Ornatus-Mundi announces the significant partnership between Zenith and Land Rover, highlighting the shared heritage of innovation from 1969. His post introduces the El Primero Range Rover Special Edition chronograph, detailing its unique design elements and the collaborative spirit behind its creation. This article offers a timely look at how two iconic brands converge to create a timepiece that reflects both automotive and horological excellence.
In announcing the most recent partnership with the legendary
off-road car producer Land Rover, the
watch manufacturer Zenith reminds once more on the
groundbreaking year 1969 giving birth to two icons, when one partner presented the first prototype of the
Range Rover, a luxury cross-country vehicle, whereas the other came forth with its
El Primero movement, one of the world's first
integrated
automatic chronograph movements.
On 29 September 2016, during the Paris Motor Show, the newly brokered long term partnership was announced, and the
El
Primero Range Rover Special Edition chronograph revealed.
The Zenith Range Rover Special Edition is a 42mm chronograph featuring a
ceramised aluminum case with lots of nice detail work: First, there is a really elegant, luxuriousy restrained brushed anthracite dial (which I am totally eager to see inthe metal!). Take close note of the permanent seconds and minute counters, both of which are applied rings, whereas the hours counter at 6 o'clock appears to be slightly lowered, yet still brushed like the remainder of the dial. That combination of continuity amidst difference makes for a particularly delicate effect.
Note also the new shape of the seconds hand, which takes up the characterstic LED-illuminated headlamp collar of the Range Rover:
The straps are made of rubber with blue and tan coloured calfskin inserts, respectively, which take up the optics from the Range Rover's leather upholstery.
Below are a few life images I got from Zenith. More to follows once I could put my hands on this precious!
This image illustrates nicely the nice effect of the hour counter subdial finish:
For the inauguaration of the partnership, Zenith and Land Rover held an event in Paris alongside this year's Auto salon, with over 200 guests
On stage
Zenith's CEO Aldo Magada was joined by
Gerry
McGovern, Land Rover Chief Design Officer.
"The
Zenith El Primero is one of the most distinctive watch designs ever produced,
in my view. Therefore it has been imperative to honour and respect this iconic
design. It had to remain unmistakably an El Primero, but allude to Range Rover
DNA.β says Mr
McGovern:
"We looked to the reductive nature of a modern
Range Rover interior and the Zenith team translated that into the dial of the
watch, keeping it simple and unfussy. 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." he added.
Aldo Magada confirmed:
"The match between our two brands is very
strong. Zenith and Range Rover are both pioneers in our respective industries,
and we both create unique, innovative products. Through timeless design, both
brands express authentic luxury. The Zenith team is very excited to start this
long-term partnership with Range Rover, another superb brand and kindred
spirit."
Commissioned to artistically symbolise the Zenith/Land Rover partnership in a memorable aesthetic
experience star guest,
Richard Orlinski, top-ranked French artist in 2015 and sculptor of timeless living artworks created - in real time on stage - an emotion-provoking blend of the Zenith and Land Rover universes interpreted
through the prism of his own distinctive style.
But this was not all: never failing to support his watchmaking 'babies',
head of LVMH watch division, Jean Claude Biver, insisted on caring for the culinary delights of the guests himself.
He brought along his own very famous
Gruyère cheese, made on his own farm overlooking Lake Geneva with milk from Biver's cows roaming the flowery meadows of the premises.
So, I am excited to learn more about this
partnership of two real legends, and I am particularly interested in the 'long-term' nature which Aldo Magada emphasised several times. Automotive and watchmaking are not exactly a novelty, and all too often these are cross-makreting efforts, with very little technical cross-pollination.
I sincerely hope for the latter, as watchmaking and car-producing alike, in these times have lots of challenges to face. At least the latter have taken up the challenge of the self-driving car and alternative dynamics and are begining to understand the implications. Watch world needs to follow suit in respect to their own (technological and economic) callings!
Cheers,
Magnus
P.S.: Post significantly expanded with information and images on 01 October 2016
