Memosail Countdown Yacht Timer - Valjoux 7737 Movement

Collectors piece Memosail Countdown Yacht Timer with Valjoux 7737 manual winding movement dating to the late 1960s to early 1970s and comes on the original Memosail strap. An unusual and very striking watch. Primarily made for yacht racing where the timer is started 10 minutes before the race. The idea is so that when the signal is heard 10 minutes before the race begins, the yacht can maneuverer into place with gaining speed for crossing the start line at the exact right time. The countdown numbers are large so the skipper can instantly see how much time has elapsed. The countdown chronograph is very unusual in that it is a wheel beneath the dial much like a date wheel. In the stopped position, the chrono wheel states "start" which is ready for the start of the race. When the chrono is activated with the pusher at 2, the timer begins, and the orange sweep hand is set into action. At 30 seconds, the chrono wheel does a half turn and at 60 seconds it does a full turn to indicate 1 minute of elapsed time. The number 10 will also come into view on the chrono wheel, which is the first minute of the 10 minute countdown that has elapsed. This will continue for 10 minutes until the chrono wheel has fully revolved, and countdown passes the 1 minute mark and the race begins. The first 5 minutes of the chrono wheel is yellow with black numbers, and the last five minutes is red with white numbers. Ingenious design, which can also be used for a 15 minute timer as the word "start" is broken up into 5 letters, which can be used as a 15 minute countdown. The countdown numerals on the outer chapter of the dial is a 60 second countdown so the skipper can see at any time, the exact counted down time. For instance if the chrono wheel is on 6 and the chrono hand is pointing to 45, this means that there is 6 minutes and 45 seconds left to the start of the race. (the bottom picture shows 3 minutes and 50 seconds left to the start of the race). The movement is a Valjoux 7737 which is a modified Valjoux 7733. The modification allows the chrono wheel to do a half turn at 30 seconds. The pusher at 4 resets the chrono wheel and chrono hand. Solid and heavy stainless steel case, yacht logo on the dial and engraved into case back as well as the orginal owners name and address. Width is 45 mm excluding crowns, 47 mm including crowns and 45 mm lug to lug, thickness is 14 mm.