RETURN TO THE SKIPPERERA

TAG Heuer, a marque that became synonymous in modern history with motor-races, returns to the seas with the revival of the Carrera Skipper

- JONATHAN HO

ONE WOULD SURMISE, given the near-ubiquitous recognition of Steve McQueen on a Le Mans poster dressed in his famous white racing jumpsuit with the TAG Heuer Monaco on his wrist, that it would be the natural darling of watch collectors. Instead, a (once) little-known Heuer Skipper, an icon of the swinging '60s, is actually a fan-favourite chronograph for collectors today.

Affectionately named the Skipperera, this colourful chronograph from 1968 is a darling at auctions. Why? The model was commissioned in 1967 by Jack Heuer to celebrate the victory of Intrepid in the America's Cup. When two-time America's Cup-winning yachtsman Emil Mosbacher won the regatta with Heuer, the watch was made as a tribute, and therefore came with a unique dial with Intrepid's colour references.

Probably the most mythical Skipper watch on earth, the original ref. 7754 is believed to be made in a 20-piece production run. And to this day, that model remains the only Heuer Skipper in the brand's history to be fitted with the case of a vintage Carrera, earning it its nickname, Skipperera. Later versions of the Skipper used the Autavia case until its final production in 1983 and then the once-familiar watch of choice for professional and amateur sailors (and even occasional divers, thanks to its 100-metre water resistance), disappearing for the last 40 years and only returning today.

TAG HEUER'S YACHT RACING HERITAGE