Looking for a replacement for its iconic 7A28 Yacht Timer, Seiko turned its attention to creating a far more focused set of regatta timers.  Whereas the first Yacht Timer was little more than a 7A28 with the correct color scheme, the Seiko 8M35 Yacht Timer – like the black 1988 Seiko 8M37-6000 Yacht Timer (SBBH007) chronograph here, on a likewise blacked-out stainless-steel bracelet – was created to time races. 
 
The 8M37 is superior to the elusive 7A28 in every manner when used for regatta racing, and was purpose-built piece for sailors, and at first glance this Seiko presents as an analog timepiece; however, in hand it feels much more like a digital watch without the distraction of an LED display. 
 
The Seiko 8M37 is an analog quartz yachting timer, which debuted in the early 1990s, that features a one to 30 minute countdown timer, chronograph, and time functions - all of which are controlled by rotating the crown to select modes.  It includes pre-set 5, 10, or 15-minute timers and a repeat function, making it ideal for regatta racing.  How does it do all this?  Seiko's Calibre 8M37 quartz movement, one of their first quartz movements equipped with a countdown system.  
 
In sailing, the purpose of the watch is all about the countdown and ensuring one guides the boat at speed to the start line at exactly the right time.  Thus, this timing function is key. Unlike the 7A28, which felt a bit more mechanical in operation with traditional pushers and time setting crown, the 8M35 uses its crown more as a selection tool to move between watch complications.
 
Yacht racing requires a countdown period before the start of a race to help keep the boats as fairly placed as possible.  Before the start of a sailboat race, there are two guns, the first gun signals that the race will start in either five, 10, or 15 minutes (depending on the type of race sailed).
 
At the five minute mark, a gun is sounded and the sailors start their countdown functions and maneuver their sailboats as close to the start line as possible.  Once the end of the five minute blue period is reached, the race has begun.
 
Instructions: In its normal position, the crown can be moved forward or backward and this changes the mode of the watch.  The mode is shown in the lower register and is highlighted by a black triangular hand that outlines the pie-shaped mode indicator.
 
In time mode, setting the time is done by pulling the crown out one stop and then using the two pushers to change the hour and minute hands.  Setting 15/10/5 modes moves the needle-like hand to the appropriate countdown area on the upper track.  Then, the upper pusher stops and starts the timer and the lower resets.  The general timer allows for a countdown function of up to 30 minutes and the “Match 0” function allows both hands to be reset to 12:00.

This Yacht Timer comes on a black stainless-steel bracelet, and with nylon strap, rugged travel case, and springbar tool.  The watch functions are set in an atypical manner, and a PDF of the instructions can be found, here.