To celebrate the launch of the new Range Rover Velar, Swiss watchmaker Zenith has unveiled the new Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Range Rover Velar Special Edition watch.

The watch was unveiled following the launch of the new SUV at the Geneva International Motor Show.

In 1969 the Rover car company embarked on a project that would go on to define a new category combining luxury and all-terrain capability in a vehicle – the premium SUV was born.  The new vehicle wore Velar badges in testing, taking its name from the Latin velare – translated ‘to veil’ or ‘cover’ – before being christened Range Rover at launch in 1970.

That same year, Swiss watchmaker Zenith presented a fully working prototype of the world’s first self-winding chronograph movement, which it named ‘El Primero’ – ‘the first’. Capable of recording elapsed times down to one-tenth of a second with its ‘high beat’ oscillator, it was the most accurate wristwatch ever made.

Almost half a century later, this spirit of innovation continues as an integral feature in the DNA of both brands, with the simultaneous introduction of the all-new Range Rover Velar mid-size luxury SUV, and that of a complementary new timepiece. 

The Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Range Rover Velar Special Edition is the second product in a long-term partnership between the two.

The watch features a custom ceramised aluminium case and a high beat movement of 36,000 vibrations per hour (VpH). El Primero Velar is a wrist-worn symbol of the lightweight high performance, elegant simplicity and visually reductive qualities of the all-new member of the Range Rover SUV family.

Following the first co-developed chronograph from the two brands, the El Primero Velar maintains its position as the most precise series mechanical movement on the market. The El Primero Velar features a 42-mm case finished in high contrast burnished copper, a brushed slate grey dial, three chronograph sub-dials, date indicator at six o’clock, and a robust winding crown paired with two functional push pieces. 

The underside of the watch reveals the Range Rover and Velar names engraved on the oscillating weight and the retaining ring of the transparent caseback. El Primero Velar is presented with a new co-developed strap, in sustainable rubber and coated in with dark grey diamond-perforated calfskin. The strap’s calfskin is of the same fine Scottish leather as featured in acclaimed Range Rover interiors, secured with a triple folding clasp in DLC-treated titanium.

Mirroring the glamour, modernity and elegance of the Range Rover Velar, the El Primero chronograph has been designed following an unwavering philosophy of reductionism, while incorporating groundbreaking technology, compelling style and absolute attention to detail.  Perfectly optimized proportions and functionality symbolize the elegant simplicity, sophistication and refinement befitting the Velar nameplate.

Gerry McGovern Land Rover Chief Design Officer, said: “The Range Rover Velar brings a new dimension of modernity, elegance and a touch of glamour to the Range Rover family. The Chronomaster El Primero Range Rover Velar, created with these very same principles, comes with a bloodline like no other and is refined for every occasion. It will stir the emotions.”

Jean-Claude Biver, Zenith CEO and President of LVMH Watch Division, said: “Zenith stands for art, tradition, culture and precision timekeeping. It is essential that we preserve these qualities, as they all belong to our more than 150-year-old DNA. The Chronomaster El Primero Range Rover Velar shows how both companies share a determination to find a harmonious way of connecting our tradition to the future, while showing respect for our iconic products.”


RANGE ROVER VELAR

Designed to fill the space between Range Rover Evoque and Range Rover Sport, Velar offers levels of luxury, refinement and all-terrain capability never before seen in the mid-size SUV segment.

Jaguar Land Rover UK Managing Director, Jeremy Hicks said: “The new Range Rover Velar is a stunning addition to the Range Rover family, it enhances a model line-up that originally defined the luxury SUV segment and continues to do so. Velar brings increased choice to new and existing customers in a growing SUV market. It leads the way in terms of design, usable technology, new materials and of course Land Rover’s legendary go anywhere, do anything capability.”

Velar is defined by a visually reductive approach and meticulous attention to precision in every detail, which evolves the Range Rover DNA.

The SUV’s design is beautifully balanced, from its powerful proportions to its continuous waist line through to the taut tapered lines of the rear. The generous wheelbase contributes significantly to its elegance while helping to provide a spacious interior. 

The large alloy wheels – in particular the range of 22-inch designs – optimise the vehicle’s stunning silhouette, while further enhancing Velar’s dramatic presence.

Advanced technology is pivotal to the contemporary design: the full-LED headlights are the most slender ever to appear on a production Land Rover vehicle. The flush deployable door handles emphasise Velar’s reductive, sculptured form, and contribute to the low drag coefficient from only 0.32 – this is the most aerodynamically efficient Land Rover ever produced.

Look inside Velar’s interior and you will see elegant simplicity, sophistication and refinement.  An unwavering belief in reductionism has been fully employed, with switches being kept to an absolute minimum to help create a calm sanctuary.

Design-enabling technology has been engaged fully to create the new Touch Pro Duo infotainment system which is the centrepiece of Velar’s interior. Touch Pro Duo features two 10-inch high-definition touchscreens integrated seamlessly behind secret-until-lit surfaces. These slim, intuitive displays work in harmony with the cabin architecture while adding an overall sense of modernity congruent with the vehicle’s exterior design. All of this is equalled by Velar’s practicality: luggage compartment volume is an impressive 632 litres including a reduced-section spare wheel as standard in the UK.

Unique in the segment, Velar offers a sustainable, premium textile seat material as an alternative to leather. The Dapple Grey material was developed together with Kvadrat, Europe’s leading manufacturer of high-quality design textiles, and is complemented with Suedecloth inserts in Ebony or Light Oyster.

The light, stiff, aluminium-intensive body, together with double-wishbone front- and Integral Link rear suspension provides the perfect basis for agile handling, superior ride comfort and outstanding refinement. It also delivers exceptional levels of crash protection, and Velar has been developed to meet the most demanding crash test regulations worldwide.

Combined with a comprehensive restraints system that includes six airbags, and a suite of advanced driver assistance systems including Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection, Adaptive Cruise Control with Queue Assist (standard on HSE) and an Adaptive Speed Limiter, Velar integrates the latest safety technology.

Velar features a sophisticated all-wheel drive system, four-corner air suspension, (available on 300 PS Diesel and 380 PS Petrol engines) class-leading ground clearance of up to 251 mm (213 mm with coil springs), class-leading wading depth of up to 650 mm (600 mm with coil springs) and Land Rover’s unmatched suite of traction technologies including Terrain Response 2 (optional) and All Terrain Progress Control (optional). Velar – like all Range Rovers – offers world-class all-terrain capability.

Exceptional performance and efficiency come from the range of six petrol and diesel powertrains, all matched to smooth-shifting ZF eight-speed automatic transmissions and all-wheel drive with Intelligent Driveline Dynamics.

Clean, refined four-cylinder Ingenium diesels are offered in 180 PS and 240 PS variants, noted for their low 142 g/km CO2 emissions and high 500 Nm torque output respectively. These engines are joined by the new, highly-advanced four-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine which delivers 250 PS and enables acceleration from 0-100 kmph in just 6.7 seconds (0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds). An even more powerful, 300PS version of this engine will join the Velar range later in the year.

The V6 diesel combines an extraordinary 700N m of torque for effortless acceleration and off-road capability with CO2 emissions of only 167 g/km. The 380 PS supercharged V6 petrol engine combines exhilarating performance with a unique soundtrack and enables Velar to reach 0-60 mph in only 5.3 seconds (100 kmph in 5.7 seconds) before reaching an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph (250 kmph).           

The Velar and Velar R-Dynamic core range comprises Standard, S, SE or HSE specifications. Customers can also specify Black and Luxury Exterior Packs for an even more distinguished appearance.

Of all Velar models, the most exclusive of all will be the First Edition, which be available worldwide but strictly for one model year only. Even more luxurious than the HSE specification, this model is powered solely by the 3.0-litre V6 petrol and diesel engines and features a wealth of extra features as standard, including full extended leather interior trim to complement the perforated Windsor leather seats in Nimbus or Ebony, 1,600 W Meridian Signature Sound System, Matrix-Laser LED headlights and 22-inch Split-Spoke wheels with diamond-turned finish.

Exterior paint colours for the First Edition are Corris Grey, Silicon Silver, and Flux Silver – a unique satin finish exclusive to the First Edition for the first model year only – which will be meticulously hand-sprayed at Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations’ Oxford Road Technical Centre in the UK.

Designed and engineered at Jaguar Land Rover’s centres in the UK, Velar will be produced at the company’s Solihull production facility, UK. It goes on sale in mid-July in the UK and Europe and in over 170 markets worldwide.