Wakmann Regate

Why We Love It There is perhaps no more versatile complication than the chronograph. From race cars to rocket ships, boats to battlefields, you are likely to find a chronograph being employed to measure a myriad of tasks and times. One of the most unusual applications for the chronograph that we've come across is the regatta timer. While this isn't the first time we've offered a regatta timer on our site --we rather like them and are constantly seeking them out-- we haven't come across too many of the super cool, jumbo sized Wakmann Regates from the 1970s. Rarer still, is finding a gold plated example in such excellent, unpolished condition. Its multi-colored dial is vibrant and dynamic with its bold contrasting chapter rings, vividly punctuated by bright orange chronograph hands.  We're always on the lookout for quirky sport chronographs from the 1960's and 1970's, and when we saw the condition of the gold plating on this piece, we just could't resist. Whether it ends up timing daily commutes to and from the office or on the deck of racing yacht as originally intended, the addition of this watch to your collection will undoubtedly be a harbinger of fair winds and following seas. Plus, its sexy as hell. Come at me, bro. The Story Aficionados of vintage Breitling will recognize the name Wakmann as the importer of Breitling in the United States prior to the 1980s. As Breitling's official import partner, Wakmann would receive unassembled watches direct from Switzerland and put them together for retail sale - often with specially commissioned Wakmann branding. This particular model, produced solely for the Wakmann brand, is simply named the Regate, and was designed specifically for use on the water as a timing instrument for regattas. A regatta timer, as you might surmise from the name, is used to time yacht races. Because sailboats are rarely completely still--even when at anchor--regatta timers feature a 15-minute countdown to allow for the interval when the competing sailors scramble for top positioning behind the starting buoy before a race. In this instance, the first 15 minutes of the counter is denoted by colorful 5 minute blocks printed on the outer bezel, while the rest of the watch features standard chronograph, date, and calendar functions.