Last week the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, sponsored by Officine Panerai, kicked off the Classic Yachts Challenge 2009 series. What does an Italian watchmaker and yachting have to do with each other? For one, more than just luxury. The company has been the official supplier of timepieces for the Italian Royal Navy since the late 19th century and in 1938 developed the first watertight, underwater watch. Now an internationally sold commercial company, Panerai's diving watches are the ultimate boating accessory.
Panerai's CEO, Angelo Bonati, is personally involved with yachting and sailing. I recently spoke with Bonati for an upcoming article in Whitewall's summer issue (out in June). When I asked what some of his passions were, aside from watchmaking and design, he immediately answered "My passion is sailing." Indeed, even the newly opened Panerai boutique in New York has a nautical design aesthetic.
The four days of racing (ending on April 22nd) provided idyllic yachting conditions, as one would expect for springtime in the Caribbean. If you weren't able to make it to Antigua, not to worry, Panerai has a whole slew of yachting events this year to check out.
[caption id="attachment_2055" align="alignnone" width="462" caption="Panerai's Luminor 1950 Regatta Rattrapante, awarded to winners of the race."][/caption]
