One of the first orders of business after the agreement between Officine Panerai and Luna Rossa Challenge, the Italian sailing team that is first to challenge the defender of the America’s Cup 2021 was to ensure that the Official Timepieces would strictly adhere to the racing colors of the team. When the first watch as Official Sponsor was unveiled, there was no doubt that the Panerai Luminor Luna Rossa was an embodiment of the shared technical innovation and passion for creativity and excellence that watchmaking company and racing team both pursued.
As a follow up to the 47mm carbon fiber cased Luminor Submersible Luna Rossa, Panerai presents the dual timezone Luminor Luna Rossa GMT in a 44mm Titanium with all black DLC coating that made from a special carbon-based DLC for an increased degree of water resistance. Titanium also provides for extreme lightness, ruggedness and even hypoallergenic properties important to a grueling life at sea (as Official Sponsor, these timepieces are expected to be worn by the sailing crew when they battle New Zealand next year). Water resistant to 300 meters, the Luna Rossa GMT is powered by the Calibre P.9010/GMT in house movement with its dual barrels storing enough energy for 3 days. A GMT function that can easily and rapidly be changed while under sailing conditions was an important addition as the Luna Rossa (both yacht and watch) would be crossing timezones aplenty in their work up to the 36th America’s Cup.
Further adding distinct touches to this special watch is the use of a thin layer of fabric used in the monohull of the Luna Rossa itself covering the dial where a special inscription can also be found and on the caseback, an engraving of Luna Rossa (AC75) monohull and the America’s Cup Trophy to boot.
