The link between sailing and timekeeping can be traced back to the days of old when sailors braving the seas turned to high-precision marine chronometers for navigation. Niche luxury brand Corum takes this association to the next level.

 

Aside from dedicating an exquisite collection the art of yachting, Corum has been proudly sponsoring a number of tournaments and regattas all over the world. The brand has even sent in its own sailing team into competitions in the past.

Chris Wan, the general manager of Corum Malaysia, outlined a few things you need to know before you buy your first sailing watch.

 

The goal is accurate time and tidal movement measurement

“Basically, sailing timepieces are devoted to time accuracy and consistency of its complications. From the dawn of time, the lives of seagoing professionals have been governed by the rhythms of the tides. In most part of the world, they follow a twice-daily lunar cycle, with the tide coming in on an average 12 hours 25 minutes, before receding again. Hence, it is very important for the sailors to own a timepiece that measures the tidal movements in every coastal region.”

 

Pay attention to the ‘heart’ of the timepiece

“The mistake that most buyers have in common is not being able to differentiate an automatic and quartz timepiece. When you buy a timepiece that is meant for sailing, you buy a watch for its complication like the Admiral’s Cup AC-One Tides. It differs from the typical quartz watch in that it uses purely mechanical components to keep time. The accuracy of time and the mechanics of a timepiece are both important factors for the sailing world.”

 

Recommended watch for novice sailors: Admiral’s Cup AC-One Tides

“As mentioned earlier, one of the most suitable Corum timepiece for sailors in general would be the Admiral’s Cup AC-One Tides. It is an essential navigation instrument and provides important nautical information such as the strength of the tide, an estimation of the water levels, the strength of the currents and the time of the tide. Equipped with Caliber CO277, it is certified by the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of French National Marina and ensures full indications of the height of successive tides. The Moon, which determines tidal movements, appears at 12 o’clock of the timepiece.”

 

Recommended watch for experienced sailors: Admiral’s Cup AC-One 45 Regatta

“The Admiral’s Cup AC-One 45 Regatta features a jumping countdown function adjustable from 0 to 10 minutes, a numerical aperture-type display ensuring perfect readability, as well as a chronograph capable of timing up to 12 hours of racing. The countdown function of the Admiral’s Cup AC One 45 Regatta begins counting off the minutes until the race start. Its regatta movement enables a racing sailor to set the countdown function incrementally to any given minute between the first and last sound signal prior to a race for accurate timing.”

 

More timepiece tips:

How and where to start on your own watch collection

How to determine the value of a watch for sale

Terms every timepiece enthusiast should know