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Official supplier to Les Voiles d’Antibes
MATWATCHES once again demonstrates its passion for sailing
To mark the 26th edition of Les Voiles d'Antibes from 15 to 19 September 2021, the French watchmaker MATWATCHES is proud to announce that it has been appointed official supplier to the prestigious sailing event.
In order to inaugurate this partnership between time and yachting, MATWATCHES presents a California watch dedicated to Les Voiles d’Antibes in a limited edition of 100 timepieces.
Yachting enthusiasts wouldn’t miss Les Voiles d’Antibes for the world! Since 1996, this competition has marked the beginning of the Mediterranean sailing season for traditional and metric class yachts.
Although the health crisis has slightly disrupted the usual calendar this year, with the postponement of the event from spring to late summer, this gathering is so much more than a sailing competition.
It is a flagship venue for the finest vintage yachts (built pre-1950), classic yachts (built pre-1976), “Esprit de tradition” modern classics, and Metrics (6 MJI, 8MJI and 12 MJI produced for the America’s Cup from 1958 to 1987) which have entered the annals of international yachting, such as the Lelantina, Outlaw, Adria, Cambria, Tuiga, Ikra and Sovereign.
Renowned for the quality of its regattas (match-racing for metric classes and courses along the 23 km coastline between the bays of Antibes and Juan-les-Pins, for the other classes), Les Voiles d’Antibes is also known for the very friendly atmosphere back ashore on the quays when sailors, owners, crews, organisers, partners, and sailing enthusiasts all gather on dry land in the village designed around the theme of celebration, the environment, the sea, and jazz.
This season, MATWATCHES is delighted to extend its commitment to sailing by becoming an official event supplier. “Les Voiles d’Antibes epitomises the marriage of sport and style,” says Fabrice Pougez, founder and CEO of MATWATCHES. “Like Les Voiles d’Antibes yachts, our watches tell great stories with their combination of technical excellence, watchmaking expertise, sporting spirit, and aesthetic flair.” »
To mark this partnership, MATWATCHES presents a limited edition of its California model, with a special issue of 100 watches. With its 39 mm stainless steel case, textured blue dial featuring the competition’s famous stylised sails and the word “Antibes”, mechanical automatic movement, and set of three straps (blue rubber, Havana leather and tactical canvas), the “California x Voiles d’Antibes” delivers a unique lifestyle and look! Three watches with the inscription “Winner 2021” on the side will be presented to the victors.
As the leading French name in the design, manufacture and distribution of watches for professionals, MATWATCHES made its first foray into the world of sailing in 2017 when it designed a limited edition of 300 regatta watches for the French team taking part in the 35th America’s Cup.
Since then, the brand has held its course and kept a keen wind in its sails by entering into collaboration with the skipper Vincent Riou, and then producing a design dedicated to French SNSM sea rescue teams. More recently, MATWATCHES has also teamed up with Kevin Escoffier.
During the last Vendée Globe race, Escoffier’s Imoca (PRB) sank off the Cape of Good Hope, and the three “Compressor SNSM” watches onboard which the sailor had intended to donate to a charity auction went down with it. “Sailing is an extension of everything we have being doing since the company was founded,” says Fabrice Pougez. The partnership with Les Voiles d’Antibes is another aspect of this vibrant dynamic.