Panerai's Bosphorus Breakthrough

The brand’s vintage yacht Eilean ports at Istanbul for the first time carrying precious new bounty from the iconic Radiomir line.

- CHE KURRIEN

It was Friday night in Istanbul. Chill House beats wafted across the bobbing waters of the Bosphorus. The bars in the upscale Beşiktaş neighbourhood were throbbing. Immaculately coiffed patrons lit up inside the smoke-filled restaurants, others spilled out onto the pavement in deep conversation-all enveloped by the heady vibe emanating from this historic imperial megacity. I was drawing on a shisha at the Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus when the call from the concierge came: The ferry was ready to take us across the water to the Asian side of the city for dinner at Çubuklu 29, one of the best spots in the city to take in the European shoreline from across the straits. This was the perfect setting for Panerai a luxury watch brand with a deep connection to the sea-to present its latest collection.

Panerai has its roots in Florence, and first gained recognition for supplying precision instruments to the Italian Navy in the 1930s. It was acquired by Vendôme Group-now Richemont-in 1997, and has since become a go-to brand for the international jet set, who summer at the beaches of Marbella, Cape Cod, and the Turkish Riviera. This community is known as the Paneristi-a global tribe of well-heeled loyalists drawn to the brand's stunning Italian design codes, Swiss horological savoir-faire and nautical heritage. The evening in Istanbul-a city known as the crossroads of the East and West-was infused with Italian elements, a nod to Panerai's provenance. The highlight was an impromptu operatic performance at the end of the night given by a trio of young waiters, while guests quaffed Tuscan wine and lit up Romeo y Julieta cigars.