Yachts & Yachting — March 2018

L

essthanadecadeagothe

only device you’d wear on

yourwristwasawatch.

Grantedsomewerequite

sophisticated, incorporating

compasses, barometers and, in the

case of the Breitling Emergency, even

a 121.MHz EPIRB. However, the

choice of options today is far wider,

including powerful computers capable

of running a wide range of apps – many

of which are optimised for racing.

START WATCHES

Given that the start of a race is so

crucial, a device that clearly displays the

critical information and is easy to use is

anobviousadvantage.Althoughboats

fitted with a Velocitek ProStart or Shift

cannowusethestartlinefunctionson

that device, which enables everyone on

board a small keelboat or sportsboat

to see the countdown, an easy-to-use

start watch still has clear benefits.

That’s the reason for the huge

popularity of Optimum Time’s OS3

series, which has been optimised for this

purpose. It has a big, clear display, along

withbuttonsthatareclearlylabelled

and large enough to be used reliably

evenwithglovedhandsinthedepths

of winter. The combination of count-

down timer, with audible assistance,

and a dedicated button to sync (i.e.

correct) the time at the four-minute

preparatory signal and one-minute

whistle is a great combination and

willclearlycontinuetobepopular.

The company’s OS14 and OS14R

models update the concept, with a larger

threelinescreen.Inthefinal59seconds

the digits are an impressive 59mm high

andthere’savibrateoptionaswellasthe

familiar audible beeps. Optimum Time

also produces a wider range of sailing-

oriented watches, with a choice of styles

suitable for everyone from junior sailors

tomodelsthatcanbeworntotheoffice.

Gillalsohasalonghistoryof

producing good sailing watches. The

current range of four watches includes

two race timers, plus the sleek Regatta

Master, which was recently updated

and also offers the familiar standard

time,date,dayandtimerfeatures,

plus a useful international dual time

featureandtwoalarms.TheOC

Racer Watch has the styling of a dress

watch, but is designed as a state-of-

the-art sailing watch. Construction is

of marine-grade stainless steel, with

scratch resistant, anti-reflective glass

and a shock and impact resistant case.

Above

A clear, user-

friendlywatch is

a dinghy racing

essential

09

NEXT MONTH

Footwear

On sale

09 March ALEX IRWIN/SPORTOGRAPHY.TV

Thepastfewyearshaveseenaproliferationofwrist-worngadgets

aimedatthesailingmarket.RUPERT HOLMESreports

WATCHES AND

WRIST GADGETS

WRIST GADGETS TECH FOCUS

80 Yachts & Yachting March 2018 yachtsandyachting.co.uk