37th America’s Cup Watches
Knowing the correct time has been key to seamanship for centuries. And as the 37th America’s Cup draws near, the watch world is readying for the next installment of the race for the world’s oldest international sporting trophy, first awarded in 1851.
Omega will serve as the race’s official timekeeper for the fourth time and will outfit the Cup defending crew, Emirates Team New Zealand, with the new Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black Emirates Team New Zealand Edition ($13,300), as it vies to keep the trophy in Kiwi hands.
The 45.5-mm CoAxial Master Chronometer chronograph combines a deep-black, brushed ceramic case and dial with pops of bright turquoise in a nod to the the logo. After dark, key markers light up in bright green and blue for maximum visibility.
In addition to dive features, such as a unidirectional rotating bezel with a dive scale and a helium release valve, there’s a five-minute regatta countdown indicator at 3 o’clock. The central seconds chronograph hand counterweight depicts the Cup.
Water resistant down to 600 meters/2,000 feet, the piece is fitted with the brand’s Naiad Lock case back emblazoned with the team logo with its turquoise fern frond. Inside, beats Omega’s Master Chronometer Calibre 9900 with a 60-hour power reserve.
Among the challengers is the Italian Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team, sponsored by Panerai. This spring, the brand unveiled an entire Luna Rossa-themed capsule collection, drawing inspiration from the technologies and materials used in the race.
One debut is the 44-mm Submersible QuarantaQuattro Luna Rossa Ti-Ceramitech ($16,600), with the case and unidirectional rotating bezel made from a novel high-performance material. A titanium ceramization process transforms the titanium alloy surface into a dense ceramic layer to achieve its distinctive blue hue. The technique also significantly enhances hardness and makes the material 10 times more fracture resistant compared with traditional ceramic, all while weighing in at 44 percent less than steel.
The dive watch is water resistant down to 50 bar/500 meters and is powered by the automatic P.900 movement that generates a three-day power reserve through its bidirectional oscillating weight.
We like the cut of its jib.
