By now, we’re well aware of TAG Heuer’s prowess as the ultimate car lover’s watch brand. Its lineage in automobile history, especially F1 racing, is unparalleled. However, did you know that it was once the official timekeeper of the America’s Cup yacht race? The Intrepid from Rhode Island won the event in 1967 and the very next year, Heuer honored the seafarer with a special-edition version of its 35mm Carrera chronograph which was dubbed Skipper. Only a few hundred remain, of which the whereabouts of about 40 are known today. When they pop up on occasion at auction, they sell for about six figures. Well, now TAG Heuer has announced it’s coming out with a new non-limited version of the timepiece.
Featuring the same color layout, which is based on the Intrepid’s color scheme, and bicompax dial configuration, this take on the Skipper is unlike any we’ve seen since the late ‘60s. Although there have been other TAG watches that have paid homage to the Skipper, this new version is the most accurate, although there are some modern advancements that actually give it a more striking appearance than the original.
Based on the Carrera Glassbox, which was revealed earlier this year and features a highly domed sapphire crystal for a more vintage-inspired aesthetic, the 2023 Skipper is significantly larger than the one from ‘68 and adds a calendar window at the bottom. Sporting a 39mm stainless steel case, the chronograph also swaps out the Glassbox’s in-house TH20-00 movement for a brand-new TH20-06 caliber. The difference is in the rightmost chronograph register. Unlike the typical subdial, which counts up to 30 minutes, this regatta timer counts down from 15 minutes — the minimum time it must take a sailing yacht to cross the starting line.
This highly unique piece from TAG Heuer is one of this year’s standouts. It will be available soon from TAG Heuer’s website for $6,750.
