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The Incredibly Stylish Watches of the America's Cup

Timing is everything.

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It is said that in August of 1851, upon watching the schooner "America" win the Royal Yacht Squadron 100 Pound Cup at the America's Cup, Queen Victoria inquired as to which boat came in second place—to which the reply was simply, "Your Majesty, there is no second." And so the demand for excellence began, inspiring tycoons, corporations, luxury goods companies, and world-class athletes to compete for top honors—and the oldest and most prestigious trophy in international sports.

The race itself has more in common with aeronautics or even Formula 1 than traditional water sports; these catamarans are more like rocket ships with breathtaking liftoffs at speeds of up to 50 knots (that's about 58 mph for you landlubbers). This year, five teams—from Japan, Great Britain, France, New Zealand, and Sweden—are looking to unseat tech billionaire (and defending champion) Larry Ellison's Oracle Team USA in Bermuda from May 26 to June 27.

Incredible technology goes into achieving these remarkable results—boats feature advanced elements like carbon fiber hulls, rigid wing sails, and high-tech computer and hydraulic systems that help them reach record-breaking speeds—and the watches worn by many of the boats' operators are no less impressive. These timepieces, beloved by both America's Cup enthusiasts and watch collectors, are rare limited editions that often sell out faster than the race itself.

With America's Cup fever about to hit full force, here's a look at the best watches from the official timepiece of the 35th America's Cup, Panerai, as well as the overall race sponsor, Louis Vuitton, and individual watch brands representing the different teams.

Panerai

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America's Cup and Panerai, the official watch of the event and a brand known for its distinctive nautical history, make for a perfect match. A classic Panerai model redone as a 300-piece limited edition tribute to the America's Cup, this automatic Luminor Marina has a power reserve of three days and displays both the time and the date.

Luminor Marina 1950 America's Cup 3 Days Automatic Acciaio, 44mm ($8,100) by Panerai, panerai.com

Panerai

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Dedicated to the current titleholder, Oracle Team USA, the Luminor 1950 Flyback Chronograph is handsome in distinctive black ceramic. The innovative synthetic ceramic material is incredibly durable and lightweight, as well as water-resistant to 100 meters. It also features a display that includes the hours, minutes, small seconds, flyback chronograph, and a seconds reset.

Luminor 1950 Oracle Team USA 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic Ceramica, 44mm ($15,300) by Panerai, panerai.com

Omega

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A limited edition of 2,017 pieces, the titanium Speedmaster X-33 is a fascinating mix of analog and digital functions. Different alarms represent the various regatta countdown timers, making for a sophisticated functionality that is remarkably modern and easy to use. The watch comes stamped with the Emirates Team New Zealand logo—currently leading in the World Series Finals—and engraved with "Challenger for the 35th America's Cup X-33 Regatta," as well as the unique edition number.

Speedmaster X-33 Regatta Emirates Team New Zealand Limited Edition ($5,900) by Omega, omegawatches.com

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Ulysse Nardin

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Created for Swedish team Artemis Racing, the Diver Chronograph is an ultra-limited edition model, with only 250 pieces made. Water-resistant to 200 meters, the steel and matte blue rubber combination reflects the look and feel of the catamaran itself, and features a logo appearing on both the strap and inside the 30-minute counter at 9 o'clock.

Diver Chronograph Artemis Racing ($10,800by Ulysse Nardin, ulysse-nardin.com

Ulysse Nardin

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With a depiction of the boat "Artemis" at full mast on its dial, the 35-piece limited edition Marine Regatta is a true sailor's watch. It features a fascinating 1-to-10 minute regatta countdown that instantly reverses direction when the indicator hits zero, and the self-winding stainless steel watch is also water-resistant to 100 meters.

Marine Chronograph Manufacture Regatta Limited Edition Champleve Enamel Dial ($29,800) by Ulysse Nardin, ulysse-nardin.com

Louis Vuitton

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On this sleek Chronograph, the America's Club logo is printed onto the strap itself in the signature colors of red, white, and blue. The automatic movement features a 42-hour power reserve, a date window between the 4 and 5 o'clock spots, and water resistance to 100 meters—perfect in case you find yourself having fallen overboard.

Tambour Navy Chronograph ($6,800) by Louis Vuitton, louisvuitton.com 

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Zenith

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Great Britain's Land Rover BAR (the company's team competing for the America's Cup title) continues its relationship with watch brand Zenith with a limited edition team version of the Chronomaster El Primero. The steel watch features a carbon fiber-coated rubber strap as a tribute to materials used on the catamaran; water resistant to 200 meters, the watch houses the El Primero 400 B automatic movement, a highly precise chronograph movement that's legendary in the watchmaking world.

Chronomaster El Primero Sport Land Rover Bar Team Edition ($8,100by Zenith, zenith-watches.com 

Bremont

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The former official timekeeper of the America's Cup, British watchmaker Bremont's chronograph offers a regatta countdown, among other time-telling features. The stainless steel watch is water-resistant to 100 meters and, with a limited edition of 135 pieces, it is sure to become a collectors' item.

AC-R-II ($7,095) by Bremont, bremont.com

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