Shortly before (and for a time after) TAG's takeover of Heuer in 1984, it produced a line of legendary divers - first in Monin, France, with automatic movements, and subsequently in Switzerland with Swiss quartz movements.
The example here is a descendant of one of these divers - with a unique complication (namely, a regatta time) - a full serviced 1997 TAG Heuer 2000 Searacer Ref. CK111R regatta diver watch on its original TAG Heuer-signed bracelet and with TAG Heuer box.
As one of TAG Heuer's professional series, the Searacer was designed to measure yachting regattas and targeted the sailing community. With a regatta timing function, the Searacer model is now seldom seen, with its original signed bracelet, at that. The distinctive feature of the Searacer is its regatta timing function, with its inner bezel numbered from 1-10.
The Searacer has a black central sweeping seconds hand for the chronograph functions and two subdials. The left subdial is a 12-hour counter, the right subdial shows 1/10th second for the chronograph – the central red hand counts the regatta minutes.
The Searacer was worn by Chris Dickson, skipper of the Dennis Conner’s Team’s "Toshiba" in the Whitbread Round the World Race (1997/98). The first generation Searacer watches were available with either a brushed and polished stainless-steel bracelet with double-safety clasp (like the example here, the Ref. CK111R.BA0328), or with a calfskin leather strap with signed buckle (Ref. CK111R.FC8117).
As we noted, the distinctive feature of the Searacer is its regatta function, with its inner-bezel numbered from 1-10. The watch has a black central sweeping seconds hand for the chronograph functions and two sub-dials - the left sub-dial is a 12 hour counter while the right sub-dial shows 1/10th second for the chronograph; the central red hand counts regatta minutes.
In the late 1970s, as Jack Heuer tells it in his autobiography, Heuer was at a sporting goods trade show in Europe and was approached by a diving equipment company that was having trouble finding quality dive watches that could be co-branded, G. Monnin. And the rest – literally history...
The Heuer diver would go on to become one of the company’s bestselling models ever, even lasting into the early '90s under the new TAG Heuer banner. After a year of outsourcing to Monnin, Heuer took over the manufacturing of the diver, and sold it in a myriad of versions, with different case sizes in gold or steel (even two-tone), a PVD version (both black and camo green), and orange, black, and full-lume dials, all with bracelet or rubber strap.
How to Work the Regatta Countdown Function:
Separate from its normal chronograph section, the TAG Heuer Searacer Regatta Chronograph also functions as a countdown timer for yacht racing. By depressing and holding the bottom chronograph pusher, the chronograph is put into “Countdown” mode. This is indicated by the red left register hand pointing in the downward position. The left register does not have a timing function in this mode, and only acts as a countdown mode indicator. Once the countdown mode is activated, depressing the top chronograph pusher at the two o’clock begins the countdown timing.
The Searacer’s center black chronograph hand counts seconds – the large red chronograph hand will advance every 10 seconds; by using the outer dial chapter, the red hand will count down for 10 minutes. Once the 10 minute countdown has completed, the chronograph will automatically switch back to standard chronograph timing mode and the left register will point up.
This Ref. CK111R regatta diver comes on its original bracelet, and with leather rally strap, rugged travel case, and springbar tool.
Please note this Heuer Regatta comes with its original TAG Heuer-signed box.
1997 TAG Heuer 2000 Searacer Ref. CK111R Regatta Chronograph
DIAL: Signed colorful dial that pops on the wrist; red and black script remains crisp and defined - no fade or imperfections present. Matching “church” hour, minute, and second hands, with vibrant red and green chronograph hands. Lume remains bright, following exposure to strong light.
CASE: Stainless-steel case measures 39.5mm (42mm w/crown and robust crown guard) x 44mm, with matching caseback. Bezel remains in good condition, and rotates counter-clockwise - with a solid rachet - as designed.
CRYSTAL: Crystal is crack and deep scratch-free.
BAND: Original stainless-steel TAG Heuer-signed bracelet, which will accommodate up to an approx. 7.25 inch wrist (or approx. eight inches if the diver's expansion clasp is expanded); links remain tight.
MOVEMENT: 27-jewel TAG Heuer ETA 251.282 quartz movement. We have performed a full service on this watch.
CROWN: Signed stainless-steel screw-down crown.