Vanity Fair UK - 10.2019

that myriad watch brands have been involved with the race—now
in its 36th edition—launching numerous watches in its name. The
race involves a defending team racing against a challenger team
and as it is now standard to have more than one challenger, there
is a preliminary competition to decide on the final opposing team.
Since 1983, the main sponsor for this selection has been Louis
Vuitton, with teams competing to take on the defender in the
Louis Vuitton Challenger’s Trophy. Since opening its Swiss watch
manufacture in 2003, Louis Vuitton has introduced a range of
timepieces linked to the regattas that bear its name, both in the
form of its signature Tambour watch and patented Spin Time,
each featuring the essential countdown function.
I n t he m id-Nou g ht ies , Gi ra rd-Per regau x tea med up w it h BM W
Oracle Racing and introduced a number of celebratory timepieces
including the Laureato USA 98, named after the team’s new boat,
the USA 98. This was a chronograph, produced in several versions,
with a 10-minute regatta scale on the outer edge. While partnering
with double Cup-winning team Alinghi, Audemars Piguet
created the coveted Royal Oak Offshore Alinghi Polaris in 2005
and, in 2007, the Royal Oak Offshore Alinghi Team Chronograph,
including a version that was the first timepiece with a case and
bezel made from Forged Carbon ®.
In 2012, TAG Heuer introduced the limited edition Aquaracer
500m Calibre 72 Countdown Automatic Chronograph 43mm,
co-designed by America’s Cup defenders, Oracle Team USA.
Made for extreme conditions, it featured the official Team USA
logo on the dial as well as an AC72 yacht on its caseback. Ulysse
Nardin collaborated with Swedish challenger Artemis Racing
Team in 2015, utilising the national and team colours of yellow

and blue on its limited edition Diver Chronograph Artemis

Racing watch. Zenith increased its connections with Land Rover

by becoming the Official Timing Partner of Land Rover BAR,

Great Britain’s challenger team in 2016, creating the El Primero

45mm Sport Land Rover BAR Edition chronograph to celebrate.

British brand Bremont was Official Timing Partner for the Louis

Vuitton America’s Cup, as well as for Oracle Team USA in 2016,

leading to the creation of its America’s Cup collection.

The two watch brands currently competing for America’s Cup

success in 2021 are Panerai and Omega. Self-titled “King of the

Sea” Panerai is a long-time sponsor of classic yacht regattas and

even lays claim to its own classic Fife ketch Eilean. In 2017, the

brand became the Official Watch of the defending Oracle Team

USA, as well as of challenger Softbank Team Japan. For the latest

edition of the Cup, it has joined forces with the Italian Luna Rossa,

with the team wearing the Submersible Luna Rossa 47mm diving

watch with a GMT function, but no countdown feature.

As with many of the brand’s partnerships, Omega’s connection

with Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ) is long, dating back

to 1995. The 35th edition of the America’s Cup saw the brand

launch two timepieces—the analogue/digital Speedmaster X-33

Regatta ETNZ Limited Edition with five-minute countdown,

worn by the crew, as well as the Seamaster Planet Ocean ETNZ

“Deep Black” Master Chronometer, which featured a diving scale

that focuses on the race’s 15-minute countdown.

BEYOND THE CUP

Unsurprisingly, the maker of the original waterproof wristwatch,

Rolex, has decades-long connections with the sea that include

LOUIS VUITTON

Tambour Regatta

Navy 44

BREITLING

Exospace B55

Yachting

CORUM

Admiral AC-One

45 Tides RICHARD MILLE RM 60-01 Regatta

Automatic Chronograph

AUTUMN 2019 VANITY FAIR ON TIME 49