All eyes may be on the Olympics, but preparations are ramping up for the America’s Cup, the oldest trophy in sailing history awarded to the victor in a challenge between yacht clubs. Louis Vuitton is the headline sponsor for the 37th edition of the race series, which takes place in Barcelona, Spain, between 22 August and 27 October 2024. The AC75 Class, which competed in the 36th edition in 2021, has been reconfirmed. The five participating challengers are Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (ITA) with Panerai as the official sponsor, Ineos Britannia (GBR), NYYC American Magic (USA), Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI) and Orient Express Racing Team (FRA). They will be racing AC75 foiling monohulls, the same class that contested the Cup in 2021, hoping to claim the trophy from the defender, Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL).
The America’s Cup (1851) history precedes the Olympics (1896) by 45 years and is regarded as the ultimate sailing competition because of its dual sporting and technological challenge. The AC75s are so finely tuned and technologically innovative that they can reach speeds that translate to “flight time” on the water in the right conditions. Led by skipper and team director Max Sirena and representing the Circolo della Vela Sicilia for the third time, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli has built a highly competitive boat, testing solutions, materials and technologies on its LEQ12 prototype, built and developed in-house at the Cagliari base. “With Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli we are sharing an Italian story that is the emblem of sports and technology of a country we must be proud of. The America’s Cup is my obsession, I won it twice, but those victories don’t count: I want to win it with this team, with Luna Rossa, with Italy,” says Max.
The sailing team is representative of the elite in Italian sport, from World and Olympic medal-winning sailors, America’s Cup winners and rowing champions to professional cyclists and rugby players united in their goal to win the America’s Cup and take it home to Italy. To stand a chance to do that, they must first win the Challenger Selection Series to be raced from 22-25 August 2024. The winning challenger faces the defender in the final 37th America’s Cup match from 12-21 October 2024). The format is a Match Race (one-on-one), and the best of 13 races; the first to score seven wins is the winner.
Panerai’s Tribute to Luna Rossa
To mark the occasion, Panerai launched a collection of watches at Watches and Wonders Geneva in April this year. They were showcased in a 560-square-metre booth designed to reflect the industrial elements of the Luna Rossa hangar, including suspending the 2 100kg Luna Rossa prototype from the ceiling. The showpiece symbolised the heart of the Luna Rossa team’s engineering endeavours while highlighting Panerai’s dedication to precision and innovation. “Our partnership with Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli is a central theme, reflected in a collection of watches designed for competition.
They are designed to conquer, drawing inspiration from the very materials that grace the hulls and sails of Luna Rossa. This partnership echoes our shared ethos of striving for excellence and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Each watch was developed with the team’s input and rigorously tested by them, to ensure they meet the demands of competition at the highest level. It’s a mix of advanced technology and a relentless competitive spirit that rings at the heart of our commitment to innovation and excellence,” says Panerai CEO Jean-Marc Pontroué. This is Panerai’s second consecutive edition as an official sponsor of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. “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. 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 are engineered and tested for the harshest conditions, epitomising the brand’s dedication to durability, reliability, and functionality.
Submersible QuarantaQuattro Luna Rossa Ti-Ceramitech Series
The new Submersible QuarantaQuattro Luna Rossa Ti-Ceramitech series, PAM01466 and PAM01543, features Ti-Ceramitech, a material seven years in development at the Laboratorio di Idee at the Panerai Manufacture in Neuchâtel. The 44mm Ti-Ceramitech case, inspired by a material and process used initially in high-performance competitive environments, is a unique feature of the collection. The ceramisation of steel parts to significantly reduce friction, enhancing the efficiency and speed of racing boats, was a source of inspiration for Panerai. The brand has a patent pending for a titanium ceramisation process that can achieve a very particular shade of blue through Electrolytic Plasma Oxidation. The resultant case is 44 per cent lighter than steel yet has fracture toughness ten times higher than traditional ceramic. The blue sun-brushed dial of PAM01466 and the white matte-grained dial of PAM01543 feature a Luna Rossa decal, small red second hands, a date window at 3 o’clock, a seconds subdial at 9 o’clock, and luminous hands and hour markers. The two strap options include a biomaterial strap with a red stripe and the words’ Luna Rossa’ in white against a blue backdrop and a blue rubber strap. PAM01466 is available across all networks, and PAM01543 is available exclusively in boutiques.
Submersible GMT Luna Rossa Titanio PAM01507
Meanwhile, the Submersible GMT Luna Rossa Titanio, which pays homage to the America’s Cup races, features the new Super-LumiNova X2 on the indexes and hour hand, providing 10 per cent more luminosity than its predecessor after 180 minutes in the dark. This watch features the automatic P.900/GMT24H movement, known for its reliability and three-day power reserve. The calibre is compact, measuring 28mm in diameter and 5.46mm thick, and uses a bidirectional oscillating weight to store energy in a single barrel. The GMT complication with a 24-hour display references Panerai models from the early 2000s, enhancing usability for tracking multiple time zones. The GMT hand, inspired by the Luna Rossa sails, complements a blue sun-brushed dial and flange bearing the Luna Rossa sail decal. The watch also has a unidirectional rotating titanium bezel with a blue matt ceramic disk that is resistant to scratches. Green lacquer accents the indices and hour hand, highlighting the Super-LumiNova X2, while Super-LumiNova X1 illuminates the blue-accented minute hands and bezel dots. The watch has the same strap options as PAM01466 and PAM01543 and will be available exclusively in boutiques starting September 2024.
