Brand: Heuer

Model: Skipper ref. 15640 Automatic Chronograph (Blue Dial); Swiss Made; serial #296,XXX circa early 1970s

Case: Solid stainless steel case with screw-down back is approximately 42mm excluding the original "fluted" pushers and "HEUER" signed crown

Bracelet: Rare vintage period-correct 20mm solid stainless steel linked bracelet with unsigned fold-over clasp and removable links

Movement: Heuer cal. 15 self-winding automatic chronograph movement (17 jewels) with date display at 6 o'clock; 21,600 BPH; Swiss Made

Features: Stunning original matte blue dial with luminous hour markers and three-color yachting regatta countdown register (15 minutes); subsidiary running seconds at 10 o'clock; original neon orange handset; date display at 6 o'clock; original metallic blue "MH" bezel (minutes/hours) displays elapsed time (i.e. during dives) and can track a second time zone; oversized solid stainless steel case (same as Autavia)

Condition: Very nice original condition overall with minor honest wear consistent with age and use; sharp solid stainless steel case appears to be unpolished with the original edges and bevels in tact; crisp caseback with the original brushing still visible and a few toolmarks around the perimeter; perfect original matte blue dial with crisp printing, vibrant colors, and all luminous material in tact/matching; original neon orange handset with all luminous material in tact and matching; original sub-register hands; original metallic blue "MH" bezel exhibits minor wear around the edges; original mineral glass crystal exhibits some surface scratches, but we are including a new replacement Heuer 11630 mineral glass crystal should the buyer decide to get it replaced

Other: Vintage Heuer is as hot as it has ever been and we all know how difficult it is to find honest, original examples of rare executions such as this 15640 Skipper. If you haven't been out yachting recently, we'll break it down for you: The red, white, and blue register segments each represent 5-minute intervals within a 15-minute regatta countdown. In the 15 minutes leading up to a race, yachts are jockeying for position behind a starting buoy - The tri-color coding makes the chronograph easy for skippers to read at a glance, letting them know when they are permitted to cross the starting line. Given the relative obscurity of the sport, tool watches designed specifically for this purpose are all the more rare and desirable. If you're looking for the perfect watch for the upcoming spring and summer months, this colorful Heuer Skipper is it (whether or not you'll be spending any time on a yacht).