Farewell to Angelo Bonati, Mr. Panerai and “daddy” of one of the world’s most beautiful boats

The world of luxury watchmaking and classic sailing mourns the passing of Angelo Bonati. A charismatic figure and far-sighted entrepreneur, Bonati led the transformation of Officine Panerai from a small Italian company to a prestigious global brand for more than 20 years. But his name is also inextricably linked to the recovery of one of the world’s most beautiful sailboats, Eilean.

Angelo Bonati: a Milanese man who conquered luxury watchmaking and the seas with Panerai

Angelo Bonati, although originally from Milan, embodied the spirit of Officine Panerai for 21 years. Under his leadership, the Florentine brand has experienced unprecedented international expansion, becoming a benchmark in the haute horlogerie sector.

In addition to his business acumen, Bonati cultivated a deep passion for the sea and, in particular, for vintage boats. This passion led him to make a gesture that went far beyond a simple marketing strategy: the recovery and restoration of Eilean, a 1936 Bermudian ketch destined for oblivion. Bonati retired from leading Panerai in April 2018, leaving an indelible mark on the brand’s history.

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Eilean: a 1936 masterpiece by William Fife III

Eilean, which means “little island” in Gaelic, is an elegant 22-meter ketch launched in 1936 by the renowned Fife of Fairlie shipyard, designed by the celebrated William Fife III, a well-known Scottish designer who also built two Shamrock hulls, the sailing ships with which Sir. Thomas Lipton tried in vain to win the America’s Cup.

Commissioned by the Fulton brothers of Greenock, Scottish shipowners, Eilean represented an example of excellence in shipbuilding at the time, with her Burmese teak hull and steel frame. Her classic lines and Bermudian sail plan soon made her one of the most admired vessels.

From regattas to the Caribbean and the set of “Rio” the Duran Duran song

In the 1970s, Eilean passed into the hands of British architect John Shearer, who used her as a luxury charter in the Caribbean, making as many as 14 Atlantic crossings. It was during this period that her fame crossed the boundaries of the sailing world, becoming the star of the video clip for the song “Rio” by Duran Duran in 1982. The images of the band performing aboard the beautiful boat against the backdrop of the crystal clear waters of Antigua went around the world, consecrating Eilean in the collective imagination.

Before being discovered by Angelo Bonati, Eilean had sailed the Atlantic 36 times, testifying to her ruggedness and adventurous spirit. However, in 2006, the glorious vessel was found in a state of serious disrepair in English Harbour in Antigua. Her fate seemed sealed, but an encounter with Angelo Bonati radically changed her story.

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Angelo Bonati’s insight: a new beginning for Eilean

It was during the 2006 Antigua Classic Week that Angelo Bonati came across Eilean. Fascinated by its classic lines, typical of Fife’s design, Bonati decided to purchase it on behalf of Officine Panerai. As he himself had occasion to declare, Eilean was for him“another love” and“his project.”

Under the guidance of Angelo Bonati, Panerai undertook an ambitious philological restoration project to restore Eilean to its former glory. The work, carried out with master craftsmanship at the Francesco Del Carlo shipyard in Viareggio, lasted more than two and a half years and required about 40,000 hours of work. The effort was to preserve as much of the original materials as possible, such as the hull’s Burmese teak planking and galvanized metal frame. Original details such as the teak cockpit and bronze gears were reproduced with extreme precision, and the iconic Fife dragons were re-carved on the hull. In 2009, Eilean was re-launched, regaining her original beauty.

Angelo Bonati’s passing leaves an unbridgeable void, but his legacy will live on through his accomplishments. Thanks to his foresight, Eilean will continue to sail, carrying with it the history of an era and the memory of a visionary of the sea.

James Barbaro