Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2023
IGI Partners with Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030 WatchesJul 25, 2023
After 40 Years, TAG Heuer Is Bringing Back This Sailing Watch
The sporty Carrera Skipper is a sailor’s best accessory.
The TAG Heuer Skipper was produced from 1968 through 1983. In 2017, the watchmaker partnered with Hodinkee to produce 125 models as an homage to the original. Now, TAG Heuer is relaunching the timepiece in earnest, releasing the Carrera Skipper this month.
La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland—After 40 years, TAG Heuer is reviving a classic with rich sailing history.
The Swiss watchmaker originally introduced the Skipper in 1968.
At the time, TAG Heuer produced Abercrombie and Fitch watches for its New York stores.
Thanks to Jack Heuer’s friendship with A&F President Walter Haynes and the latter's sporting relationships, TAG Heuer became the first official timing partner for the United States’ 12-meter “Intrepid” for the America’s Cup.
In 1967, the Intrepid set out to defend its trophy for the New York Yacht Club against the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron’s “Dame Pattie.”
TAG Heuer provided the Intrepid with a set of handheld yachting stopwatches and the crew with “Aquastar” wristwatches that featured a countdown timer with a red and white disc.
Related stories will be right here …
The Swiss watchmaker originally introduced the Skipper in 1968.
At the time, TAG Heuer produced Abercrombie and Fitch watches for its New York stores.
Thanks to Jack Heuer’s friendship with A&F President Walter Haynes and the latter's sporting relationships, TAG Heuer became the first official timing partner for the United States’ 12-meter “Intrepid” for the America’s Cup.
In 1967, the Intrepid set out to defend its trophy for the New York Yacht Club against the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron’s “Dame Pattie.”
TAG Heuer provided the Intrepid with a set of handheld yachting stopwatches and the crew with “Aquastar” wristwatches that featured a countdown timer with a red and white disc.
In honor of the decisive win, the watchmaker unveiled the Skipper chronograph in 1968, which featured a 30-minute subdial for counting down the 15-minute regatta “pre-start” time in three, five-minute segments.
Each of the segments was marked in a different color—orange to mark the last five minutes before the race, green to match the boat’s rigging, and light teal to match the Intrepid’s deck.
Not produced in earnest since 1983, the new Carrera Skipper brings back several of these design features.
Contrasting with the Carrera signature blue dial are colorful sub-dials. The 12-hour counter is rendered in “Intrepid Teal” and the 15-minute regatta counter has the same teal, green, and orange segments as the original 1968 model.
The 2023 Carrera Skipper
Triangle-shaped markers positioned at five-minute intervals on the outer curved flange and a bright orange central seconds hand also hearken back to the original.
New Skipper watches utilize elements of modern Carrera timepieces too, specifically the 2023 Carrera Chronograph and 2023 Carrera Chronograph Tourbillion with their “glassbox” effect, in which the sapphire crystal encapsulating the dial runs over the tachymeter scale for a seamless feel.
The effect has a practical side as well, TAG noted, as it offers excellent legibility.
The updated features don’t stop there. The Skipper also boasts the Carrera’s 39mm case, TH20-06 movement with bi-directional winding and 80-hour power reserve, and textile strap.
Available this month, the Carrera Skipper sells for 6,600 Swiss Francs or approximately $7,600 per current exchange rates.
More on Watches
The Latest
Policies & IssuesFeb 20, 2026
Supreme Court Rules Against Most of President Trump’s TariffsIn a 6-3 ruling, the court said the president exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs under IEEPA.
ColumnistsFeb 20, 2026
Peter Smith: Happiness, Cavemen, and Jewelry SalesSmith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
MajorsFeb 20, 2026
Jewelers Vigilance Committee Names Julie Yoakum Board ChairJVC also announced the election of five new board members.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
CollectionsFeb 20, 2026
Boucheron’s ‘Faisceaux’ Brooch Heads to V&A MuseumThe brooch, our Piece of the Week, shows the chromatic spectrum through a holographic coating on rock crystal.
Weekly QuizFeb 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Co-Founder ‘Mama Ann’ Bailey Dies at 100Raised in an orphanage, Bailey was 18 when she met her husband, Clyde. They opened their North Carolina jewelry store in 1948.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Material Good Opens Third Location Material Good is celebrating its 10th anniversary as it opens its new store in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
Events & AwardsFeb 19, 2026
The Original Miami Beach Antique Show Returns in MarchThe show will be held March 26-30 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
AuctionsFeb 18, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Head to AuctionThe estate of the model, philanthropist, and ex-wife of Johnny Carson has signed statement jewels up for sale at John Moran Auctioneers.
PodcastsFeb 18, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
MajorsFeb 18, 2026
Select Jewelry Inks Agreement to Distribute Lightweight Gold JewelryIt will lead distribution in North America for Graziella Braccialini's new gold pieces, which it said are 50 percent lighter.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Looks for Executive DirectorThe organization is seeking a new executive director to lead it into its next phase of strategic growth and industry influence.
Events & AwardsFeb 18, 2026
DCA to Host Gemstone Selling Education Session at IJO EventThe nonprofit will present a live, two-hour introductory course on building confidence when selling colored gemstones.
TrendsFeb 17, 2026
A Bit of Jewelry for the Year of the HorseWestern wear continues to trend in the Year of the Fire Horse and along with it, horse and horseshoe motifs in jewelry.
SourcingFeb 17, 2026
Colored Gemstone Experts Talk Tariffs, Trends in TucsonAlthough the market is robust, tariffs and precious metal prices are impacting the industry, Stuart Robertson and Brecken Branstrator said.
GradingFeb 17, 2026
Dr. George Rossman, Former GIA Governor, Dies at 81Rossman, who advised GIA for more than 50 years, is remembered for his passion and dedication to the field of gemology.
CrimeFeb 13, 2026
JSA Offering $10K Reward in Nancy Guthrie Case Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted just as the Tucson gem shows were starting.
IndependentsFeb 13, 2026
97-Year-Old New Mexico Jewelry Store To CloseButterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to close as members of the Butterfield family head into retirement.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2026
A ‘Rosebud’ Necklace for Valentine’s DayPaul Morelli’s “Rosebud” necklace, our Piece of the Week, uses 18-karat rose, green, and white gold to turn the symbol of love into jewelry.
MajorsFeb 13, 2026
JFC Announces New BeneficiariesThe nonprofit has welcomed four new grantees for 2026.
MajorsFeb 12, 2026
These 8 Saks Fifth Avenue Stores Are ClosingParent company Saks Global is also closing nearly all Saks Off 5th locations, a Neiman Marcus store, and 14 personal styling suites.
CollectionsFeb 12, 2026
British Museum Raises $5M to Keep Jewel Linked to Henry VIII, Katherine of AragonIt is believed the 24-karat heart-shaped enameled pendant was made for an event marking the betrothal of Princess Mary in 1518.
SourcingFeb 12, 2026
‘Cotton Candy’ Necklace, 35-Carat Kunzite Win 2025 ‘Buyer’s Choice’ AwardsThe AGTA Spectrum and Cutting Edge “Buyer’s Choice” award winners were announced at the Spectrum Awards Gala last week.
Events & AwardsFeb 12, 2026
Kering Opens Entries for 2026 Sustainability-Focused AwardThe “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” returns for its second year with “Second Chance, First Choice” as its theme.
TrendsFeb 11, 2026
Halle Berry’s Retro Engagement Ring Is a Sapphire-Set StunnerSourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the yellow gold ring has a round center stone surrounded by step-cut sapphires.
MajorsFeb 11, 2026
Francesca’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe clothing and accessories chain announced last month it would be closing all of its stores.
