Global Luxury Fashion

Mariska, Rowdy and Chaplin win Les Voiles D’Antibes,
the first Mediterranean leg of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2010
 
Antibes, 6th June 2010 – After four days of regattas, the boats Mariska, Rowdy and Chaplin won in the “Big Boats”, “Vintage” and “Classic” categories respectively on the occasion of the 15th edition of Les Voiles d’Antibes. This was the first leg in the Mediterranean sea of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2010, the international circuit dedicated to vintage and classic yachting sponsored by the Florentine fine watch-making company Officine Panerai. The winners received a Radiomir Regatta 1/8th Second Titanio – 47 mm watch, specially created by Officine Panerai for this new season of regattas and produced in a series of just 500 pieces.
 
Mariska is an auric cutter from 1908, one of the few survivors of the “15-metre International tonnage” class. More accustomed to ascending to the highest step on the podium is Chaplin, the 16-metre Italian Navy vessel built in 1974, previously winner of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge in 2009 in the “Classic” category. Also the Marconi cutter Rowdy from 1916, one of the four NY-40 craft still sailing, had already won the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge in 2008 in the “Vintage” category.
 
The regattas that took place at the famous French resort on the Côte d’Azur saw the participation of 51 boats, split into seven categories. Starting on Thursday 3rd June and thanks to sunny days, summer temperatures and winds that never exceeded 12 knots, the boats were able to complete one regatta every day. The event was organized by the Yacht Club d’Antibes and the Club Nautique d’Antibes.
 
The glorious 12-Metre I.T. (International Tonnage) boats present, French Kiss, South Australia and Kookaburra III, the stars of past America’s Cup challenges, raced in a separate field. South Australia, having won all nine regattas scheduled, was awarded the final victory.
 
Also present in Antibes, though not participating in the regattas, was Eilean, the 22-metre Marconi ketch built by Scottish boatyard Fife in 1936. The boat, purchased in 2006 by Officine Panerai, made its official debut during one of the Panerai Classic Yacht Challenge events after undergoing a complete restoration at the Francesco Del Carlo boatyard in Viareggio, Tuscany. The two-mast yacht, as well as being one of the most admired boats on the quayside, sailed every day with representatives from the international press on board.

It is possible to speak about watches for a long time, if it is Panerai. Panerai cannot brag about the wide model line as many other leading watch manufacturers. But, it is more than compensated by a popularity that is pursuing Panerai watches all over the world. Secret of this popularity of the Panerai’s watches lies in that it is a watch with its unique “man” character. And, this character attracts. Remember that in the “Daylight” film Sylvester Stallone was wearing the Panerai watch (Panerai Luminor Marina). Arnold Schwarzenegger was acting in the “Eraser” with the Panerai. And Panerai watch can be observed on the hand of Jason Stratham in the “Transporter” and “Italian Job” films. So, we see that Panerai indeed is a choice of strong men.

 By all its appearance, the watch itself says: “I am for serious adventures, where reliability is of importance, where convenience is of worth and where one can rely only upon itself..” Panerai Submersible is like that. This automatic watch in a firm, massive case is provided with round dial having three sub-dials and a date-window. In spite of the presence of three sub-dials, all figures are written at their places. This is because dial has such an area that could make it possible to locate here at least two more sub-dials if such a necessity would occur.

Special attention is attracted by a rubber band on some PANERAI models (Submersible), where cherished letters of large size – “P A N E R A I” – are embossed. Advantage of the rubber band (in comparison with many leather stripes) consists in its increased elasticity permitting to make the wearing of quite massive watch more comfortable and less sensible for a wrist.

Wheel is provided with unique “protector” invented by the PANERAI Company, which presses it, thus eliminating possibility of accidental rotations of a wheel. Skeleton back shows the interior of this “watch terminator” – automatic movement.

Thus, it can be said with a confidence about Panerai Submersible ( as well as about each model of Panerai) that it is real watch for a real man, for whom watch is not just a decoration, but character of a warrior and fighter.