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Lot Essay
The present chronograph is one of the exceedingly rare Heuer Carrera Skipper ref. 7754 to appear in public to date. Consigned by a private collector and recently serviced in the workshops of TAG Heuer, it is furthermore preserved in very attractive overall condition.
The story of the model begins in 1967 with the American skipper Emil Mosbacher winning the 20th America’s Cup on “The Intrepid” with Heuer chronographs on board. To celebrate this victory, Jack Heuer commissioned the Heuer Carrera Skipper ref. 7754, today among Heuer’s rarest and most coveted vintage watches. Launched in 1968 it is believed that only 20 examples have ever been made.
Nicknamed “Skipperera” as it is the only Skipper model with the original 35 mm. Carrera case ref. 7753 and the iconic faceted lugs, the most striking design elements of ref. 7754 are the colours, taken from the vivid colours of The Intrepid: a metallic blue dial, mint green subsidiary seconds and the distinctive tri-colour mint green, green and orange 15 minutes count-down register, ensuring optimal legibility and precision necessary for a regatta timer. It mirrors the start of a regatta, when four shots are fired at fifteen minutes intervals. The first three shots are warnings, representing respectively 15, 10 and 5 minutes to the start, the final one indicates the beginning of the race. When the chronograph is activated at the first shot, this subsidiary dial indicates to the crew the exact time left before the beginning of the race. The hand advances with 30 seconds increments, for a more accurate reading.
An important factor for the success of a regatta is the timing and position in relation to competitors when crossing the starting line. To count down the start of a race a series of horns and colourful flags is used in five-minute intervals. The skipper needs a tactical plan and reliable timing instruments to reach the starting line at the precise moment when the horn sounds to start the race. Boats crossing the line too early will be penalised, those crossing it too late begin with a disadvantage.
Ref. 7754 served as inspiration for the limited edition of 125 examples of the 2017 Heuer Carrera Skipper, co-designed by HODINKEE and TAG Heuer to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Emil Mosbacher’s victory at America’s Cup.
The present original Heuer Carrera Skipper ref. 7754 is an exceedingly rare trophy for watch collectors and sailing aficionados alike.
The story of the model begins in 1967 with the American skipper Emil Mosbacher winning the 20th America’s Cup on “The Intrepid” with Heuer chronographs on board. To celebrate this victory, Jack Heuer commissioned the Heuer Carrera Skipper ref. 7754, today among Heuer’s rarest and most coveted vintage watches. Launched in 1968 it is believed that only 20 examples have ever been made.
Nicknamed “Skipperera” as it is the only Skipper model with the original 35 mm. Carrera case ref. 7753 and the iconic faceted lugs, the most striking design elements of ref. 7754 are the colours, taken from the vivid colours of The Intrepid: a metallic blue dial, mint green subsidiary seconds and the distinctive tri-colour mint green, green and orange 15 minutes count-down register, ensuring optimal legibility and precision necessary for a regatta timer. It mirrors the start of a regatta, when four shots are fired at fifteen minutes intervals. The first three shots are warnings, representing respectively 15, 10 and 5 minutes to the start, the final one indicates the beginning of the race. When the chronograph is activated at the first shot, this subsidiary dial indicates to the crew the exact time left before the beginning of the race. The hand advances with 30 seconds increments, for a more accurate reading.
An important factor for the success of a regatta is the timing and position in relation to competitors when crossing the starting line. To count down the start of a race a series of horns and colourful flags is used in five-minute intervals. The skipper needs a tactical plan and reliable timing instruments to reach the starting line at the precise moment when the horn sounds to start the race. Boats crossing the line too early will be penalised, those crossing it too late begin with a disadvantage.
Ref. 7754 served as inspiration for the limited edition of 125 examples of the 2017 Heuer Carrera Skipper, co-designed by HODINKEE and TAG Heuer to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Emil Mosbacher’s victory at America’s Cup.
The present original Heuer Carrera Skipper ref. 7754 is an exceedingly rare trophy for watch collectors and sailing aficionados alike.