Workers are investing more in a home-office experience, whether it’s for a day at the back end of the week, or a wholesale abandonment of the traditional workspace.

To give you an indication, nearly 3.5 million Australians worked remotely in 2016, compared to just under a million in 2001. However, getting the work done from your favourite beanbag isn’t much of an excuse to loaf about in a singlet, trackies, and a filthy socks-and-slides combo.

Minion, you’re still on the clock and you still likely represent a company and the standards it expects from its employees.

Here’s how to dress well for business. At home.

The Art Of Dressing Well Without Dressing Up

Say what you will about suits, but there are some data to suggest that putting a bit of effort pays off, even when you’re working from home and can do your own thing.

A 2007 study on a group of professionals revealed that they felt most ‘authoritative, competent, and trustworthy’ when dressing formally. The corporate uniform made them feel like they were worth their paycheck and likely to succeed – and self-perception is everything, right?

A 2012 study also discovered a positive relationship between clothing choice and cognition. Wearing garments of symbolic importance (a doctor’s lab coat, in this example) enhanced one’s cognitive performance in several areas.

We might need more data to suggest that this applies to your work wardrobe, but it shows that clothing can impact the functions of the brain.

Finally, a 2014 study found that formally-dressed participants achieved more profitable outcomes in negotiation exercises, compared to their peers that dressed less Harvey Specter, and more off-duty dad on Sunday.

Fancy clothes also had a hormonal impact; the suited and booted chaps demonstrated higher testosterone levels.

Sure, three studies do not mean scientific consensus. But they offer important hints that dressing well can benefit you, and as a result, we think it’s something you should keep in mind once your boss finally caves in and lets you work from the comfort of your own home.

Remember, You Are Still On The Clock!

Besides science, working from home doesn’t mean that you remain unseen. Clients might have concerns that can’t be resolved over the phone, lunch meetings still happen, and you might interview candidates if you have hiring responsibilities.

Moreover, video conferencing has become an essential component of modern business.

Even if your work station is a set of cushions, you’ll be on Skype sooner rather than later. Your boss will need to check in, and those snore-fest boardroom meetings still need to happen in some capacity.

Like it or not, no one wants to see grainy footage of a guy in a bathrobe forecasting trends and business trajectories. If they’re in Brioni, and you’re in the Kmart activewear range, you will cultivate a lasting impression – and not a good one.

You don’t want to look like the guy that left his drive in the office.

Define Work-Life Separation

Working from home and setting your own work hours is liberating. But work is still work, and boundaries need to be set. Wearing professional clothing during your ‘shift’ can help you separate your working life from your personal (and hopefully much more interesting) life.

It’s about marking clear lines between when you’re on company time, and when it’s time to fire up Halo 3 and scoff Tim Tams. No one wants to feel like the workday never ends, or that their professional life invades their living space. Balance is essential. Maintaining some semblance of a uniform can give you a visual identifier that work is work, and fun is fun.

Smart Casual 101

Chucked out your suits and never looked back? This outfit is ideal if you have fewer client-facing responsibilities and want an achievable compromise between style and comfort. You might work in the creative professions, run a sole trader enterprise, or simply no longer have need for a suit and tie.

This is based on quality, tailored basics (which you can find here). Start with tailored sweatpants, dress sneakers, and a plain merino rollneck or open neck button-down. The last one will depend on climate and how far you think you can push the casual end of things.

If you’re a slack bastard that’s determined to keep things as casual as possible, sub the shirt for a fitted tee.

Short-Sleeve Business Casual

Our next pick is a step above informality and a step above in effort. This outfit is based around corporate staples that have been dressed down just a little. Less face-to-face work? Bin the tie. Fewer meetings with the CEO? Swap the long sleeve business shirt for a short-sleeve chambray or oxford.

This is the outfit where a change of clothes isn’t mandatory, should you be required to leave your home desk or jump on a video conference call.

Best of all, it’s conveniently transitional for slacking off at your desk, to slacking off at the bar at the end of the week.

Smart Casual Cardigan

This outfit takes a smart casual office look and turns it around with a cardigan replacing the blazer. It’s suited to the colder months where a suit or blazer is overkill, but some degree of formality is expected.

Because you’re at home and things are a little more relaxed, you can incorporate a few concessions to comfort: a knitted tie over a schmick silk one, chinos instead of formal wool pants, a rollneck to replace a shirt, and sneakers instead of a derby or oxford.

The Short Suit

The infamous ‘short suit’ still generates a fair bit of controversy and finger-wagging, but some of us have to log hours in summer.

You’d need to be in a more progressive working culture to pull this off, but it brings enough formality to a video conference or client meeting without any major sacrifice to comfort.

If you’re cranking the electricity bill to keep cool, bench the heavier Egyptian cotton shirts for chambray or linen, and drop the pure silk tie for a cotton-silk blend to dress things down.

Your shorts should be tailored – side adjusters, slim profile – but not skin tight, especially if you have the odd meeting to attend.

The post What To Wear When You’re Working From Home appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The human body is one of the most complex machines on the planet. It’s strange to think that, as a species, we’ve achieved miracles of science like going to the moon, yet we still don’t fully understand our own bodies.If the human body is a machine, then the food we put in it is fuel. Just as putting low-octane fuel in a car isn’t going to get the best results, you need to put the premium stuff in your body if you want to get the best out of it. That’s a reasonably straightforward idea: what’s more complicated is the supplement debate. How much is too much? Should we even be bothering with supplements at all?It’s a discussion worth having, particularly in Australia. We’re some of the biggest per-capita spenders on vitamins and supplements in the world, with a 2017 Four Corners report relating that “what a lot of Australian families have is very expensive urine”. The consensus seems to have swung the other way with many health experts suggesting we ditch supplements all together… So to hear one of the Internet’s most outspoken nutrition experts talking about supplements – albeit in a very measured, scientific way – comes as a huge surprise.Science writer and Instagram health warrior Max Lugavere recently invited Charles Brenner, a well-regarded biochemist and academic who has dedicated his career to discuss NAD+ metabolism, onto his podcast. We’ll let them hash it out because they can do a far better job of explaining how it all works.

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Confused? So are we. But let’s break it down.Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, or NAD, is a chemical compound found in all living things, and an important cofactor central to metabolism. It exists in two main forms: an oxidized and reduced form which abbreviated as NAD+ and NADH (H for hydrogen) respectively. It’s NAD+ that Lugavere and Brenner are preoccupied with, in their discussion.While NAD is abundant in the food that we eat, your body can’t readily access it. Basically, your body has to break the NAD down into its constituent parts and then reassemble it again. This is where supplements come in: supplements can provide more readily bioavailable NAD, which could be the secret to more energy, it is claimed. The key, apparently, is balancing supplement usage with a healthy, whole foods-based diet.…Okay, we might actually be more confused than we were when we started. Just listen to the podcast. And as always: consult a medical professional before making any major changes to your diet.

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The post This Simple Nutrition Hack Could Be Your Ticket To Extra 'Cellular Energy'…But Is It Worth It? appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Last year an HSC question sparked a war of wands between the nation’s baristas.Besides the chocolate sprinkles, what’s the difference between a cappuccino and a flat white? The question has prompted debate among bean burners all around the country.“Students taking a Hospitality Food and Beverage exam… were asked to assess a diagram of two different caffeinated drinks and correctly name the coffee,” The Morning Bulletin reported.

“The first diagram showed a cup with espresso and hot water, topped with a small amount of crema which everyone agreed was ‘obviously a long black.'”

But the second drink, which showed a cup that had espresso, crema, steamed milk and foam, had experts divided.RELATED: Cappuccino Drinkers Are Killing Australia’s Coffee CultureAustralian Specialty Coffee Association president Kieran Westlake told The Daily Telegraph that based on local coffee culture the drink would be a flat white – but elsewhere it could easily be classed as a cappuccino.However, other baristas said the right answer was ‘cappuccino,’ because a flat white wouldn’t have foam.The debate ignited online, with internet commenters fanning the flames.One wrote: “It’s a flat white. The layer of steamed milk is not foam. The foam layer on top is very thin (flat)… The foam layer for a latte or cappuccino should be about 10mm.”

“If someone served me that and I had asked for a cappuccino I’d send it back.”

Australian barista champion Matthew Lewin told DMARGE: “It’s an interesting proposition. I assume inferring the ‘chocolate sprinkles’ on top is the difference here compared to the rest of the world?”“Cappuccino originated in Italy, named after monks with their robes. Typically in Italy the cappuccino is characterised via a thick dense layer of foam continued here in Australia – difference is we’ve added chocolate sprinkles on top.”“Choci on top has become a staple identifier of cappuccino in Australia yet more specialty coffee roasters and shops are refraining from this addition,” Lewin added. “Easily understood [as] it can mask the nuance of what makes the coffee ‘special’ with subtle elements from the farm overshadowed by after-market chocolate dusting.”

“Yes sprinkles are delicious, yet the question is does it speak to specialty coffee’s truest core values and message…? We’ll let customers, roasters, baristas decide that one.”

Finally: the big question. Is a cappuccino just a flat white with chocolate sprinkles?“Short answer – No. Long, technical answer – cappuccino is a stronger drink than a flat white when compared in same cup, as a cappuccino traditionally has more foam, which equates to more real estate in the cup (mostly air space) hence less milk resulting in stronger espresso to milk ratio. This equals a stronger drink.”“A flat white is then more easily understood by contrasting composition with less foam, more milk equals a weaker drinker. Flat whites are drinkable, smooth and easy crowd pleasers, cappuccino is a richer, more coffee forward expression for a bolder milk base drinking experience.”

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The post Australian Barista Champion Busts 'Cappuccino Myth' You Probably Still Believe appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Germany’s Bundesliga is one of the world’s most competitive and prestigious football leagues. It’s home to some of the best teams in the world, like Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, and it’s the best-attended football league in the world. Indeed, it’s the second-most attended professional sports league worldwide, only beaten out by the US’ NFL.That made things all the more painful for both the league and the German public when the COVID-19 pandemic took over Europe last year. Fans were forced to stay home and teams made to play in empty stadiums, with most of the 2019-2020 season played behind closed doors. So far, the 2020-21 season has had to deal with similar restrictions: some cities such as Berlin and Leipzig are allowing crowds, but at significantly reduced capacity.The Bundesliga’s woes are emblematic of Germany’s more broadly when it comes to The Bat Kiss. Germany remains in the top 10 worst-affected countries by COVID-19, with almost 2 million total cases – a number that’s set to rise. The country is currently in a nationwide lockdown, trying desperately to clamp down on rising cases. Which is why many Germans are now growing increasingly frustrated rather than elated when watching the Bundesliga.The German Hairdresser Association has asked the German Football Association (DFB) why the country’s footballers have taken to the pitch with fresh haircuts amid the nationwide lockdown, ESPN reports:

“Hair salons across Germany have been forced to close to prevent the spread of the coronavirus since December 16… [it’s] suggested that the hairstyles on display in the Bundesliga ‘can only be cut by a professional hairdresser with professional equipment’.”

“Freshly cut football stars put an entire [industry] under pressure,” the German Hairdresser Association statement argues, continuing that “the discontent with the top styled football pros is growing. They lead to customers calling and asking for work on the side and breaches of the corona regulations like visits at home… it is a great privilege for the Bundesliga to be able to play through the pandemic… the DFB [should] show solidarity and set an example in the fight against the ‘black market’.”

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This follows a high-profile incident in June last year where English national and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jadon Sancho labelled the DFB as an “absolute joke” after they fined him for getting a home haircut, where neither himself nor his hairdresser wore personal protective equipment – a violation of Germany’s COVID-19 restrictions, The Guardian reported.According to Statista, the average Bundesliga player’s basic pay sits at around 2.8 million AUD a year. That’s on top of any endorsements or business interests they might have. It’s easy to see why German hairdressers – as well as the German public – would be angry that rich footballers would flaunt the country’s COVID-19 restrictions, particularly in a country that’s so rule-abiding (and that’s suffering particularly badly from The Spicy Cough).The irony is that Bundesliga players used to be known for having terrible hair, as opposed to being so fussy they’d be willing to get haircuts on the sly. In fact, in many European countries the haircut we consider to be an Australian national icon – the humble mullet – is simply called ‘the Bundesliga haircut’, thanks to how prolific the style was among Bundesliga players in the 80s.We can probably blame David Hasselhoff for that…

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The post German Footballers’ Law Breaking Haircuts Infuriate Local Barbers appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Working for yourself and running a successful business is a dream shared by many. You call the shots, command an increased salary and get satisfaction from seeing something you’ve created perform successfully on the world stage.

But if you’ve never run a business before, or you’re a creative type but have no idea how to actually get your product to market, how do you transition from a small, lifestyle business into a fully-fledged large-scale operation?

It’s a question that Ben Francis, founder of fitness apparel brand Gymshark, has aimed to answer in a recent LinkedIn post (with further explanation outlined in an accompanying YouTube video.)

It’s safe to say, Ben is the perfect candidate to answer the aforementioned question, having founded his company in 2012 while still at university and delivering pizzas. Underestimating the level of success he would achieve, it wasn’t long before Ben (and former co-founder Lewis Morgan) dropped out of uni to focus on it full time.

Today, Gymshark is valued at over £1 billion, and Francis himself has an estimated net worth of £700 million (thanks to his 70% stake in the business). Just a reminder, he’s only 28 years old. Let that sink in.

But his success hasn’t been easy. As he says in his LinkedIn post, Ben reveals that the key to the stratospheric rise of Gymshark is “hiring great people”. Initially, Ben believed he could, and would have to, do everything himself.

“It’s very easy to get caught up in your own hype and believe that you can do everything right. After a bit of a reality check, I had to check my ego and leave others to it.”

“Genuinely, if you want to grow your business, that is the most important thing you can do.”

“When you’re hiring people, you have to trust others to do things. Inevitably things will go wrong and it’s incredibly tough to start with, looking back, it was difficult for me in the beginning.”

“I’m glad to say I’ve since managed to control my ego somewhat more, trying to become the best person I can be.”

“Genuinely, if you want to grow your business you need to make yourself redundant in areas you’re not as good at.”

Ben adds that “hiring great people” isn’t as simple as just hiring the most qualified, or the ones that look best on paper. “It’s tough to find talented and humble people, that care, who see a vision for the company,” he relates.

“One ‘bad apple’ can damage a team, we’ve had that in the past and had to deal with it very quickly.”

“Although our staff turnover may be low, if someone does something against our values, we have to say goodbye in the most amicable way possible.”

Once you have your team in place, you can start to think about making the leap into a much larger scale operation. Again, never expect it to be easy, “…it can come with a lot more risks, stress and longer hours,” says Ben.

“You will find your profits will decrease because you’ve got a higher cost base within the business. It’s a transition you will need to think long and hard about.”

Ben rests much of the success of Gymshark on bringing in two particular members of staff that have been able to mentor him, while guiding Gymshark towards a brand that receives incredible global recognition today.

“I brought in Steve and Paul. Steve is the CEO and Paul the Chairman, leading me to understand the way to run a larger scale company and teaching me to trust others.”

“It’s very difficult as a person that hadn’t done this before but gaining knowledge from others that have experience in a sizable business will really help with the process.”

It’s well publicised that a great deal of Gymshark’s success can be attributed to its heavy use of influencer marketing, recruiting over 100 social media influencers to advertise their product. When the brand launched, platforms such as Instagram were still in their infancy, and so opting to use it as a primary platform for marketing could easily be considered a risky move. Clearly, it paid off.

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The post Gymshark Founder Shares ‘Business Growing’ Secret Every Entrepreneur Can Learn From appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

We all like to think ourselves world savvy. But the truth is, the second that first airport beer touches our lips, we tend to become Poor Decision Making Machines.Call it hedonism if you like. Hell, call it living. But letting your hair down comes often comes with your judgement going (at least a little) out the window.This opens you up to positive experiences you might never otherwise enjoy. But it also has a price, which has been investigated in a study called “stupidity in tourism.”Published in the Tourism and Recreation Research section of the Taylor & Francis online journal, the study conceptualises “various manifestations of stupidity in tourism,” categories them, and “provides a basis for further investigation of the irrational behaviour of tourists and the impacts of circumstances on stupid behaviour.”

 

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The scientists are quick to point out that, “By stupidity we do not mean individuals who lack cognitive ability,” but rather define stupidity as “the absence or lack of wisdom.”

“Stupidity is people’s inability to weigh options carefully and to act prudently.”

The scientists cite a 2002 paper which shows “the same person could be smart in his or her home country and stupid when travelling, hence introducing stupidity in the tourism context.”Sound familiar?In an article discussing their study in The Conversation, the two authors (Denis Tolkach and Stephen Pratt) wrote that stupidity is generally caused by an excess of one or more of the following factors:

• the person believing they know everything
• the person believing they can do anything
• the person being extremely self-centred
• the person believing nothing will harm them
• the person’s emotions (for example, fear or anger)
• the person’s state (for example, exhausted or drunk)

Tourists can be affected by all of these factors, the pair wrote, explaining, “Leisure tourism, by its nature, is a very self-centred and pleasure-seeking activity. People often travel to relax and enjoy themselves.”

“In pursuit of trying something new or escaping their daily routine, people may go to places with very different cultures or practices than their own, or try things they wouldn’t normally do – such as adventure activities. As a result, individuals can act differently while on holidays.”

“There also seem to be fewer social constraints. Tourists may not follow rules and social norms while travelling, because relatives, friends, colleagues, bosses are less likely to find out. Of course, tourists may not be aware of the commonly-accepted rules of where they travelling, as well.”

 

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Their conclusion? Strict regulation (think: physical barriers, warning signs and other punitive measures) alone may not work. This can be seen in the hordes of tourists every year who made headlines by getting themselves in trouble (think: everything from selfie-takers falling off cliffs to a man trying to sneak into a zoo and being mauled by a Tiger.)“Education of tourists on how to behave during travels has some effect. But more importantly, tourists need to be self-aware. They need to consider what is likely to happen as a result of their behaviour, how likely is it that things will go wrong, and whether they would do this at home.”

 

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In the context of COVID-19, this is more important than ever, as respectful travel will be crucial in getting the industry back on its feet, without causing excess spreading of the virus.

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The post Study Uncovers 'Real Reason' Your Judgement Goes Out The Window On Holiday appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

We already know that Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is the most likeable person in the world, but this recent Twitter exchange just hammers home that point.Just before Christmas last year, a fan reached out on Twitter to the actor/wrestler/craft tequila maker hoping that he’d wish her brother ‘Merry Christmas’, sharing a fan photo from the 90s of the two. The Rock happily obliged, joking that he knew the photo was from 1998 as at that point in time he was still wearing a fake TAG Heuer watch.Normally, celebrities tend to be pretty aloof on social media – with some exceptions, like Russell Crowe – and wouldn’t dare admit that they once wore a fake luxury timepiece. But The Rock is cut from a different cloth: not only is he happy to engage with his fans in such a wholesome way, but he’s brave enough to admit his timepiece faux pas publically. You couldn’t have owned up to the ‘crime’ of wearing a fake watch in a more classy way.

Haha that’s a wrap on gifts. Just like my fake Tag Heuer watch I would run around wearing Happy Holidays man to you and your fam! https://t.co/NE7ujFeSY3

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) December 27, 2020

Very nicely played, Mr. Johnson.You’d think that they’d be wealthy enough to be able to afford the real McCoy, but celebrities are frequently caught out wearing fake watches. Even noted watch aficionados like Conor McGregor have been caught out wearing fake watches in the past.Sometimes it’s not their fault – often it’s a case of them being swindled by a dodgy jeweller – but often celebrities just do it to look richer than they are; ‘fake it till you make it’. Legendary (but now sadly inactive) Instagram account @fakewatchbusta has countless examples of celebrities doubling down on wearing fakes, for example.RELATED: I Wore A Fake Richard Mille For A Week To See How The ‘Other Half’ LiveThese days The Rock doesn’t have to slum it with a fake TAG Heuer. The superstar boasts a very healthy collection of real luxury timepieces, such as an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore, this Breitling Superocean, multiple Panerais and many more.We just wish he’d bring those super 90s sunglasses back…

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The post The Rock Owns Up To 'Watch Crime' In Classiest Way Possible appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Sneaker fiends know it’s not enough to simply buy the coolest kicks on the market. Once you’ve got them, you have to know how to clean sneakers properly or your whole collection will soon look as washed up as a bunch of over-Botoxed housewives on a reality show. The designer sneaker uprising is in full swing, so it’s about time you learnt how to care for your kicks like a man who gives a damn about making the right impression.

Whether you’re looking to maintain a new set of sneakers or freshen up a well-loved pair, following these expert tips and your hype kicks will look and smell as fresh as the day you picked them up.

Crucial Tools Of Sneaker Care

The good news is that sneaker care doesn’t have to cost a lot. You can spring for designer gear if that’s your thing, but you can keep your kicks in tip-top shape on a budget if need be as well. The first rule is rotation. The more often you wear your favourite pair, the faster they will deteriorate. Switch things up and let your sneakers air in between outings to lengthen their lifetime. Beyond that, these are the most important tools of the sneaker care trade.

Microfibre Cloth

Use a cloth to spot clean any scuffs and splashes that appear. The sooner the better, so if you’re particularly anal about your footwear you should keep a cloth with you at all times. Any clean cloth should do, but disposable shoe-specific cleaning wipes are available if you want an easy on-the-go solution. If you can, stick to a white cloth. Will ensure no colour accidentally comes off onto the shoe.

A Soft-Medium Bristle Brush

The brush is an obvious must in any shoe care kit. Pay special attention to the bristle. Sometimes you want something stiffer; sometimes you’ll need something softer to avoid causing damage. Make sure you have options available so you’re ready for any eventuality. A toothbrush will do if you’re looking for a wallet-friendly way to keep your sneakers clean. These can be purchased at any supermarket.

Iron

No you’re not ironing your prized kicks. Like those over-Botoxed housewives, you want to minimise the appearance of wrinkles on your laces. Lace maintenance can be as simple as an occasional ironing. They can also be soaked in warm water and a shoe cleaner. Bleach is an option too, but go easy on it as it weakens the fibres. If this is too had, just purchase a few extra pairs of laces. Heaps of aftermarket companies are now producing beautiful shoe laces to give your kicks its own unique personality.

Shoe Cleaner Solution

Pick up a dedicated shoe cleaner that’s designed for high-end footwear. The right one will be formulated to keep the integrity of luxurious fabrics intact while still packing the cleaning power necessary. Use the solution along with warm water and a wet brush. We recommend Jason Markk shoe cleaner.

Shoe Deodoriser

Like it or not, your feet are going to get funky at some point. Go on the offensive with a deodoriser or fragrance spray (applied to the insoles after they’re removed from the shoes).

Other options are moisture-wicking socks and dryer sheets left in your sneakers overnight. This is especially handy in summer when shoes get extra funky some sweat and sun. Mr Black makes a good one or jump on eBay for home made solutions.

Suede Protector

If your shoes are leather or suede, treat them with a protector designed specifically for the purpose. Leave the treatment on overnight and your sneakers will be protected from months. Just be sure that you use something designed specifically for shoes, rather than heavier products that might end up doing more harm than good when applied to your kicks. Suede protector can be picked up in most supermarkets or shoe makers.

Washing Machine

When all else fails, the washing machine is your last resort. It’s a bit of a crapshoot, but the safest way to bathe your sneaks in the washing machine is to remove the laces and foot beds, then place everything separately into two pillowcases or a wash bag. If you go the pillow case route, tie them closed and place them both in the washing machine on the delicate cycle. There’s no guarantees here so only use as a last resort.

The post How To Clean Your Sneakers appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

This feature has been produced in partnership with Panerai.

Sailing yacht racing has a reputation as being simply a past-time for the ludicrously wealthy, but the reality is that it’s one of the most intense sports on the planet. Dangerous, grueling and physically demanding, it’s a sport that demands strength, precision and teamwork.

The most prestigious race of all is the America’s Cup; the oldest international sporting trophy and the fiercest-fought yacht race on the planet. This year, the famous race will be held off the coast of Auckland in the Hauraki Gulf, widely considered one of the best sailing spots in the world. The defending Emirates Team New Zealand will no doubt face fierce competition, with Italy’s Luna Rossa Challenge poised as the ‘Challenger of Record’ for the 36 America’s Cup.

If the Italians want to beat the Kiwis out on the high seas, they’ll need no shortage of gumption – as well as the best equipment money can buy at their disposal. Perhaps it’s no surprise, then, that legendary Italian watch manufacturer Panerai have answered their countrymen’s call, forging a partnership with Luna Rossa Challenge to produce some of the toughest (and most distinctive) watches they’ve ever created.

“As an Italian sailor and a watch enthusiast, I am delighted and proud of this partnership signed by our team with a brand which has such impressive credentials in the field of sailing,” Max Sirena, Skipper and Team Director of Luna Rossa says.

Indeed, it’s hard to think of a better timepiece partnership for a racing yacht team. Panerai grew to fame as an official watch supplier of the Royal Italian Navy, and has an almost century-long history of making nautical instruments.

Panerai’s Laboratorio di Idee has come up with five brilliant watches across two collections – the Luminor Luna Rossa and the Submersible Luna Rossa – to celebrate this partnership. Sharing a common purpose and inspiration, but achieving their goal through divergent means, these high-performance timepieces are the ultimate sailor’s watches.

Let’s start with the Luminor Luna Rossa collection, which consists of four handsome models which all contain different features essential for yacht races and are all constructed from highly innovative materials.

The GMT 44mm (ref. PAM01036), constructed from titanium DLC, features a dual time zone function, perfect for keeping track of a race no matter where you are on the planet. The black ceramic Chrono Flyback 44mm (ref. PAM01037), as the name suggests, boasts a high-precision flyback chronograph – the ultimate sporting tool.

Not only does the Regatta 47mm (ref. PAM01038) have a novel regatta timer but also uses Panerai’s novel Carbotech: a composite material based on carbon fibre that’s not only incredibly tough and light but features an uneven, matt black appearance, which varies according to the way the material is sculpted. The end result is that each watch that uses Carbotech has a completely unique appearance.

This trio, along with their Submersible Luna Rossa cousin, feature dials covered with the same exotic textile that the Luna Rossa yacht’s sails are made from – a neat little detail that reminds you of their sailing heritage.

Also in the Luminor Luna Rossa range is the GMT 42mm (ref. PAM01096), which combines a sand-blasted titanium case with a Carbotech bezel and swaps out the aforementioned sail textile dial for an even more exotic material, Scafotech: another unique composite actually made from carbon fibre residue recycled from the hull and hydrofoils of the Luna Rossa Challenge’s AC75 yacht.

The Submersible Luna Rossa 47mm (ref. PAM01039) takes an even more divergent route. While the Submersible, like the PAM01036 and PAM01096, features a GMT movement and date window, its focus is squarely on aquatic performance. Boasting a water resistance of 300m, a grippy unidirectional diving bezel and generous lashings of lume, the Submersible is prepared for even the most nail-biting dips into the Pacific.

The hardest decision for a watch fan – or indeed for a member of the Luna Rossa Challenge team – is which one to pick. Submersible or Luminor? GMT or Regatta? Carbotech or titanium? All we’ll say is don’t think about it too long. These yachts go bloody quick, and so will these watches.

You can find the entire Panerai Luna Rossa Challenge collection at your nearest Panerai boutique or store.

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