Rolex Longobarda

Rolex and Sailing: Submariner “La Longobarda” and the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup

Rolex's passion for the sea is rooted in a long series of prestigious collaborations, among which the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup stands out: a competition for monohulls over 60 feet, which has now become an institution on the international sailing scene.
The partnership between Rolex and the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup began way back in 1985 and is today one of the longest-running and most prestigious partnerships on the nautical calendar. This bond perfectly embodies the values ​​shared between the world of sailing and the crowned Maison: performance, precision, endurance, and elegance. The history of this event is inextricably linked to a legendary Italian vessel: the Longobarda. Designed with revolutionary technical solutions for the time and built with cutting-edge materials such as Kevlar and carbon, the Longobarda won the title of World Champion in 1989, becoming a true symbol of excellence in Italian shipbuilding. To crown that victory, a gesture combining sport and prestige: a Rolex Submariner was donated as a personal award to the vessel's Captain, with engraving and certification signed by Romalo S.p.A.. – the company that, at the time, officially distributed the Rolex and Tudor brands in Italy (before becoming Rolex Italia in 1993). This example, in addition to its technical and aesthetic value, represents a piece of history. Rare, commemorative, and deeply connected to a memorable sporting event, it is the perfect example of how a watch can tell much more than time: it can tell the story of a victory, an era, a revolution. -