We’ve joined forces with our friends at 10:25 Vintage, a New York-based operation with a shared enthusiasm for interesting vintage timepieces, to bring you a robust handpicked collection that is both exceptional and affordable. Perfect for the discerning collector on a budget, these pieces provide an excellent entry point to the joys of vintage watches.

It’s easy to forget in today’s world of super precise digital timing and measurement, but wristwatches were important tools for decades. Whether you were on land, in the air, or at sea, timing things carefully was a necessity, and a number of purpose-built complications were designed for specific uses.

This piece demonstrates one of the more obscure complications - the Yachting chronograph or Regatta Timer. If you haven’t been out yachting recently, we’ll break it down for you. The red, white, and blue sub-dial is the classic feature, with each segment marking a 5 minute interval in the lead-up to a regatta. In the 15 minutes before the race, yachts are jockeying for position behind a starting buoy - the color coding makes the chronograph easy for skippers to read, letting them know how long until they can cross the start line.

If you’ve never heard of Dreffa, we don’t blame you. Like many other brands in the 60’s and 70’s, Dreffa worked with a number of manufacturers throughout Switzerland to produce pieces for their brand. The unsung hero of this particular piece is none other than respected chronograph manufacturer, Ollech & Wajs. The matte black dial and sword-style hands are in beautiful shape, and the regatta countdown adds just the right amount of pop without going overboard.

Featuring a nicely sized 38mm stainless steel case and a hand-wound Valjoux 7730 chronograph movement, this yachting chronograph is every bit as robust as its name-brand cousins at a more accessible price point.

For more information on the world of Regatta Timers, check out this great article over at Worn & Wound, .