1958
Marinagraph
Paraíba Racing
CHF 3950.00
iLimited to 99 pieces
Swiss Made
Delivered with two straps: one in white rubber and one in black rubber
Sales open in
Born from the spirit of yacht racing’s renaissance in 1958, the Marinagraph is imagined as the ultimate nautical chronograph—merging the resilience of a skin diver with the precision of a regatta timer. Its monopusher design and patented countdown function reflect the exacting demands of pre-race strategy, while the oversized tide bezel ensures instant readability in shifting waters. Every detail remains faithful to the technical codes of the late 1950s, yet conceived as a wholly original creation. A tribute to the new era of sailing innovation, the Marinagraph embodies the harmony of time, tide, and competition.
Imaginary History
The America’s Cup is the oldest international sporting trophy, first contested in 1851. After decades of dominance by the New York Yacht Club, the competition was interrupted by World War II. The 1958 edition marked the race’s return after a long hiatus, revitalizing the world of competitive sailing. For the first time, 12-Metre class yachts were introduced, replacing the older 15-Metre designs. These new vessels offered improved agility and brought a new level of balance and excitement to the competition.
The 1958 race was more than a sporting event—it represented a broader renewal of innovation in yacht design, navigation strategy, and onboard instrumentation. As sailing entered a new era, the demand for precision and reliability extended beyond the boat itself to the tools used by the crew.
One of the standout vessels of that race was Columbia, the American yacht representing the New York Yacht Club. Designed by Olin Stephens and skippered by Briggs Cunningham, Columbia was built specifically for the 12-Metre era and successfully defended the Cup against the British challenger Sceptre. Among her many innovations, Columbia featured an aluminum mast—an unconventional choice at the time, but one that reduced weight and increased performance. This forward-thinking design echoed a larger trend across engineering disciplines, including watchmaking, where high-performance materials and exacting mechanics were becoming the new standard.
Technical
specifications
Red chronograph seconds hand and minute counter hand white Super-LumiNova®
Matching-colored disc as running indicator
Case diameter: 39 mm
Lug to lug: 47.7 mm
Lug width: 20 mm
Case thickness: 13 mm (with sapphire crystal); 12.1 mm (without sapphire crystal)
Green and black with white (Super-LumiNova®) and red markings
Pusher in red anodized aluminum
Self-winding
Monopusher
Height: 6,60 mm
Diameter: 30,00 mm
Hours and minutes
60 seconds counter in the center
Patented retrograde 10-minute regatta function
Running indicator by disc
Stop second device
28'800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
25 jewels
Typical power reserve: 64 hours
Black rubber strap with Albishorn buckle
The Dial
Shaped in homage to the brand’s mountain emblem, the markers and hands are generously filled with Super-LumiNova® for exceptional visibility in all conditions.
Enhancing this clarity—and unlike any other mechanical chronograph wristwatch—the Marinagraph integrates a patented 10-minute retrograde regatta countdown at 7 o’clock, complemented by a colour-accented aperture at 3 o’clock that serves as a running indicator.
The Case
Just beside it, at 9 o’clock on the case flank, sits a red aluminium pusher—subtly integrated into the design. This placement allows it to be naturally operated by the thumb, widely regarded as the most efficient digit for engaging a chronograph. Its generous dimensions make activation effortless, while lending the watch an additional touch of individuality.
The caseback is engraved with an intricate depiction of a sailing yacht, underscoring the watch’s nautical spirit.
A defining feature of the Marinagraph is its stainless steel rotating bezel with an aluminium insert, calibrated with a tide scale. Designed to track the tidal cycle over a 24-hour period, the bezel is divided into two segments:
White markers, generously filled with Super-LumiNova®, denote the first 12 hours following the last high tide.
Red markers indicate the subsequent 12 hours.
This configuration not only enables tracking of the full 24-hour tidal cycle, but also allows the wearer to estimate the relative tide height at any given hour.
The Movement
A further standout attribute of the Marinagraph’s movement is its remarkably low height for an automatic chronograph of only 6.60 mm, enabling the production of particularly thin chronographs like in the 1950s.
Albishorn specifically developed this movement to showcase the brand's distinctive and unique dial layout, featuring a patented 10-minute retrograde regatta countdown at 7 o’clock and an aperture for a running indicator at 4 o’clock.
Unlike typical regatta chronograph countdown indications, which restart endlessly the countdown once it is over, the one from the Marinagraph was designed to stop once the 10 minutes are over, while the seconds of the chronograph continue running. To reset the countdown indication, the chronograph has to be stopped and reset using the pusher at 9 o’clock.
The Watch
The vision was to create a chronograph that unites the rugged spirit of a skin diver with the precision and sophistication of a true regatta timer. Every detail had to remain faithful to the period, meeting the exacting demands of navigators, while introducing an entirely original creation.
At its core is a 10-minute retrograde countdown function—ideal for the tense countdown before a race start. Unlike conventional countdown timers that reset automatically, the Marinagraph’s mechanism disengages at zero, freezing the hand in place. This subtle but vital feature prevents visual confusion at the starting gun, allowing crews to act with absolute clarity.
A second key feature is the Marinagraph’s large, high-contrast tide indication bezel. In the shifting waters off Newport, where tides play a critical strategic role, rapid readability is essential. The Marinagraph delivers on this need with a layout designed for immediate comprehension, even in turbulent conditions.
Finally, the choice of aluminum for the bezel and chronograph pusher pays subtle homage to Columbia’s mast—a nod to the shared spirit of innovation across disciplines. Just as Columbia embraced new materials to gain a competitive edge, the Marinagraph embodies that same pursuit of progress, imagined through the lens of precision watchmaking.
Available in two distinct executions, the Marinagraph Classic Racing captures the pure essence of the design, while the Paraíba Racing elevates it further with a vivid green dial perfectly matched to its green bezel.
This watch and the accompanying narrative are entirely fictional. They are not affiliated with the America’s Cup, the yacht Columbia, or any related organizations.