The Zenith El Primero Land Rover Special Edition watch marks the start of a long partnership between the brands.
Zenith watch brand and Land Rover have joined forces in a long-term partnership, and to mark the start of the relationship, they are introducing the El Primero Range Rover Special Edition watch.
Land Rover’s first Range Rover was unveiled in 1969 and came out in 1970.
The timepiece celebrates an important year the two companies have in common: 1969. It was 47 years ago that Swiss watch brand Zenith unveiled its now famed El Primero chronograph, and that British Land Rover unveiled the prototype of its first luxury off-road vehicle: the now iconic Range Rover. Then, in 1972, explorer John Blashford-Snell crossed the Darién Gap on the border between Colombia and Panama, while driving an early Range Rover and wearing an El Primero chronograph on his wrist.
The first Zenith El Primero Chronograph also came out in 1969. The new watch houses a high-frequency El Primero Chronograph Caliber.
Now the two brands have joined forces again and pay tribute to the partnership with the new limited edition series, which was officially unveiled today in Paris. The El Primero Range Rover limited edition watch is presented in two strap color ways and pays tribute to the first luxury SUV. Both models feature a brushed gray dial with the inscription “Zenith Range Rover.”
The matt gray dial of the watch was inspired by the Range Rover’s luxurious interior.
Like Zenith and Range Rover, it is all about precision and performance, so the watch naturally houses an El Primero movement, The El Primero 400B Automatic calibre with 326 parts and 31 jewels powers the El Primero Range Rover watch.
The El Primero 400B Automatic calibre with 326 parts and 31 jewels powers the El Primero Range Rover watch.
It beast at a high-frequency rate of 36,000 VpH (5 Hz) and has a power reserve of 50 hours. The column-wheel chronograph – which times to 1/10th of a second — features central second hand and30-minute counter at 3:00. Additional, the watch features a date indication at 6:00 and a tachymeter scale on the dial.
Both brand logos grace the rotor of the movement, which is visible via a transparent case back.
In terms of aesthetics, the two brands worked together to form a streamlined, subtly curved design. The 42mm case is crafted of high-tech ceramised aluminium. The strap is also auto-inspired with perforations in it and is offered in two colors: black rubber coated with ivory calfskin or black rubber coated with blue perforated calfskin. The hour markers and hands are rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1.
The case is made of black ceramised aluminium.
The watch is water resistant to 100 meters and features a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment and a sapphire crystal caseback for viewing the movement and the specially engraved Zenith Land Rover rotor that holds both brand logos. The watch retails for $7,700.
According to Gerry McGovern, Land Rover Chief Design Officer, the two brands came together to herald their iconic DNA while at the same time offering a clean and inviting timepiece. “The matt finish simultaneously suggests understatement, sophistication and durability. Like a Range Rover, it’s an object you look at and immediately feel an emotional connection.”
Aldo Magada and Gerry McGovern
“The match between our two brands is very strong,” says Aldo Magada, President and CEO of Zenith, noting that both brands are “pioneers in our respective industries and we both create unique, innovative products. Through timeless design, both brands express authentic luxury.”
The Zenith El Primero Range Rover Limited Series watch is offered with a blue or ivory calfskin strap on a black rubber backing.
