Back to previous page    Language

Panerai and Luna Rossa unveil two new Luminor watches ahead of the America’s Cup in Naples

Panerai unveils two new Luminor Luna Rossa watches inspired by the Italian team’s journey towards the 2027 America’s Cup

Chronograph and GMT functions meet Italian sailing style in Panerai’s latest watches dedicated to Luna Rossa

The time of a sailing race is not measured only when the chronograph stops. It exists in the build-up to the start, in sudden wind shifts, in rapid accelerations and in decisions made within fractions of a second. This technical yet deeply emotional dimension provides the setting for the latest chapter in the partnership between Panerai and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli.

Ahead of the 38th America’s Cup, scheduled to take place in Naples in 2027, the watchmaker has introduced two interpretations of its unmistakable Luminor design, the Luminor Luna Rossa Chrono PAM01768 and the Luminor Luna Rossa GMT PAM01791. They share the sporting identity of the Italian sailing team while expressing two distinctly different ways of experiencing life by the sea.

A partnership shaped by the sea

The relationship between Panerai and Luna Rossa began in 2019, but it has developed into something more substantial than a conventional sporting sponsorship. The two organisations share an Italian approach to design, a focus on performance and a close connection with environments where precision and reliability are fundamental.

These new watches bring those values to the wrist without attempting to reproduce the racing yacht literally. Their connection with Luna Rossa is communicated through a silver, white and red colour scheme, navigation-related functions and carefully considered visual references to the team preparing for the next America’s Cup.

The Luminor Luna Rossa Chrono captures the energy of speed

The Luminor Luna Rossa Chrono PAM01768 is the more competition-focused of the two models. Its 44-millimetre brushed steel case is paired with a polished bezel and Panerai’s signature crown-protection bridge, ensuring that its Luminor identity remains immediately recognisable.

The silver sun-brushed dial is brought to life by red accents inspired by the Italian team. Textured chronograph counters add depth, while the numerals and hour markers feature white Super-LumiNova X2 to maintain clear visibility as natural light begins to fade.

A chronograph with a genuine sailing purpose

A tachymeter scale allows the wearer to calculate average speed over a predetermined distance. Rather than serving as a purely decorative reference to yacht racing, the feature reflects an environment in which time, speed and distance are constantly connected.

The chronograph is powered by the automatic P.9210 calibre, which provides a power reserve of 42 hours. Its elastic Velcro strap features a central red stripe and reinforces the watch’s technical character, while an additional black rubber strap offers an alternative appearance. Production is limited to 500 individually numbered pieces.

The GMT follows Luna Rossa across different horizons

The Luminor Luna Rossa GMT PAM01791 presents a more versatile expression of the partnership. Its steel case measures 40 millimetres, preserving the strong proportions associated with the Luminor while creating a more compact watch suited to everyday wear.

Its GMT function displays a second time zone, a natural choice for a sailing team that moves between training bases, technical programmes and international events. The dedicated red hand is shaped to recall the Luna Rossa sail, turning a functional component into a subtle tribute to the racing yacht.

The first metal bracelet in the Luna Rossa collection

The PAM01791 also introduces a first for a Panerai Luna Rossa watch, a steel bracelet. This gives the model a broader identity, moving it beyond the conventional image of a regatta instrument and making it equally comfortable in a marina, a city or a more formal setting.

Inside is the automatic P.900/GMT calibre, visible through the open caseback and offering a three-day power reserve. A date display at three o’clock and small seconds at nine complete a balanced dial on which the nautical references remain distinctive without becoming excessive.

Two interpretations of the same challenge

The Chrono and the GMT do not appear to be competing for the same role. The first brings the intensity of racing to the wrist through its substantial case, chronograph, tachymeter and limited production. The second creates a continuous link between travel, sport and everyday life through its smaller proportions, second time zone and newly introduced metal bracelet.

Both models are water-resistant to 100 metres and use the familiar architecture of the Luminor to express their connection with Luna Rossa. Choosing between them is therefore less about identifying the superior watch and more about deciding how time should be experienced, as a performance to measure or as a distance to cross.

Naples becomes part of the countdown

The next America’s Cup will bring one of international sailing’s most compelling and technologically advanced competitions to Naples. Against this backdrop, the new Luminor models become part of a wider story combining Italian design, maritime culture and technical innovation.

Panerai approaches the event with two watches that do more than carry the colours of Luna Rossa. They interpret the team’s character through preparation, design ambition and attention to every fraction of time. When racing close to the limit, after all, a single second can alter the course of the story.

__
www.panerai.com

18 July 2026
© MED Yachting Editorial Team
Panerai and Luna Rossa unveil two new Luminor watches ahead of the America’s Cup in Naples
__
The information in this article has been sourced from and adapted from official sources and/or press releases, in accordance with our editorial code of ethics.