Sailing experiences on Switzerland’s Lac Leman are largely reserved for the locals with very few possibilities for the unconnected, uninitiated visiting sailor, but all that is about to change thanks to one of the oldest travel agents in Geneva, Fert & Cie.
Fert & Cie. bespoke voyages
Founded in 1871, Fert & Cie is best known for its bespoke voyages that have been taking private and corporate clients to the four corners of the globe for over 152 years. Always on the lookout for off-the-beaten-track experiences for its clients, it came to their attention that luxury sailing adventures on the lakes of Switzerland were practically non-existent for tourists. The company’s owner, and fifth generation of the family Jean-Claude Fert, just so happened to have a large sailing boat called the Belotti that he wasn’t using, so he and the Fert team decided to embark on a total refurbishment of the vessel from bow to stern to provide tailor-made trips around Lac Leman.
Testing a new tourism concept
To test the concept, WorldTempus was invited along for a voyage that would take passengers from Switzerland to France and back again, while taking part in some fun activities. The first stop was in Lavaux, one of Switzerland’s most famous wine regions, for some winetasting. From there, there was an opportunity to test drive two of the latest Bentleys, followed by a golf lesson at the famous Evian Golf Academy, a visit to the medieval town of Yvoire, and more. Not to mention all the sailing in between.
TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper
As sailing was the main activity during this three-day trip, I decided to choose a timepiece that would best fit the theme, so I opted for the all-new TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper. This iconic model was first introduced in 1968 and continued in the brand’s collection until 1983. Revived by our colleagues over at Hodinkee for one of their limited editions in 2017, this year TAG Heuer has decided to bring it back into its own collection.
What makes this watch special is its 15-minute countdown timer which is divided into three sectors of five minutes in different colours. This complication was designed especially for use during regattas where boats get anywhere between five and 15 minutes to approach the invisible start line. This is a particularly tricky task with the water and wind moving the boat around too, so it is important to have a good command of how much time is left.
The new version is faithful to the original with the same colouring and functions. A keen eye, however, will notice that there is now a sapphire glass box, which eliminates the need for a bezel, and reinforces the domed effect of the dial which is slightly curved towards the edge.
Another detail that has changed from the vintage piece is that the word “Carrera” is now positioned above the TAG Heuer logo, and the “Skipper” name has been added to the 12-hour chronograph counter at 9 o’clock. In terms of numbers, it comes in a 39 mm stainless steel case, is water resistant to 100m, and comes with an 80-hour power reserve thanks to its Calibre TH20-06. Completing the sporty look, there is also a bright orange chronograph seconds hand, a small seconds and date at six o’clock, and a water-resistant blue fabric strap.
An experience to remember
Now that my wrist looked the part, it was time to set sail on the Belotti thanks to the expert skills of the crew – colleagues from our sister publication Skippers Magazine. The wind wasn’t playing ball, but none of the guests minded in the slightest as they were able to take a dip in the water in the idyllic setting where the mountains seemed to plunge directly into the lake. We managed to get just enough wind to make it to Evian in time for lunch, and what a pleasant surprise to find Bentley Switzerland waiting for us in a Bentayga Extended Wheelbase (EWB) and a Continental GT at the port.
Evian Resort Golf Club & Academy
After a delightful lunch at the Evian Resort Golf Club, we took part in a golf lesson for beginners at the resort’s Golf Academy. Golf has never been a sport that has really appealed to me, perhaps because everyone in my family is so much better at it than I am. After just an hour’s lesson with a pro, however, not only was I hitting the balls, but they were kind of going in the direction I wanted. I was astounded by how a good teacher can make all the difference, to the extent that I am actually considering taking up the sport now!
A night at the source of the world’s most famous water
It is funny, Evian is literally across the lake from my house on the Swiss side, but it had been years since I had spent any time there, and what a treat it was. We had the pleasure of dining on the terrace of La Veranda restaurant while watching the sun go down, before staying the night at the luxurious Hotel Ermitage.
Yvoire and home
The following day was our biggest sail day with 23.7 nautical miles to cover. With a pitstop in Yvoire for lunch and a quick tour of the medieval town, it was back on the Belotti for an afternoon of sailing where the crew put up the balloon-shaped Spinnaker sail to pick up some speed. Gliding down the lake towards Geneva was an absolute joy. There is something about sailing that chases all your worries away. Arriving back in Geneva, I wasn’t quite ready to get back on land. Luckily, TAG Heuer had let me keep the Carrera Skipper for just a few more days, so the adventure wasn’t quite over yet!
