Tag Heuer Unveil Carrera Chronograph Seafarer Limited Edition

Regatta timers are making a comeback. Well, that might be an exaggeration. Regatta Timers are so niche that I’m not sure they’ve ever been mainstream enough to warrant a ‘comeback’ being possible. What I mean is that there have been a whole two regatta timers released within a month of each other. The Yema x seconde/seconde/ Yachtingraff and now this, the Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph Seafarer Limited Edition.

As a point of order, ‘Seafarer’ isn’t technically part of the new watch’s name, it’s the name of the vintage model from the mid-20^th century that it’s inspired by – as well as a collaboration with Hodinkee from last year that used that moniker. However, there are so many Carrera Chronographs that if we didn’t refer to it as the Seafarer, you’d have no idea which model we’re talking about.

Aesthetically, it features a dark blue opaline dial like the dark sea on a stormy day. The lacquer yellow chronograph hands in the centre and on the 12-hour and 30-minute subdials stand out in stark contrast, making the piece vibrant and easy to read. As a regatta timer, the 30-minute subdial is split into six wedges of alternating silver and blue, separating the piece into 5 minute intervals. It’s the more common style of modern regatta timer that makes use of existing elements of a chronograph as opposed to the more complex historic regatta display with its five discs. In many regards the new Seafarer is a more pared back version of the Skipper from 2023, swapping the multiple shades of green, blue and orange for a simpler blue, silver and yellow with a cleaner design.

This is to make it easy to use it as a count down timer leading to the start of a boat race, which typically give a long lead time that flows into a flying start where you want to cross the start line at the perfect moment – not a second late or early. A water resistance rating of 100m for the 42mm steel case also ensures that the watch will be protected from excessive sea spray if you do take it out on the water. Though I suspect most people will keep it firmly on land and put it alongside their Breton shirts and boat shoes that will also never see the water despite their origins.

Beneath the Carrera Chronograph Seafarer Limited Edition’s dial is the calibre TH20-00 with 80-hour power reserve. It’s equipped with hours, minutes, small seconds, date and the aforementioned chronograph functions. You can view it through the exhibition sapphire caseback, allowing you to admire its openworked rotor and Côte de Genève finishing. Around the edge of the caseback is also its limited edition number out of 500.

It’s priced at £6,350, which is a price point that puts them well inside the luxury watch boundaries, an aspirational level for sports watch enthusiasts who haven’t caught the Speedy or Daytona bug yet. Lastly, it’s presented on a perforated leather strap in classic racing style.

More details at Tag Heuer.