There is no second. The philosophy of the America’s Cup has always been that the only thing that counts is winning. A vision shared by Panerai as the Florentine maison is second to none in terms of either research or performance. “The partnership between Panerai and the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team,” said Panerai CEO Jean Marc Pontroué, “expresses all the values our brand holds dear: technical innovation, Italian excellence, a love of the sea, and audacity. The same values we want to pass on to our passionate clients by immersing them in the emotions that Luna Rossa will bring us”. But there’s more: “We have been also extremely proud to be the Official Timekeeper of the PRADA Cup,” continued Pontroué, “as the partnership reflects our innovative soul”.
An absolute first sealed by the victory of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team that has beaten the British Ineos Team UK in the Prada’s Cup final. Now the moment of truth has come with the America’s Cup regattas against Emirates Team New Zealand. To mark the time of the Italian team in what promises to be exciting regattas will once again be Panerai this time alongside Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team.
To celebrate this particular moment in time, the maison has developed a family of models that will relaunch its partnership with the Italian challenge and look set to become cult must-haves not just for watch collectors but sailors too. Three references in particular stand out: the Luminor Luna Rossa Regatta, Luminor Luna Rossa Chrono Flyback, and Luminor Luna Rossa GMT 42MM. All of the are the product of intensive research aimed, very much as was the case with the AC75s, at maximum uncompromising performance. Hence the decision to focus on high tech materials.
In the case of the Luminor Luna Rossa Regatta that means Carbotech for the 47mm case, while micro-blasted black ceramic was chosen for the Luminor Luna Rossa Chrono Flyback’s 44mm case. The deep and abiding connection with Luna Rossa is underscored in no uncertain terms on the dial which is dark grey and has a sandwich structure trimmed in technical sail fabric. The two references are powered by two manufacture movements.
The mechanical automatic Calibre P.9100/R beats away inside the Luminor Luna Rossa Regatta, which has a race countdown function. The Chrono Flyback delivers absolute precision and the countdown function too, courtesy of the Calibre P.9100. Both watches also have a black “Ponte Vecchio” calfskin strap plus a second black rubber version, and are water-resistant to 100 metres.
Last but not least the Luminor Luna Rossa GMT 42. With its rigorous technical and aesthetic specifications, the new Luminor Luna Rossa elevates the already lofty reputation of a revered collection with the addition of a novel material: ScafotechTM. The innovative and sustainable composite is made from carbon fiber residue collected from the hull and hydrofoils of the Italian team’s AC75 yacht.
It has been recycled and forged into a high-tech polymer for use as the watch dial. This model features a 42 mm case in sandblasted titanium, a Carbotech bezel while the Safety Lock crown protection device (protected by trademark) is in sandblasted titanium. The Mechanical with automatic winding, Caliber P.9010/GMT, movement regulates Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, and GMT functions. The latter is particularly useful for staying tuned to the time in Auckland and not missing a second of the America’s Cup regattas.
Matteo Zaccagnino
