Panerai Introduces It’s Latest Brand Ambassador – Jimmy Chin

From the early beginnings to the rise of the Panerai brand there have always been unofficial ambassadors of the brand. The iconic figures that have worn this masculine and rugged brand of watches not because they were initially paid, but becuase they truly loved the brand and the way the watches looked. You had the godfather, Sly Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, The Rock, Dolph Lundgren, Jason Statham, and many more.

Recently we have seen Panerai start building a true relationship with a new group of individuals who have been introduced as true ambassadors of the brand due to the alignment of their belief systems and love of the Panerai brand. Ambassadors such as Mike Horn, Guillaume Nery, Wallace Huo, and MS Dhoni have all come to the forefront this year bringing their love of the brand to the mainstream.

In the meantime we have been wondering who would be the first here in the United States. Well the wait is over as Award Winning Filmmaker and Photographer Jimmy Chin was announced as a brand ambassador this week.

Jimmy Chin recently won the Academy Award for Best Documentary and Seven Emmy Awards in each creative category for him and his wife Chai Vasarhely’s film Free Solo. Jimmy has also become an icon in the world of adventure sports which fits nicely in the Panerai world. He has led and participated in dozens of high-profile exploratory expeditions on all seven continents including skiing from the summit of Mount Everest.

“Often as a professional climber, you are doing things that people think are impossible, but I found when you really commit to something you can achieve great things. I feel Panerai has the same mentality about its brand and innovation which is what drew me to it. The brand strives to create the exceptional, which is a trait I need in my equipment and what I strive for in life. To me, watches represent our most precious commodity: Time – whether on a climb or in life, we should be making the most of it,” explains Jimmy Chin.

On November 15th Chin joined Panerai US Brand President Philippe Bonay along with clients and VIP’s to kick off the partnership in New York at a private cocktail and pre-screening of the brand and filmmaker’s first partnered project – a film short depicting, from Jimmy’s eyes, what success and motivation means to him. Deeply personal, the short film shows the audience that in order to go beyond to achieve greatness against incredible odds, you have to sometimes look back to where you have grounded yourself. A great life’s suggestion for everyone.

“The partnership between Panerai and Jimmy Chin expresses values with which our brand is strongly linked, commitment to sport and enthusiasm for new adrenaline challenges. Panerai heroes push limits and break records. Jimmy Chin has been pushing those boundaries throughout his career and we are proud to welcome him to the Panerai community,” said CEO Jean-Marc Pontroué.

You can visit the full gallery of images from the special event here – FULL GALLERY