ReviewThe Frederique Constant Yacht Timer Regatta Countdown: Always At The Helm

There’s little else in this world quite as freeing and liberating as sailing. You can leave your problems at the shoreline and then, it’s just you, the wind in your hair, and one of nature’s most brutal yet life-affirming elements—water. Add to this intoxicating combination a thrilling race to the finish line, and what you’ve got is a potent adrenaline-pumping activity like no other. And if there ever was a watch perfectly suited to cater to these conditions, it’s the regatta watch.

The Final Countdown

The regatta countdown timer is not a very well-known complication, however, it’s incredibly useful when you’re racing on the water. And it’s also visually stunning to boot. What it essentially does is to count down the time before the race. This is because regattas are unlike other races since the racers are fighting against three foes—other competitors, the wind and the water itself. In regattas, the starting line is imaginary—two buoys are placed on the water and the racers have to place their yachts between them without crossing this imaginary line. The wind and the surf will be constantly pushing against these yachts, trying to change their position. So, the racers are given anywhere between five and 15 minutes (depending on the race) to manoeuvre themselves to their advantage. It is only after this five- to 15-minute countdown is up that the racers are flagged off, usually with the sound of a gunshot. This makes this interval not just crucial but also incredibly exciting and nerve-wracking to watch.

When racing on the waters, timing is absolutely crucial. The regatta timer between 10 and two o’clock allows one to manoeuvre their yachts in front of the start line before the race begins. This iteration sports a rose gold-plated stainless steel case and a very nautical blue dial, with a matching blue leather strap

The first time Frederique Constant released a regatta watch was back in 1997, and they wouldn’t do the same again for over two decades. In 2019, the brand released the Yacht Timer Regatta collection presented here—taking their past and beautifully moulding it to the present. The watch face and design have not changed much and retain much of the predecessor’s appeal. However, the watches have been given a fine-tuning in terms of the inner workings. So let’s explore these beauties and how they fare on rough waters.

The apertures for the regatta timer, each representing one minute, go from silver to blue to orange as the watch counts down ten minutes. The timer is activated using the first pusher

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Powering this timer, along with the hours, minutes and seconds, is the FC-380 movement, which offers a power reserve of 48 hours

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Clear Seas Ahead

It’s only fair that we first talk about the element that gives these watches their name—the regatta timer. While many brands have their own interpretation of this lovely complication, Frederique Constant has not changed its vision from what they had presented in the predecessor. On the face of it, the complication looks the same—and is activated by the pusher on top of the crown. There are five circular apertures between 10 and two o’clock, and each of these represent one minute. When the timer is set off, each dot turns from white to blue (or blue to white, in the case of the blue member). When all five dots turn blue (or white for the blue variant), five minutes have passed. Then the dots undergo another colour change, this time turning orange—perhaps, representing urgency. Once all dots have turned orange and the seconds hand has struck noon, 10 minutes have passed and the yacht race is on! One can imagine how exhilarating it must be to see the apertures slowly change colour while you’re waiting at the start line, your nerves at the ready for what’s ahead.

While you’d think that a chronograph would work for these circumstances as well, regatta timers are far more legible. All you need is a glance to read the timer and ascertain how much time remains until the gunshot is sounded for the race to begin. Moreover, chronographs are meant to count-up, practically indefinitely, so the finite end of a regatta timer’s countdown is essentially what sets this complication apart. The seconds hand in orange is connected to the timer as well, and only functions when the timer is activated. The timer is reset using the second pusher, quite like a chronograph itself.

The Frederique Constant Yacht Timer Regatta Countdown, in terms of case and strap options, has something for everyone. Here we have the bicoloured member sitting pretty next to another iteration with a silver-coloured dial, gold-plated stainless steel case and a handsome brown leather strap

The Colourful Crew

The collection comprises four stunning watches. The cases come in at a generous 42mm, perfect for the legibility of the regatta timer complication. The lugs are tapered ever so slightly to add comfort when worn. The cases are crafted from polished stainless steel—including two rose gold-plated versions as well as a bicoloured variant. The timer is presented on dials that are coloured a sophisticated silver or a more nautical navy blue, all with guilloche decoration. The dials are minimalist, with only baton markers for the hours—in hues that complement the case tones. Overcast days are not uncommon when you’re a seafaring individual. To tackle that, the hands and indices have been filled with a luminescent material, so that you can keep your eye on your timepiece as well as the prize.

The black alligator leather strap looks vividly beautiful against the silver-coloured dial of this watch. The regatta timer complication is hard to miss

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Here we can see the activated regatta timer, where only four minutes remain for the race to begin. The timer is perfectly legible and easy to read

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Just like in a chronograph, the second pusher resets the timer. Unlike the 1997 regatta watch from the brand, the pushers here have been polished and sit flushed against the case

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One can see the Frederique Constant brand logo etched on the crown

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You have a lot to choose from in terms of straps as well. The watches are offered with alligator leather straps in a formal black, classic brown or gorgeous blue tone. There is also a member with a luxurious bicolour stainless steel bracelet, which would look at home in the boardroom as well as the high seas. These timepieces are definitely on the dressy side of the sports watch arena. However, each watch comes with an extra black rubber strap, capable of weathering the harsh conditions the sea is bound to throw at you.

While the original watches were powered by a robust quartz movement, Frederique Constant chose to go automatic this time around. Ticking inside the case is the FC-380 movement with 25 jewels, vibrating at 28,800vph, with a power reserve of a decent 48 hours, and the countdown function that is the crown jewel of this timepiece. You can observe this movement at work through the sapphire crystal caseback. These watches are water resistant to 100m.

Minimalist and sophisticated yet bold and intrepid, the Frederique Constant Yacht Timer Regatta Countdown collection is the perfect companion as you sail towards victory.