Updated

The 36th America’s Cup was played out in Auckland, New Zealand showcasing fierce competition to the daily finish lines from Emirates Team New Zealand and the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team of Italy. And last March 17th, Emirates Team New Zealand scored the seventh point it needed to win and to bring the cup to New Zealand for the fourth time. It is the one of the world’s oldest sporting events dating back to 1851 when schooners competed for the title instead of the state of the art boats without a keel that are flying over the waters today. It is also one of the most exciting and has been won by only four countries since its inception. Omega has been a part of the excitement since 1995 when the brand supported the New Zealand team and its legendary skipper, Sir Peter Blake. The house became the Official Timekeeper for the America’s Cup in 2000 and 2003 and it is returning to this prestigious role once again in 2021.

Omega’s relationship with the sea goes back to 1932 when it created what would be the first commercially available diver’s watch. Seafaring legends would wear Omega watches including Jacques Cousteau and Jacques Mayol. To celebrate its role as Official Timekeeper, Omega has launched a precious timepiece that delivers extraordinary precision under pressure. With its new chronograph lock system, quick-change strap and water grip pushers, the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M America’s Cup Chronograph is a fitting tribute to the 36th America’s Cup which is being presented by the Italian house of Prada.

The 44mm stainless steel chronograph has a blue ceramic dial and bezel ring which features a white enamel diving scale and soft touch rubber pushers to get a better handle on the watch in high swells and which have been designed to work efficiently in the wet. Its wave-pattern dial includes a regatta indicator ring in red. This commemorative watch has the event and year clearly marked in bold on the case back and it is outfitted with a metal bracelet and additional rubber strap. The central seconds chronograph hand carries an America’s Cup on the counterweight.

The coveted prize for the race, dubbed Auld Mug, is the oldest trophy in international sport as the 27-inch high trophy in sterling silver is 170-years-old. It was first offered as the Hundred Guinea Cup on August 22nd, 1851 by the Royal Yacht Squadron of Great Britain for a race around the Isle of Wight, the trophy was renamed the America’s Cup as a tribute to the winning boat, America, a 100-foot schooner from New York. The race will unfold on Auckland’s Waitemata harbor and is around 1.7 nautical miles long (about 3 kilometers). The first team to score seven points wins the Auld mug and becomes the defender of the 37th America’s Cup.
©Trish Valicenti for The Gourmet Gazette
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