Oris Swiss Watch Signs Three - Year Regatta Sponsorship

The Sint Maarten Yacht Club and the Sint Maarten Yacht Club Regatta Foundation are pleased to announce that Oris Swiss Watches – the independent manufacturer of Swiss mechanical watches since 1904 – has signed a three-year sponsorship for the brand as the ‘Official Timepiece’ of the legendary St. Maarten Heineken Regatta now in its 40th year; and the rapidly emerging Caribbean Multihull Challenge set for its 2nd annual event in February 2020.

V.J. Geronimo – CEO North America of Oris -- has worked closely with the yacht club and the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta Foundation – represented by Board Member Stephen Burzon – to create Oris’ first ever significant sailing sponsorship in the Western Hemisphere. According to Geronimo…”Sailing is an art form that fits perfectly with the design and hand-crafted manufacture of our mechanical watches; many of which are made for the ocean. There are different ways to get across the water and different ways to tell time, but nothing is a pure as sailing and true mechanical watches. By joining with both of these powerful sailing events, we have a chance to showcase our product to an affluent and active world-wide audience of men and women who love sailing, the outdoors, and an active lifestyle. In addition we get to fully support the island of St. Maarten/St. Martin which is a place we have done business in for many years.

In announcing this landmark sponsorship, Burzon has applauded the efforts of his fellow board members as well as the key marketing team from the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta in pulling together all of the complicated pieces that this multiple regatta sponsorship entails. Special recognition goes to the efforts of Mike Milpuri of island retailer Ballerina Jewelers who supplies the energy to run the Oris Pop-Up Shops located on site in the regatta villages at both the CMC and the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta events. 

For over 115 years, Oris has been making purely mechanical watches in Holstein, Switzerland. Comprised of four worlds: Diving, Aviation, Motor Sport, and Culture, Oris watches are made for everyday wear and offer the luxury of common sense. Staying true to a rich heritage, Oris is one of the few Swiss watch companies to remain independently owned and operated.

About the Caribbean Multihull Challenge Sint Maarten: 

The Sint Maarten Yacht Club will host the second annual Caribbean Multihull Challenge from February 14-16, 2020. The event is open to all multihull sailors on racing catamarans and trimarans as well as chartered cats and cruising multis. For more information visit www.smyc.com/caribbean-multihull-challenge.

Sint Maarten Yacht Club

Established in 1980 with the goal to promote sailing on the island of St Maarten. It organizes multiple sailing events throughout the year, with the St Maarten Heineken Regatta as its crown jewel. A youth sailing program stimulates local youngsters to become part of the sailing community, teaching them life skills like team work, perseverance and confidence. Always looking to further develop sailing on St Maarten, the Club is active in promoting the sport, as well as the beautiful destination it is located at.