ROLEX AND YACHTING THE CROWN IN SAILING ROLEX AND YACHTING For more than 60 years, Rolex has forged a privileged relationship with yachting out of a natural affinity with this dynamic nautical sport and its time-honoured values. Today Rolex is the committed partner of the most prestigious yacht clubs, institutions and regattas in the world, sharing the highest standards of excellence with the custodians of yachting’s finest spirit. From the very beginning in 1905, Rolex founder Rolex naturally became associated with activities with influential yacht clubs across the globe, Hans Wilsdorf set out to make wristwatches that shared its excellence, precision and team where sailing enthusiasts rub shoulders with that would suit the increasingly active and sport- spirit. The brand gravitated toward the elite world hard-core racers and elite skippers. A dozen ing lifestyles of the modern world. Nine years of yachting, forming a first alliance in the late 1950s clubs now anchor a series of partnerships which later, in 1914, Rolex brought the then unrivalled with the New York Yacht Club (NYYC), founder give Rolex title sponsorship of about 15 major and observatory-certified precision of the marine of the America’s Cup and a creative influence on races in the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the chronometer clock, a vital navigational instru- the sport of yachting and its rules. These included Pacific basin. This circuit ranges from leading ment, to the wristwatch for the first time. By the advent of “one-design” racing which allowed offshore classics, including the Rolex Sydney 1926, Rolex had invented the world’s first water- the skill of the crew to make all the difference. Hobart Yacht Race and the Rolex Fastnet Race proof wristwatch, the Oyster, and, in 1931, the Over time, this principle led to advanced competi- – which test Corinthian (non-professional) and first wristwatch self-winding system with a free tions such as the highly competitive SailGP global professional crews to their limits – through the rotor, called the Perpetual. These patented innov- championship raced in matched 50-foot foiling cata- powerful action of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup to ations and landmarks in watchmaking formed marans and the Rolex TP52 World Championship, the pageantry of the glamorous Rolex Giraglia. the foundations for today’s Oyster Perpetual sailed in near-identical 52-foot monohulls. Yacht-Master and Yacht- Master II. Rolex used Rolex’s dedicated yachting time pieces, the the world as a real-life proving ground for the YACHT CLUB TIES The seminal partnership with Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master and the Oyster, demonstrating time and again its reli- the NYYC shaped Rolex’s involvement in the Yacht-Master II, a regatta chronograph with an ability in the most extreme conditions, at sea, in sport. Yachting is steeped in tradition, nurtures innovative mechanical countdown timer, are the depths of the ocean, on land, in the air and a spirit of fair play and thrives on a congen- imbued with the rich heritage and experience of on the tallest peaks. By being associated with so ial atmosphere. Yet, racing is also fiercely sailing’s elite, as well as the elegance, perform- many achievements, Rolex watches established competitive and tech nical, demanding mastery, ance and innov ation of Rolex watchmaking. They themselves as a trusted reference. Waterproof, split-second precision, re sili ence and the finest reward the very best in yachting competition and robust and accur ate, Rolex Oyster Perpetual teamwork. For more than six decades, Rolex symbolize the enduring bond between Rolex and chronometers are uniquely suited to life at the has harnessed the passion for yachting and the maritime world. helm. its popularity by establishing deep-rooted ties ROLEX YACHTING PRESS KIT ROLEX AND YACHTING 2 INTERACTIVE DOCUMENT 01 02 03 04 HERITAGE YACHT CLUBS AND ROLEX AND REGATTAS TESTIMONEES WATCHES GLOSSARY P04 P29 P38 P44 01 YACHT CLUBS AND REGATTAS P05 INTRODUCTION P06 WORLD MAP OF ROLEX PARTNERSHIPS P07 CLUBS AND REGATTAS 4 YACHT CLUBS AND REGATTAS Rolex’s involvement in yachting revolves around a privileged alliance with the very core of the sport: select yacht clubs that organize exceptional regattas and races, and its governing body. Through its partnerships with the prime movers organize such events have been the torchbearers behind the sport, Rolex has helped develop and of the sport for over a century. Each club is promote some of the world’s leading yachting defined by its unique location and tradition, events; events where owners and sailors are while sharing common values of profession- assured of fair competitive racing as well as alism and fair play, and nurturing camaraderie convivial social occasions ashore. Rolex re gattas and community. The keeping of time is a fun- form a natural calendar, allowing crews and damental element of yacht racing. Whether it is yachts to travel between them reassured that to determine the exact moment a race starts or the Rolex association is a seal of authenticity. It the eventual winner under handicap or compen- is a guarantee that both on and off the water the sated time, the rotation of crew on a long race, race or regatta will be organized with the compet- the choreography of a particular man oeuvre, sail itors’ best interests at heart. Whether spanning choice or navigation, time runs through the sport. 600 nautical miles (about 1,000 kilometres) or The coveted prize at all Rolex yachting events is more offshore, or involving an intensely competi- a specially engraved Rolex timepiece; a symbol tive inshore race series, yachting competitions of success that marks out the winners as hav- are complex and rely upon meticulous prepar- ing accomplished something remarkable in their ation and attention to detail. The yacht clubs that chosen sport. ROLEX YACHTING PRESS KIT YACHT CLUBS AND REGATTAS 5 YACHT CLUB ROYAL OCEAN YACHT ITALIANO RACING CLUB CLUB DE Genoa London MONACO Rolex Rolex Fastnet Race Monte Carlo Giraglia NEW YORK ROYAL YACHT SOCIÉTÉ ST. FRANCIS YACHT CLUB SQUADRON NAUTIQUE DE New York / Newport YACHT CLUB Cowes SAINT-TROPEZ ROYAL MALTA San Francisco Rolex New York Saint-Tropez YACHT CLUB Rolex Big Boat Yacht Club Les Voiles Ta’ Xbiex Invitational Cup Series de Saint-Tropez Rolex Middle Sea Race ROYAL HONG KONG YACHT CLUB YACHT CLUB Hong Kong YACHT CLUB COSTA SMERALDA COSTA SMERALDA Porto Cervo Rolex China Sea Race Virgin Gorda Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup Rolex Swan Cup CRUISING YACHT CLUB YACHT CLUB ARGENTINO OF AUSTRALIA Buenos Aires Sydney Rolex Circuito Rolex Sydney Hobart Atlántico Sur Yacht Race THE ROLEX MAP OF CLUBS AND REGATTAS ROLEX YACHTING PRESS KIT YACHT CLUBS AND REGATTAS 6 CRUISING YACHT CLUB ROLEX SYDNEY HOBART YACHT RACE OF AUSTRALIA DISTANCE The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is one of 628 nm (1,163 km) the toughest tests of sailing ability. Run every Sydney – Hobart, Tasmania year since 1945, its popularity is immense: the (Australia) challenging seas off southeastern Australia, the diverse fleet and the distinctive slot in the inter- FOUNDED national sporting calendar between Christmas 1945 and New Year have fuelled the le gend of one of ROLEX the world’s top offshore races. The race start on PARTNERSHIP 26 December brings hundreds of thousands of since 2002 people to line the shores of Sydney harbour, or watch from the water as well as live on television DATE Annual, and over the internet. The Rolex Sydney Hobart 26-31 December transcends sailing’s perceived boundaries. It FOUNDED 1944 LOCATED Rushcutters Bay, Sydney (Australia) MEMBERSHIP 3,075 Established in 1944, the CYCA was originally founded by a handful of adventurous cruising enthusiasts whose sailing ambitions lay beyond the confines of Sydney Harbour. The club’s des- tiny changed in 1945 when it asked British Navy Captain John Illingworth to speak to the mem- bers. During the evening Illingworth was invited to take part in a Christmas cruise to Hobart, some 628 nautical miles (1,163 km) away on the island of Tasmania. “I will, if you make a race of it,” he replied. The eagerness of the response was typical of the bold spirit of the CYCA’s founding fathers. In this defining moment the legendary Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race was born. Dur- ing the subsequent 75 years, the club used the platform formed by the race’s growing interna- tional recognition to build a global reputation for excellence in race management and safety at sea. ROLEX YACHTING PRESS KIT YACHT CLUBS AND REGATTAS 7 6,260 attracts politicians, business leaders, sporting “It’s not just a race. Sydney YACHTS heroes and the cream of professional sailing tal- have started ent. And yet, true to its origins, the core of the the race It’s really a human endeavour.” fleet is still composed of Corinthian competitors who value the challenge and endeavour above all SEAN LANGMAN, emblematic 1,036 YACHTS else. Rolex has partnered this race since 2002. Rolex Sydney Hobart participant have either retired or been disqualified THE COURSE The 628-nautical mile (1,163 km) Rolex Sydney Hobart course takes the fleet RECORD BREAKING down the New South Wales coast of the Tasman THROUGH THE AGES Sea and across Bass Strait, down the east coast AUSTRALIA LDV COMANCHE AUS of Tasmania, turning into Storm Bay for the final 1 day 9hrs 15'24" 2017 leg up the Derwent River to Hobart, the capital city of Tasmania. For the fastest boats, the race PERPETUAL LOYAL AUS Green Cape 1 day 13hrs 31'20" 2016 typically takes two days, whereas most of the fleet can expect four to five days at sea. Weather WILD OATS XI AUS and sea conditions can vary dramatically and are 1 day 18hrs 23'12" 2012 often punishing.