Claiming the America’s Cup
When you think of Panerai, you might immediately conjure up an image of a dive or yacht watch. The brand has a deep history of producing instruments optimized for the deep blue sea. It started around the turn of the twentieth century when they began developing timekeeping devices for the Royal Italian Navy. Today, their work continues with esteemed events, like The America’s Cup for which they created the Panerai Luminor Oracle.
Panerai has been involved with the sport of yachting for over a decade. In that time, they’ve sponsored a number of their own races, like the Classic Yachts Challenge. Then, at the annual SIHH conference in 2017, they announced a bigger role in the sport. They secured a sponsorship deal with the 35th America’s Cup, replacing Bremont as the official timer of the famed race. The America’s Cup first established in 1851. It predates the modern Olympic Games by 45 years, making it the oldest awarded international sport. As the official partner, Panerai firmly solidified its place as the premier producer of maritime watches.
Creating the Exclusive Panerai Luminor Oracle
In addition to their collaboration with the prestigious sailing competition, Panerai also joined forces with two individual America’s Cup teams. First, they worked with Defender of the 35th America’s Cup, Oracle Team USA. The Defender is the yacht that holds the cup from the previous season’s race. In addition, they worked with Softbank Team Japan. For each partnership, they designed limited edition America’s Cup watches.
Panerai created not one, not two, but three unique watches for Oracle Team USA. One is the Panerai Luminor 1950 Oracle Team USA Chrono Flyback Limited Edition PAM 725. As the model name suggests, it features a Luminor 1950-style case with a modern 44mm design. Inside, the model houses the brand’s P.9100 caliber. The movement comes equipped with a flyback chronograph mechanism with a column wheel vertical clutch construction. As opposed to the typical tachymetric scale graduated for land speed, this model has a nautical tachymeter. Panerai has calibrated it for one nautical mile. This allows the wearer to calculate the speed of a vessel traveling over a nautical mile. The limited edition Panerai also boasts water resistance up to 100 meters and a power reserve of three days.
Additional Commemorative Features
In addition, the watch showcases an all-black design with a matte ceramic case and bezel coupled with a leather strap. Accents of red and blue not only honor the race but also serve a purpose. The blue of the chronograph seconds hand gives it optimal legibility against the all-black color scheme. It’s contrasted by the red minutes hand. Panerai also offset the sub dials with the red and blue hues. The running seconds sub dial at the nine-o’clock position features a blue hand. Then, the elapsed hours sub dial at the three-o’clock position features a red hand. In addition, Panerai carries these pops of color onto the strap, which includes both red and blue stitching.
Of course, the Luminor 1950 Oracle Team USA Chrono Flyback Limited Edition PAM 725 wouldn’t be complete without commemorative markings. The brand prominently displayed the America’s Cup logo under their own on the dial. However, the caseback is where the team and event really shine. It showcases an engraving of the Oracle Team USA logo, complete with the profile of a sailboat.
A Modern Rarity
Panerai only produced this one-of-a-kind model in a limited run of just 200 pieces. However, if you’re a fan of sailing, the America’s Cup, or the brand, you’re in luck. We were fortunate enough to get one of these special edition models in our inventory. You can check out all the specs on the Panerai Luminor 1950 Oracle Team USA Chrono Flyback Limited Edition PAM 725 right on our site. Happy shopping!
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