Panerai’s journey with the America’s Cup, a symbol of nautical excellence and innovation, marks a significant chapter in its storied history. The relationship began in 2017, when Panerai stepped into the sailing sport elite and became an Official Partner of the prestigious sailing competition and the sponsor of the Oracle Team USA and Softbank Team Japan.
Becoming the Official Sponsor of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli for the first time in 2019, it was during the 36th America’s Cup presented by Prada, held in the Hauraki Gulf of Auckland in 2021, that Panerai culminated its nautical ties with the sailing team. This partnership emerged naturally for a brand like Panerai that makes performance and technological innovation its distinctive flags. Over these six years of cherished partnership, Panerai has relentlessly developed collections of technical watches, one for each year of preparation in the run-up to the ultimate challenge, either drawing inspiration from the technologies and materials used in the America’s Cup or from the insights and needs of the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team.
“Our association with the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team resonates deeply with Panerai’s maritime heritage and our pursuit of boundary-pushing performance. This partnership is a natural extension of our brand’s core values,” says CEO of Panerai, Jean-Marc Pontroué. In the run-up to the 37th America’s Cup set in Barcelona, Panerai reaffirms its commitment as the Official Sponsor, joining forces with Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team for the second consecutive edition.
“The synergy with Panerai takes us on a shared journey in pushing the limits of performance, where precision, innovation and a relentless pursuit of excellence are at the heart of our endeavours,” says Max Sirena, the team’s Skipper and Director.
This collaboration intersects with all the pillars of the Panerai identity, embodying Italian DNA, the Maison’s deep-rooted connection to the marine world, and its commitment to crafting instruments for modern heroes. Watches engineered by the Maison’s Laboratorio di Idee at the Panerai Manufacture in Neuchâtel and tested for the toughest conditions, epitomizing the brand’s dedication to durability, reliability, and functionality.
The new Submersible Tourbillon GMT Luna Rossa Experience Edition
Panerai, the proud partner of the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli sailing team, dedicates one of the highest expressions of watchmaking expertise, the Tourbillon, to pay homage to the team in their quest for the America’s Cup.
Limited to just 20 pieces, the Submersible Tourbillon GMT Luna Rossa Experience Edition PAM01405 is set to debut in July 2024 in the lead-up to the America’s Cup finals. To immerse its clients in the thrilling world of sailing, owners of the watch will be invited to partake in a breathtaking experience curated by the Maison during the finals of the America’s Cup in Barcelona. This exclusive opportunity includes a behind-the-scenes view of the competition, offering unmatched access and engagement with the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team, allowing clients to experience the excitement and strategy of this prestigious event up close, embracing spontaneity and genuine moments.
The PAM01405 Experience Edition is the first Submersible in 45mm to feature the tourbillon complication and also the first of its kind to marry the complexity of a tourbillon with the futuristic appeal of Carbotech™, a composite material based on carbon fiber. Indeed, the watch’s case in Carbotech™ purposely echoes one of the materials most represented into the composition of Luna Rossa’s boat hull, made almost entirely of carbon fiber.
The manufacturing process of Carbotech™ involves compressing carbon fiber sheets at a precise temperature and high pressure along with PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone), a superior polymer that binds the composite, enhancing its strength and longevity. The resultant Carbotech™ plates boast superior mechanical properties and performance in term of strength-to-weight ratio enabling very comfortable ergonomics while being resistant to tough wear conditions. Notably lighter than titanium and ceramic, Carbotech™ excels in resistance to external forces and corrosion. Its uneven, matt black surface, which varies according to the cutting of the material, lends every singular watch a slightly different appearance.
PAM01405 features a 45mm case, scaling down from previous Submersible Tourbillons, yet maximizing wearability without compromising its impressive presence. At its core, the hand-wound P.2015/T mechanical caliber results from three years of dedicated development, with the assembly of the movement and tourbillon cage demanding eight painstaking hours of craftsmanship.
The patented tourbillon completes a horizontal rotation every 30 seconds and is a standout feature of this remarkable timepiece. It rotates on the perpendicular to the balance wheel and thus compensates for the effects of gravity on the accuracy of the timepiece. The mechanism undergoes a rigorous testing phase to guarantee optimal power reserve and chronometry, meeting Panerai’s stringent quality standards. With a 4-day power reserve, whose indicator is strategically placed on the reverse side for subtle visibility, a 24-hour GMT function and a night and day indication, this new Submersible caters to the needs of the modern traveler. The watch boasts a water-resistance up to 30 bar (~300 meters), an impressive measure for a high-complication movement. Its design intricately incorporates elements inspired by Luna Rossa, including the shape of the GMT hands that resembles the Luna Rossa sail.
PAM01405’s bezel is made of titanium, finished with a black DLC coating and adorned with white lacquer indexes. To match, an open-worked display allows a glimpse into the watch’s mechanical construction, while the red and white accents on the hands and hour markers not only facilitate legibility but also complement the distinctive Luna Rossa palette. The Super-LumiNova® coating on the flange magnifies the spectacular nature of the design in darkness and serves as an aesthetic nod to Panerai’s deep connection with the field of luminescence. Hour, minutes and bezel comes with blue and green Super- LumiNova® to facilitate reading diving time or simply legibility in poor lighting conditions.
Accompanying the watch are two straps: the first, a Luna Rossa bi-material strap that combines the resilience rubber with the aesthetics of textile, features a sporty design with a striking red accent as a nod to the partnership with the esteemed sailing team. The second rubber strap, in monochrome black, speaks to those who prefer a sleek, understated look to complement the watch’s Carbotech™ case and skeletonized movement.
“Our continuous collaboration with Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team is a course that intertwines innovation with our rich legacy. This Experience edition is also our commitment to offering invaluable insights to our clientele, allowing them to not only own a timepiece of precise engineering but also the opportunity to immerse in experiences that define modern heroes,” says Jean-Marc Pontroué, CEO of Panerai.
