Senses of Time: Panerai’s O’Clock—Time Design, Design Time Exhibition

Damien-Hirst Beautiful Sunflower Panerai Painting

While watchmakers use technical creativity to measure time, artists and designers recently sought to creatively interpret time at O’Clock—time design, design time, a Panerai-sponsored exhibition that runs through January 8, 2012, at the Triennale Design Museum in Milan, Italy. At the exhibit’s opening on October 11, Panerai’s CEO Angelo Bonati spoke about the importance of design in watchmaking and one of the stars of the show, English artist Damien Hirst. “He has always been an avid collector of our watches,” said Bonati, who took credit for suggesting the use of Panerai dials as a medium. Hirst obliged with two spin paintings: the large Beautiful Sunflower Panerai Painting and a zoomlike version on the same theme, Beautiful Fractional Sunflower Panerai Painting. For both pieces, Hirst adhered dozens of varied Panerai dials without hands to the psychedelically painted canvases in a vibrant expression that conveys a sense of time flowing by.

Come, Sail Away!: Panerai’s Classic Yachts Challenge

Museum of Yachting Classic Yacht Regatta

As today’s America’s Cup carbon fiber speed demons embody state of the art marine technology, classic wooden yachts hearken to a more genteel, nostalgic era of sailing. Each April, devotees of elegant wooden boats converge on Antigua in the Caribbean to indulge their passion for sailing’s more romantic side at the annual Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, sponsored by Panerai watches. This year’s event drew about 60 competing boats from all over the world, classified as Vintage (launched before 1950), Classic (built between 1950 and 1975), and Spirit of Tradition (modern boats built with classic styling).