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Return of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2009
By WatchPro | May 8, 2009
The Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge, an international regatta circuit for vintage and classic sailing boats, celebrates its 5th anniversary. Like previous years, the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge takes place in the most prestigious yachting places in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic ocean and is sponsored by Officine Panerai. The world of sailing and vintage yachts has a close connection with the values of the watchmaking company, which has nurtured a passion for the sea for more than a century. Officine Panerai has supplied the Italian Royal Navy with chronometers, mechanical calculators, sighting devices, depth gauges, and compasses since the second half of the 19th century. In 1938 the company developed the first water-resistant watch, employed by elite teams of Italian marine commandos.
The Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2009 is held from April till September and consists of seven regattas, taking place on the French Riviera, in Sardinia, Antigua, Nantucket and Newport. The event is a wonderful opportunity to see the most beautiful classic yachts and to go a few centuries back in time in imagination. Overall, about 350 vintage and classic yachts, having a crew of 1500 members, will participate in the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge. Vintage yachts are those built of wood or metal, launched before 1950 and having the same original design. The yachts built of wood or metal and launched between 1950 and 1975 are called classic.
The winners of each stage in the Vintage and Classic categories will receive a watch, specially created by Officine Panerai for this occasion in limited edition of 500 pieces. The chronograph given as award this year is the Luminor 1950 Regatta Rattrapante 44mm DLC watch. This split-seconds chronograph, featuring the characteristic cushion-shaped Luminor case in stainless steel, was specially created for yachtsmen. To emphasize the connection between the Luminor 1950 Regatta Rattrapante and the world of the sea and yachts, the chronograph seconds hand and the marking of the first five minutes (the most important in a yacht regatta) on the minute counter were painted blue. The winning crews will receive the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge Trophy watch, which will be awarded in Cannes after the final race.
The Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge Circuit is organized by Officine Panerai in cooperation with the Italian Association of Vintage Yachts and the International Mediterranean Committee. Panerai Officina also sponsors Antigua Classic Week. The interest of the company in yachting is probably related with the passion for the sea of its head, Angelo Bonati. Being a child, he was fascinated by the sea, sailing yachts and watches. The man who has created one of the great success stories in the watch industry over the past quarter-century believes that “like a watch in the face of time, a yacht confronted with such vast and powerful elements as the wind and waves can exist only as a product of the finest human intellect.”
The quality Panerai replica watches of the creations of the best watchmakers’ intellect are available on our site. They combine low price, quality materials, reliable movement and the design developed by experts in fine watchmaking.
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