Zenith and Land Rover celebrate an entwined legacy
Two iconic brands made their marks in the worlds of Horlogerie and luxury cars in 1969. Now, the El Primero Range Rover Special Edition is the beginning of a great partnership
Two names, two legends with entwined destinies. In 1969, Zenith unveiled its fabled El Primero chronograph while British car manufacturer Land Rover introduced the prototype of the first luxury off-road vehicle: the iconic Range Rover. Half a century later, the brands are entering into an exceptional long-term partnership marked by the El Primero Range Rover Special Edition.
In tribute to the first luxury SUV, the watch’s brushed grey dial bears the inscription “Zenith Range Rover”. The hands and hour-markers are rhodiumed and luminescent. The El Primero Range Rover chronograph features a streamlined, subtly curved and inimitable design. The aluminium ‘bodywork’ of its 42 MM-diameter matt black ceramised case is a nod to the Range Rover chassis. Water-resistant to 100 metres and topped by a cambered sapphire crystal, it is equipped with a ratcheted crown and black round pushers. The sapphire case back bearing the “El Primero Range Rover / Special Edition” engraving reveals an oscillating weight personalised with the Zenith and Range Rover logos.
Housing the automatic El Primero 400B movement, its fast-paced beat of 36,000 vibrations per hour enables it to power a tenth of a second display. This 326-part movement drives central hours and minutes hands, along with chronograph and tachymeter functions, while ensuring an over 50-hour power reserve.
