There was no Official Timekeeper at the 35th America’s Cup sailing race series in 2017, although Panerai certainly made a significant investment by making the challenge’s Official Watch. It was also the Official Watch of Team USA and of Softbank Team Japan.
The benefits of associating with the world’s most prestigious sailing race are clear for watch brands that want to reach the event’s wealthy participants and fans with watches showcasing their sporty, indestructible, accurate and historic timekeepers.
Horology was at the heart of man’s exploration of the world, with marine chronometers making accurate navigation possible, and it is this historic link that encouraged the likes of Bremont, Ulysse Nardin, Zenith, Omega and Louis Vuitton to make special watches to mark their partnerships with various America’s Cup teams three years’ ago.
Next year Omega will lord over them all as Official Timekeeper for the entire America’s Cup, as well as continuing with its partnership with Defender Emirates Team New Zealand, which will compete in its home country.
“The America’s Cup has a truly special place within the Omega brand. From ingenuity and precision, through to the competitive energy and history, every part of it appeals to our spirit. We’re very excited about our role next March and also for the chance to be on-board with Emirates Team New Zealand once again,” says Omega president and CEO Raynald Aeschlimann.
To mark its unveiling as Official Timekeeper, Omega has released a special watch, the Seamaster Planet Ocean 36th America’s Cup Limited Edition.
It has a white polished ceramic dial with America’s Cup at 6 o’clock, on a counterweight of the central seconds hand and on a crystal case back through which Omega’s Master Chronometer Calibre 8900 can be seen.
It has a blue ceramic diving bezel, which incorporates white and red liquid ceramic to create a 5-minute countdown for racing.
The sporty 43.5mm steel timepiece comes in a limited edition of just 2,021 pieces world-wide.
It is on sale now at Omegawatches.com for £5,650.
