In 1988 the Memotime S.A. company was founded as a sub-brand for Corum. The company focused on nautical watches (Memosail), dive timers (Memodive) and chronographs (Memostart). Apparently the rights for the name Memosail have been taken over by Memotime.
For a new series of yachttimer watches Memotime worked with Conseilray, a watch movement design and manufacturing consulting company, founded in 1977 and active throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s. Together Memotime and Conseilray developed the 883 regatta module in combination with either a Ronda-Harley 775 quartz or an ETA 2671 automatic movement. Due to its size, the ETA 2671 movement is used in many ‘Swiss made’ self winding ladies watches. Unusual the regatta module operates independently of the time-movement and included it’s own battery. Thus the regatta complication 883 is entirely separate from the timekeeping function.
Memosail 883 quartz regatta module with either a quartz or an automatic movement for timekeeping.
The basic time-keeping movement is capped and ringed by a bell-shaped (patented) module containing a battery, an integrated circuit and the countdown mechanism which controls the indicator disk that changes the colour of the five circular holes in the dial, plus a 60-second totalizer subdial at 6 o’clock. This technical solution limits the power drain and provides a constant and independant time-keeping function.
In 1989, at the European Watch Clock and Jewellery fair, the first Memotime model with a 883 regatta module was introduced. In their brand new brochure, Memotime has devided their sport watches in three model series: Regatta, Skipper-Racing and Prestige.
Memotime’s new 1990’s brochure.
Memosail Regatta:
Page 2 and 3 of the 1990’s brochure.
Some examples of the Memosail Regatta models (strangely it is spelled Regata on the dial). Ref. 1704 with a goldplated case and dark dial, ref. 1903 with a black chromed case and white dial, and ref. 1702.102 with a stainless steel case and silver dial. All models in the Regatta series have a double-quartz movement.
Memosail Skipper-Racing:
Page 4 and 5 of the 1990’s brochure.
And some examples of the Memosail Skipper-Racing models. Ref . 1501 steel case, windrose bezel and white dial, and ref. 2514 goldplated case, different bezel and white dial. Various models with either the 883 double-quartz or 883 automatic-quartz movement.
Memosail Prestige:
Page 6 and 7 of the 1990’s brochure.
In the Prestige series, there were some Memostart , a Memodive and two Memosail Automatic versions listed. This new fully automatic Memosail, ref. 2551 or 2554, was first introduced in 1992. It is fitted with the same Valjoux 7757 regatta movement as used in the 1980’s in the Atlantic Skipper, the Eberhard Azzurra, the Wyler Vetta La Giraglia and the earlier (prototype) version of the Memosail Automatic. More information and details about the regatta caliber 7757 can be found at the Atlantic section here. The Memosail version also has the Paul Elvström tactical system printed on the dial and all watches are engraved with an individual number (eg. 1-576) on the caseback.
Memosail Automatic ref. 2551 with a Valjoux 7757 regatta movement, serial 1-576.
Memosail Automatic ref. 2554 with a Valjoux 7757 regatta movement, serial 1-668. At least one special was made, showing this O’Neill Limited Edition in the right picture.
Model: Memosail Automatic.
- Reference: 2551 stainless steel case, white dial and leather strap.
- 2554 goldplated stainless steel case, white dial and leather strap.
- Caliber: automatic Valjoux 7757 regatta movement.
- Case size: Ø 41,2 mm / H 14,3 mm.
- Year: from 1992.
Apparently the new Memosail automatic ref. 2551 was made in cooperation with Atlantic, when they developed their Atlantic Skipper. Take a closer look to both watches, and judge for your self:
Memosail Automatic and Atlantic Skipper, both with a Valjoux 7757 movement and resembling dial and bezel.
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A little earlier in 1989, also at the European Watch Clock and Jewellery fair, Memotime introduced a series of colourful countdown watches named Memosurf and Memosail-fun. All of these models are housed in a carbon fibre case, driven by the earlier double quartz movement (quartz Ronda-Harley 775 movement with the Memosail 883 countdown module) and with a matching coloured strap signed Memotime.. Rather than using a traditional layout with the crown and pusher placed on the right side, the movement is rotated 90º inside the case repositioninng the crown and pusher at 12 o’clock, resulting in the ‘Bullhead’ layout as seen in vintage chronograps by Breitling, Seiko and others.
Memosurf in yellow and green, with black hands.
Memosail-fun in black and blue, with white hands.
Obviously some Special Editions where made as well. Here a red version for HobieCat, and a black and a green version both for the Swiss Sailing Pool. All three with different hands.
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Circa 1990 Memosail introduces two new yachttimer models with the automatic Valjoux 7757 regatta movement: the Memosail Skipper and the Memosail Skipper Jubile. The first one is housed in a grey metal case with a matt finish. The second one was produced as a limited and numbered edition, and comes in a 18 carat goldplated case, and has a glass lookthrough caseback.
Memosail Skipper and Memosail Skipper Jubile.
Ad for the Memosail Skipper in the US magazine MotorBoating feb-jun 1990.
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In 1992 Memotime is the official sponsor for the USA defending yacht America3 in the 28th edition of the America’s Cup. As the winner of the 1992 Citizen Cup defender selection series, America3 battled against the winner of the 1992 Louis Vuitton Cup challenger selection series, Il Moro di Venezia.
With 4 to 1 battles won, America3 was elected as winner of the race! It was the first edition of the America’s Cup that was sailed on International America’s Cup Class yachts.
For the event all crew members of the America3 were given a special edition of a Memosail watch (with automatic/quarts movement) with US flag, ‘America3’ and ‘the 1992 defender’ on the dial.
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Ad for the Merit Cup Regatta Watch by Memotime.
In the late 1990’s Memotime released a special version of their regatta watch, the Merit Cup Regatta Classic, obviously dedicated to the sailing yacht Merit Cup. She was the entry for Monaco in the 1997-98 Whitbread Round the World Race skippered by the English Grant Dalton, and finished as second.
The Merit Cup Regatta Classic was available in either a double-quartz with a steel windrose bezel, ref. 1501, or an automatic-quartz version, ref. 2504, with a blue colored compass bezel. There even was a special edition, the Merit Cup Limited Edition. This gold plated version has a map of the racetrack on the dial, and the text ‘Round The World Race’ in the subdial. Mind the unusual red and yellow colours of the indicator disk.
Instructions for the Merit Cup Regatta Classic watch by Memotime.
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In 1999 when Corum faced the Asian financial crisis the company shut down their daughter-company, and eventually Memotime was sold to LNC SARL – Memotime Products in 2000. LNC kept selling the Memosail watches for several years, as there still was a stock of parts.
This is the end of part 2. To be continued in the Memotime 2001 – 2016 section.
Source:
- Many thanks to Jürgen Rahmer for the copies of your Merit Cup Regatta Classic watch instructions.
- Many thanks to Ruch Cristine of LNC, for your given information by e-mail.
- https://www.watch-wiki.net/index.php?title=Memotime