Although I occasionally glance at my watch, I don't have the time to make calculations. Instead, I hear a man shout at me: "Fourminutes!" Threeminutes! Two minutes!

The countdown begins five minutes before the start. There is a callout once every 15 seconds, then every ten seconds for the last minute. Each callout takes ten seconds. There is one guy shouting the time downandthere'sanother shouting seconds-to-burn to the line - meaningtocomeoffthe wind and slowdown. Chopard Replica Pre-race measurements tell us how long it will take to cross the line at a given speed, but other boats and conditions may change this.

Different race committees also have different start times. For example, St Tropez has seven minutes warning while Cowes and St Barth have five minutes. It's almost impossible to create an all-round regatta watch. OurRM 60-01 is more a navigator's watch that a regatta timer.

Peter Harrison in a RM 60-01 Regatta Flyback Chronograph

You've been a keen sailor for a long time. How did you convince Richard to take part in Les Voiles de St Barth

Richard and I had been friends since before he started the brand. We discussed various designs for watches for sports,Replica Chopard including one for sailing. He called me one day to tell me he had been asked to sponsor Les Voiles de St Barth and that he needed my opinion as someone who is interested in sailing. Richard is a great example of someone who can see the potential in a project and recognizes its value from the start. This has made him a loyal friend. Francois and Luc have done everything possible to create this regatta. They started from scratch and have now established one of the most prestigious regattas in the world.

This loyalty can only be achieved in two ways.

Absolutely. There is no better regatta for keelboat racing in the Caribbean. They have received offers from other brands, but they trust Chopard Replica and have built an unbreakable relationship. Many of our top-profile ambassadors are attracted by other brands, but they prefer to stay with Chopard Replica who supported them when they weren't in such good shape.

There are many types of opportunism. The opportunism that we use with ambassadors and sponsorship is a family-business approach. Over the years, great brands like Rolex have tried to foster loyalty, and in return that loyalty has been reciprocated. If the family feel is maintained, then the consumer will see that there is genuine affection and feel confident in buying into it.

The partnership will continue.

Absolutely. Francois and Luc spoke with Richard yesterday, and they confirmed that the sponsorship will continue in the future. He said, "It will be a long story."

Les Voiles de St Barth's victorious skipper will receive a Chopard Replica watch and prideful gestures of gratitude.