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 Luna Rossa PAM01565
Launching on the second day of Watches and Wonders 2024 in Geneva, the Submersible Luna Rossa PAM01565, developed by the Laboratorio di Idee at the Panerai Manufacture in Neuchâtel, is an e-commerce exclusive available in a limited edition of 300 pieces.
“The Submersible Luna Rossa PAM01565 is a tribute to the daring and the audacious, launched exclusively on our e-commerce worldwide today in conjunction with the second day of Watches and Wonders 2024. This watch encapsulates the essence of competitive sailing – a relentless drive toward victory and a deep respect for the marine domain. With the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team at the helm, striving for triumph in the America’s Cup 2024, Panerai stands by them, not only as a sponsor but as a kindred spirit in the quest for innovation and excellence,” says Jean-Marc Pontroué, CEO Of Panerai.
Encased in a 42mm brushed steel case, the watch boasts a unidirectional rotating steel bezel with a black matt ceramic disk, chosen for its notably higher resistance to scratches than a metal one, essential for withstanding the shocks or unintended contact with various objects the bezel is usually exposed to and might be damaged by. The bezel rotates only counterclockwise, allowing for the calculation of immersion time – a crucial feature for an underwater instrument. Water resistant up to 30 bar (approximately 300 meters), this watch has been rigorously tested, subjecting it to a pressure up to 25% greater than the guaranteed water resistance value to ensure it meets Panerai’s stringent standards. The bezel’s robustness complements the watch’s steel case, ensuring the new Submersible Luna Rossa is ready for any challenge, whether it’s aboard a racing yacht or deep beneath the waves.
The watch is powered by the automatic P.900 movement, renowned for its reliability with a 3-day power reserve. The P.900 is an automatic caliber that integrates expansive function within the confines of remarkably streamlined proportions. Measuring 12½ lignes (28mm) in diameter and only 4.2 mm thick, the movement is among the slimmest automatic calibers in the Panerai portfolio. The energy necessary to accumulate a power reserve of three days is delivered by a bidirectional oscillating weight and stored in a single barrel.
Its balance wheel, oscillating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, is securely fixed in position by a balance cock. The caliber is equipped with a stop-second function that enables precise time setting.
The blue sun-brushed dial with a black gradient finish evokes the profound depths of the ocean, a fitting homage to the mysteries of the ocean that Luna Rossa’s sailors navigate with expertise. The dial is adorned with the decal of Luna Rossa, while luminous dot and baton hour markers, along with a date window at 3 o’clock and a small second’s sub-dial at 9 o’clock, enhance readability against the backdrop. The hands are treated with SuperLumiNova®, ensuring visibility in all conditions, and the small red second hands echo the watch’s connection to the competitive spirit of sailing. The screwed case back, which helps to ensure the watch’s high degree of water resistance is engraved with the image of a Slow Speed Torpedo, the notorious “pig” on which the commandos of the Italian Navy sailed through the depths of the sea on their missions while wearing instruments made by Panerai, in the 1940s.
Innovation at Panerai extends to the user experience with an intuitive interchangeability system that allows the wearer to effortlessly switch between straps with a special device that accompanies the timepiece. The first bi-material strap is a nod to the Luna Rossa with its gray tone and striking red accents, while the second dark blue rubber strap offers a more subdued option.
