Stauer Vela Watch

When we slipped into Nelson’s Dockyard at St. John’s, I was surprised by the number of people who had commandeered the island, and at the fleet of sailboats anchored around the isle. They had come in search of a prize cup. I looked at my wrist. My watch — the Stauer Vela — was the only prize I needed. Antigua Sailing Week is a five-day festival of regattas and parties, catering to more than 5000 sailing fans — and 1000 more sailors — who swarm into Antigua every year. "Vela" is Spanish for sail, so it was appropriate that I brought this watch on my Caribbean cruise.

We designed the Vela with adventure in mind. Its look is smooth and unaffected — call it casual elegance. The beautifully engraved dial simulates the movement of sails billowing in the wind. Its numerals evoke the look of the classic, hand-drawn parchment maps favoured by pirates and their Caribbean crews. A date window keeps you always on schedule and the rich leather straps are engraved in a tropical lizard-grain pattern. Looking around, I realized I was in the right place, at the right time. The sun was dropping behind Boggy Peak, and the parties would soon begin. I glanced down at my Vela Watch and smiled. Perfect timing.