As of January 2017, Officine Panerai is an Official Partner of the 35th America’s Cup, the most celebrated and prestigious sailing race in the world. The partnership between Panerai and the America’s Cup is an example of this shared awareness, of this perfect balance between the past and the future. As part of this new partnership, Panerai released five new limited edition watches at the SIHH 2017 just a few weeks ago. While three of the watches are specific to the Oracle Team USA, one is generic to the 35th America's Cup, and the other supports the SoftBank Team Japan.

The new watches are: the Luminor Marina 1950 America’s Cup 3 Days Automatic PAM 727 with a 44 mm stainless steel case; the Luminor 1950 Oracle Team USA 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic Ceramica PAM 725 with a 44 mm black ceramic case; the Luminor 1950 Regatta Oracle Team USA 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic Titanio PAM 726 with a 47 mm titanium case; the Luminor Marina Oracle Team USA 8 Days PAM 724 with a 44 mm stainless steel case and the Luminor Marina 1950 SoftBank Team Japan 3 Days Automatic PAM 732 with a 44 mm stainless steel case. For this feature, we will only focus on the PAM 727 and the PAM 732.

While we understand that this could be seen as a natural extension of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge and the five new watches are indeed very nice looking, we think that this partnership is a little bit disconnected from the true essence of Panerai and their rooted history of diving watches designed and created for the commandos of the Italian Navy. Nevertheless, we think that the watches will do very well with customers that are not necessarily hardcore Panerai collectors. This right here is another interesting move by Panerai to broaden its customer base.

The Case, Dials & Straps

The new Panerai Luminor Marina 1950 America's Cup PAM 727 and the Luminor Marina 1950 SoftBank Team Japan PAM 732 are both equipped with 44 mm stainless steel cases and fitted with matte black sandwich dials with white superluminova, red seconds hands and 'America's Cup' writing in blue. From the front, the only way to differentiate both watches is actually the contrast stitching on its straps.

While the new Panerai Luminor Marina 1950 America's Cup 3 Days Automatic PAM 727 sports a black untreated calf strap with blue and red contrast stitching, the Panerai Luminor Marina 1950 Softbank Team Japan 3 Days Automatic PAM 732 features the same strap but with white contrast stitching and red stitching at the lugs. The straps are personalized with a heat-embossed America's Cup logo on both sides.

The Movement & Case Backs

Both watches are powered by the Panerai automatic calibre P.9010. This double-barrel movement composed of 200 parts and 31 jewels, provides a power reserve of 72 hours when fully wound, while beating at a frequency of 28,800 vph. The case backs feature the America's Cup and SoftBank Team Japan logos respectively.

On the Wrist & Pricing

On the wrist, the Panerai Luminor Marina 1950 America's Cup PAM 727 and the Panerai Luminor Marina 1950 SoftBank Team Japan PAM 732 wear true to their size and just like all other Panerais with this type of case construction. While we love the look of all new America's Cup watches, we are not sure many hardcore Paneristi will make a move on them. TheSoftBank Team Japan PAM 732 is available in a limited edition of 150 pieces and the America's Cup PAM 727 in a limited edition of 300 pieces.

Sticker Price $8,100 USD for either. For more info on Officine Panerai click here.