Tying 4-4 at the time of writing in the first to seven points Louis Vuitton Cup final, pundits are predicting a race down to the wire between INEOS Britannia and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli in Barcelona. Weather conditions in Barcelona are pushing their patience and taking their toll on their rigs, but the teams are keeping their eyes steadfastly on the prize – competing against Emirates Team New Zealand in the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Barcelona. The winning Challenger in the prestigious competition will be announced no later than 7 October.
INEOS Britannia is the Challenger of Record, led by the most successful Olympic sailor ever, Rolex Testimonee Sir Ben Ainslie, contesting the third consecutive America’s Cup. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli is led by team director and skipper Max Sirena, who has eight America’s Cup campaigns to his credit. This will be his sixth with the Italian team.
This 173-year-old competition is ultimately decided by “a direct confrontation” between the Defender, the reigning champions, and the Challenger, determined by the final selection mentioned above. To date, 36 editions have been held and only four nations have won: Australia (once), the United States (29 times), New Zealand (four times), and Switzerland (twice).
This partnership between Title Sponsor Louis Vuitton and the America’s Cup celebrates their shared values of excellence and constant innovation. These principles are reflected in both the technical design of the yachts and the Trophy Trunks, specially crafted by Louis Vuitton for the Louis Vuitton Cup and the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona. Both brands take a similar approach, using 3D design and combining sustainable, lightweight materials, whether in the creation of the Trophy Trunks or the foils that allow the AC40 and AC75 yachts to “fly” at high speeds (over 50 knots) through the water.
Three commemorative watches from the official timekeeper
Three decades on from when it all began, Omega’s loyalties remain firmly with the sailors from New Zealand. As the official timekeeper for the world’s most prestigious regatta, the Swiss brand has developed numerous watches designed to tackle the demands of high-speed boat racing. Its latest release in celebration of the 37th America’s Cup is the 46.75mm Seamaster Regatta, a versatile sailing instrument watch that combines both analogue and digital displays.
The Seamaster Regatta, housed in grade 5 titanium, is packed with essential sailing tools, including a moon phase indicator, chronograph, regatta race function, sailing logbook, temperature gauge, accelerometer, and three alarms.
Designed for quick readability, especially in turbulent seas, its unique dial features an LCD display with black markings on a white-grey background, and the Diver 300M-inspired hour, minute and central seconds hands can be cleared in backlit mode to enhance digital legibility. The watch’s four rubberised pushers ensure easy operation on deck, while the sandblasted crown offers smooth control. Additionally, the wave-pattern caseback uses “Helmholtz resonance” to amplify the volume of its multi-functional alarms for audible cues.
Meanwhile, to mark its role as the official timekeeper for the fourth time, Omega released a special edition Seamaster Diver 300M. This 42mm stainless steel watch features a blue ceramic unidirectional bezel with a regatta scale, highlighting two five-minute pre-start sections and a START section with a regatta flag. The white ceramic dial, laser engraved with waves, complements the design. The central seconds hand features an America’s Cup trophy counterweight, while the sapphire crystal caseback displays the event’s logo alongside Omega’s Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8806, powering this collectible timepiece.
Finally, Omega produced a logo-inspired tribute to Emirates Team New Zealand. The 45.5mm Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black ETNZ Edition has a black ceramic case and unidirectional bezel with a white enamel diving scale and a Super-LumiNova triangle dot at 12 o’clock that glows green in the dark.
The matte ceramic dial includes a countdown indicator at 3 o’clock, reflecting pre-race protocol, with turquoise accents on the hand, subdial ring, and other details, such as the chronograph hand and minute track. The NAIAD lock caseback showcases the Emirates Team New Zealand logo with a turquoise fern, while the watch is powered by OMEGA’s Master Chronometer Calibre 9900.
Fighting spirit
Participating in the America’s Cup requires vision, innovation, and boldness, values that unite Tudor with Alinghi Red Bull Racing. Tudor’s Pelagos FXD and Pelagos FXD Chrono “Alinghi Red Bull Racing Edition” watches are designed for competitive yacht racing, featuring carbon composite, titanium, and stainless steel materials.
The watches, powered by Tudor manufacture calibres, embody the daring spirit of the sport. Notably, the Pelagos FXD Chrono includes Grade X1 Swiss Super-LumiNova for enhanced visibility, while the case back is engraved with the Alinghi Red Bull Racing logo, honouring their collaboration.
