Jean-Claude Biver, Zenith and Land Rover Partner for El Primero Range Rover Watch

Last night in New York City at the New York Edition hotel, Jean-Claude Biver, President of LVMH Watch Division, unveiled the newest brand partnership: an agreement with Land Rover to create watches inspired by the luxury SUVs. River was joined by Gerry McGovern, Chief Design Officer of Land Rover for the exciting event that included a live art performance and showcased the new El Primero Range Rover Special Edition chronograph.

The timepiece houses the El Primero 4008 automatic Chronograph movement with 326 parts and that beats at a high-frequency of 5 Hz (36,000 vph). The El Primero was first unveiled to the world in 1969 and has since become a benchmark standard for performance. That same year, Land Rover unveiled the prototype of its first luxury off-road vehicle, Range Rover, which made its debut a year later in 1970. The partnership between the companies is a multi-year deal and the begins with this new watch launch.

McGovern worked closely with Zenith President and CEO Aldo Magada and the Zenith watchmaking team, to bring the watch and all of its Range Rover design inspirations to fruition. The watch features a matte grey dial that was inspired by the interior of the Range Rover. The dial is graced by both brand names with an inscription that reads “Zenith Range Rover.” Functions include a column-wheel chronograph that times to 1/10th of a second, date and tachymeter scale to measure speed.

The 42mm case is crafted of high-tech aluminium and the auto-inspired perforated strap is offered in either blue or ivory calfskin over black rubber for comfort and wearability. The finishing touch is the specially engraved rotor — visible via a sapphire caseback — that bears the Zenith and Lad Rover logos. It retails for $7,700.