Island Life Magazine Ltd June/July 2012 | Page 75

ON THE WATER in the mid 1930s for the Royal Navy who Eilean, the stunning classic sailing yacht Duran Duran which is still where most people required wrist compasses and depth gauges. now owned by Panerai, started her life in After being extremely disappointed by the 1936 in the hands of brothers James and Then an accident involving a damaged durability of watches available at the time, Robert Fulton. Coincidentally this was also ferry meant that Eilean was unsailable, and it was Panerai who was asked to develop a the year that the first prototype of the Panerai almost beyond repair, despite John Shearer’s watch able to withstand extreme conditions. Radiomir was launched, a watch that had attempts at a restoration. She lay amongst This ethos still holds deep within Panerai been specially created for the Royal Italian the mangroves in a dilapidated state until Navy. Angelo Bonati, CEO of Panerai spotted her and has been proven through watches such as the Arktos, developed for legendary After several changes in owner, in 1974 associate her from today. whilst in Antigua for the 2006 Antigua Classic explorer Mike horn, and for numerous sailing she finally came into the custody of French timepieces over the years. In 1997, Richemont architect, John Shearer who had sailed took over Panerai and improved the quality on her as a child when his uncle was her have led to Eilean once more becoming one yet further, creating new timepieces and skipper. Soon after, she famously featured of the most glorious ketch classic yachts on products. in the legendary music video for “Rio” by the water. Yacht Challenge. More than 40,000 hours of delicate work www.visitislandlife.com 75