The Perfect Yacht, the Perfect Timepiece
In-depth

Caribbean Dream Cruising: The Perfect Yacht, the Perfect Timepiece

You’ll find that, regardless of your preference in exclusive cruising style and exotic ports-of-call, the experience is only made that much more special by your selection of timepiece to sport as the “master and commander” of your once-in-a-lifetime voyage.

The Lounge by Watchonista
By Mike Espindle
Executive Editor

Thoughts of winter doldrums have only just begun to loom on the horizon, but let’s indulge in a bit of fantasy, shall we? A dream cruise aboard a dream yacht with a dream timepiece…sounds like a pretty sweet dalliance, indeed. So, we thought it was finally time to step up and turn these aspirations into an unforgettable reality.

That is why, today, The Lounge by Watchonista offers these inspiring insider recommendations and resources for a seafaring trip of a lifetime in the warm waters of the Caribbean this season, complete with a spectacular wrist companion.

Power Trip: Superyachting the Bahamas

Mea culpa. Cartographically, the idyllic islands of the Bahamas aren’t technically in the Caribbean Sea. But why split hairs? With both deep-water docking and equally convenient anchorages and moorings that can accommodate larger vessels, a superyacht is the best option for a waterborne Bahamian adventure.

Moreover, if you opt for an undemanding itinerary, then the right vessel can also transport you and your party from Point A to Point B, and beyond, while you sleep soundly and sumptuously on board, maximizing your languid days of fun in the sun.

Your ride: The 221’, 2010 Dutch-built (refitted in 2020) Loon is an extremely popular superyacht charter, and for good reason. The owning family is reportedly involved in the professional sports industry, and as such, you won’t find a better-equipped on-board gym (with sauna and massage rooms) afloat, anywhere.
 

Ditto on the raft of water toys (think jet skis to seabobs to a full-service scuba center) stored in her copious beach-club deck. Accommodating 12 guests in seven classically elegant colonial-style wood-paneled cabins, including a majestic full-beam duplex master suite, Loon carries an equally enviable array of water-based on-board amenities (including a top-deck pool and water slide).

Rely on South Florida-based (with nine international offices globally) charter leader IYC to handle all the arrangements, and alert the vessel’s 18 experienced crew members of your impending arrival. Weekly charter rates for Loon start at $550,000 (plus expenses).
 

Your “wrist skipper”: With so much abundant refreshing moisture in store, you’ll want a timepiece that is both rock-solidly water-tight and appropriately “ship shape.” I’m looking at you, Rolex Deepsea in yellow-gold.

With an astounding water resistance rating of 12,800 feet, the 44mm timepiece was offered for the first time in yellow gold last year. You can add its $52,100 price tag under the “miscellaneous” category of your charter budget.
 

Eco-Conscious: State-of-the-Art Sailing in the Virgin Islands

The tight grouping of charming destinations, comprising both the US Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands, presents an unrivaled opportunity to experience the luxurious, tropical Caribbean allure under leisurely sail. Aboard a modern, technically advanced sailing yacht, however, “island-hopping” takes on a new level of velocity, elegance, sophistication, and romance.

Your ride: Built in the Oceanco shipyard in 2018, the cutting-edge steel hull design and nearly 3,000 square meters of sail across her three masts let the 335’ Black Pearl get up to 20 knots under sail, making quick island-to-island reaches even quicker.

In fact, watching the crew scramble on deck to squeeze every puff of wind into speed (and maybe helping with hauling a line or two) is a big part of the action in this style of ocean cruising. Even if the winds don’t cooperate, with her diesel-and-electric hybrid engines, you’ll still be cruising with the lowest environmental impact possible.
 

While techno-modern and built-for-speed on the outside, you and up to 11 guests can enjoy some unexpected Louis XVI-inspired neoclassic elegance below decks in five well-appointed cabins, including a full-beam master suite with a private balcony. Somehow, the designers also found room for expansive social lounges, an outdoor large-screen cinema, a hammam spa, and a 4,000-bottle wine collection on board the advanced, streamlined sailing yacht.

Charter experts Camper & Nicholsons International can handle all your logistics and your local rum orders. Black Pearl’s weekly charter rate starts at €830,000.
 

Your “wrist skipper”: With a profound heritage of maritime chronography dating from shipping’s “golden era” combined with an uncanny propensity to push the modern technicality of watchmaking, a fine timepiece from Ulysse Nardin would perfectly fit the bill on this voyage (the brand’s logo is an anchor, after all).

Released earlier this year, the ultra-light, $38,000, 44mm Diver [AIR] is a strong match for Black Pearl’s classic-meets-cutting-edge vibe.
 

Fashion Forward: “Yachtonista” Style in St. Barts (and Beyond)

The fashionable, French-accented port of St. Barthelemy is truly where the Med meets the Carib. There is no more international elite- and celebrity-favored island in the region, hands down.

However, close-by Leeward Islands like Anguilla, Antigua, and St. Kitts & Nevis give the “billionaire island” a stiff run for the money. It’s best to select a sleek yacht that allows you and your party to arrive in edgy style, wherever you drop anchor.

Your ride: With her clean modern lines and gleaming black hull, the 206’ Utopia IV yacht, a 2018 (refit in 2022) build from Italy’s Rossinavi shipyards, is an elegant item of floating fashion unto herself.
 

Her six staterooms, comprising five double cabins and a single convertible cabin (up to 12 guests), and public spaces (including a water-level, beach club deck, a fully equipped conference room, jacuzzi, and swimming pool) are equally A-list stylish, with light woods and elegant neutral fabrics dominating the on-board look-and-feel.

Let your evening gown flow as Utopia IV’s  21’ Williams tender whisks you into port for some cracked crab, or show off your latest Vilebrequin swimwear while piloting the full gamut of water toys, from Sea-Doos to jet skis to seabobs, from paddle boards to wake boards to even water skis.

Fort Lauderdale-based yacht sales and charter firm Northrop & Johnson will, ahem, custom-tailor all the finishing touches for your bespoke adventure. Utopia IV’s winter weekly charter rates start at $505,000.
 

Your “wrist skipper”: For making an unmistakably stylish wrist-splash, you’d be hard-pressed to do better than a timepiece creation from artful watchmaker Richard Mille.

And, while this watch was produced in partnership with Ferrari, the RM 43-01 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph (available in both titanium and carbon fiber case designs), released this March, makes an impression perfectly in sync with Utopia IV’s impeccable European élan.

These masterpieces are listed for CHF 1,150,000 in titanium and CHF 1,350,000 in carbon.
 

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