Skipper is certainly primed for professional sailors out at sea, or those taking part in luxury yacht racing. Whether boat racing is or is not your cup of tea, however, there are still so many elements to enjoy about this watch. Aside from its eye-catching mix of unique hues, this colourful racing watch also guarantees accuracy and longevity. This new contender on the nautical watch market is rich in sporting heritage and promises precise timekeeping qualities that will be appreciated by any chronograph collector, let alone those of the regatta type.
If you’d like to experience the new TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper Chronograph Rose Gold watch for yourself, all you need to do is call and speak to a member of our C W Sellors sales team today on 01335 216004 or email us a question at sales@cwsellors.com and we’ll get straight back to you. Alternatively, you can check out all the latest TAG Heuer Watches and Wonders 2024 releases here on our website.
