Land Rover Defender inspired Elliot Brown watch made of tough stuff

The original Land Rover Defender might have been axed in 2016, but enthusiasm for the so-called ‘best 4×4 by far’ appears to continue unabated – as evinced by the premium prices people are happy to pay for the best examples.

Land Rover itself has proved keen to capitalise on the world’s continued affection for the famously utilitarian off-roader, last year building a run of 25 Works V8 Trophy continuations based on the Defenders that competed in the Camel Trophy races held in far-flung places during the 1980s and ’90s.

Despite a starting price of £195,000 the edition sold out in just three days – inspiring Land Rover Classic to recently unveil a further 25 Works V8 Trophy II cars, this time costing ‘from’ £225,000 apiece. Based on restored and upgraded late model 90, 110 and 110 double cab Defenders, the V8 Trophy IIs will each feature a unique camouflage design. Concealed within are 23 locations recalling Land Rover’s “off-road and expedition adventures”.

Each buyer gets to take part in a specially devised, three-day off-road competition organised by Land Rover Classic – and will also receive a Competitor Edition watch, above, made by official timekeeper Elliot Brown.

But the good news for those who don’t fancy spending £225,000 in order to become one of the few is that 1000 ‘non competitor’ editions of the watch will also be made. Dorset-based Elliot Brown was launched a decade ago by outdoor enthusiast Ian Elliot (founder of Animal watchstraps) and horologist Alex Brown with the aim of making tough, adventure-ready watches for affordable money.

Its partnership with Land Rover was announced two years ago and it already offers two Land Rover designs based on its quartz-powered Holton. The new Trophy II model is also a Holton underneath but reveals some special features after dark despite its relatively plain appearance in daylight hours. The dial is treated with three colours of luminous material that glow white, ice blue and pale green in a camouflage pattern inspired by the Defender Trophy II’s paintwork.

Within the pattern can be found hidden silhouettes of different Defender models, while the matt-finish, stainless steel case is decorated with a further ‘dazzle’ style camo effect. At the base of the dial at six o’clock, meanwhile, are the words ‘Freezing Point’ and an image of a frozen star at the 32 seconds position (i.e. 32°F). The watch is finished with a practical strap made from soft rubber and fitted with a deployant clasp – and, so you won’t have to wait until after dark to demonstrate its hidden talents, each one is supplied with an ultra violet torch to charge the lume in order to reveal the camouflage dial ‘on demand’.

Land Rover x Elliot Brown Trophy II, £595
elliotbrownwatches.com

TAG Heuer and Porsche continue the partnership formed in 2021 with a special edition Connected smartwatch. Featuring details in Frozen Blue, it has an exclusive ‘face’ based on the look of printed circuit boards and a 45mm case made from sandblasted black titanium. A ceramic bezel marked with a tachymeter scale gives the look of a mechanical model but the software within enables it to pair with Porsche management systems. Once linked, it displays total mileage, electric and petrol range and battery temperature.

TAG Heuer Connected Porsche Special Edition, £2300 approx.
tagheuer.com

It’s not unusual these days for Swiss watch brands to up their cool by commissioning bespoke motorcycles for display use. Raymond Weil is the latest to do so, and details from the black and bronze Triumph Bonneville it ordered from Geneva custom house Meister Engineering have inspired this new chronograph. The 43.5mm watch can be had in full bronze or a combination of bronze and titanium, each paired with a ‘smoke effect’ black dial. Just 300 examples will be available.

Raymond Weil Freelancer Bi-Compax, £3495
raymond-weil.co.uk