Why This Watch Matters An early Aquastar Regate with a useful five-minute counter and a Heuer signature. The Full Story Founded in 1962 as a subsidiary of Jean Richard, an established Swiss maker at the time, Aquastar focused on watches intended for use in and on the water. The Regate hit the company's offerings in 1964 as a watch specifically designed for timing the start of a yacht race. This model's defining characteristics are five circular apertures on the dial that serve as a five minute timer. To activate the timer, engage the pusher at four o'clock, and the five apertures will turn red. Upon releasing the pusher, the sweep seconds hand will set in motion and the countdown will begin. After each minute has elapsed, the red apertures will turn from red to silver sequentially, and when the five minute countdown is up, each window will appear silver. This may seem odd at first glance, but it was immensely helpful in its original purpose. For a yacht race, the boats are already in the water and moving around, a signal sounds five minutes before the actual start of the race to give skippers time to precisely maneuver themselves to the starting line. While the original purpose of the Regate was to assist prior to a regatta, it's now perfect for keeping track of any five minute interval, which is really quite convenient in modern life. This colorful, visual representation is a highly legible way to time a five minute interval compared to a traditional chronograph counter. The dial on this watch is signed Aquastar and Heuer. The pair worked in tandem on the Regate – Aquastar produced the watch and Heuer distributed it. Eventually, Heuer would have its own branded regatta countdown watches that used circular apertures, but Heuer's examples typically timed 10 minute periods. These dual-branded examples, with both names on the dial, are quite rare today, which makes them catnip for any collector interested in esoteric tool watches. We paired this Aquastar and Heuer Regate with our Sedona Strap in grey. Accompanying the watch and strap is a rare vintage Aquastar "Starfish" buckle to complete the look, the cherry on top of this Regate. The Fine Print Maker: Aquastar for HeuerModel: RegateReference: 4000NYear: Circa 1960sCase No: 402225Material: Stainless steelDimensions: 37mm diameter; 12mm thicknessCrystal: PlexiglassLume: Yes, tritiumCaliber: Felsa, self-winding, caliber 4000NBracelet/Strap: HODINKEE The Sedona Watch Strap In Phantom Ranch with vintage Aquastar "Starfish" buckleLug Width: 19mmBox/Papers: No What We Love And What You Should Know Things We Love: - Five-minute Regatta timer- Dual-branded dial- Aquastar Starfish buckle Things To Know: - Light scratches on case This Regate is in overall great condition. The case is in very good condition with light scratches, and it is unpolished in our view. The caseback engravings and text are all clearly visible including the numbers. There's some scratching on the rear side of the lugs from strap removal and placement. The dial is in good condition and has developed some light patina. There are a few small scratches on the dial. The hour markers and hands have also developed patina. The seconds hand paint shows some patina. The lume on the hands have developed patina and are matching in color. The dial, crown, case, and movement are signed. This watch was photographed on a 175mm/6.9inch wrist.
