Binoculars have been around for centuries, playing a key role in military operations, astronomy and ornithology, with many other uses as well. The beauty of this technology lies in its commonality and use amongst professionals and hobbyists alike. A wide range of price points make it easy to find a pair that fits your needs.
However, visually it’s a product that could use a little boost. That’s where Leica comes in. For nearly 170 years, the camera and optics company has been cranking out beautifully designed products. A new collaboration with Italian carmaker Zagato has rendered a limited edition run of 1,000 of the most gorgeous binoculars we have ever seen.
Leica Ultravid 8X32 Edition Zagato combines craftsmanship with a stunning aluminum design. Hundreds of finite lines have been elaborately milled into the outer shell, which creates a unique look from a far and painstaking detail up close. Leica notes the “unique haptic sensation” that comes with this design when articulating the binoculars.
Bright red anodized rings highlight the lens area against an otherwise monotone silver and black design. Zagato is inscribed into this area, paying homage to Ugo Zagato, a famous automotive industry designer. A custom case with matching carrying and hand strap made of genuine Italian leather are included with each order.
Only 1,000 pieces of the Leica Ultravid 8X32 Edition Zagato will be made available to the general public. Select Leica retailers and boutiques will have inventory in September with a price tag of roughly $3,800.
Leica a little out of your price range? Check out this best-selling pair of binoculars over at Amazon.
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[9to5-press-release]
Italian automotive atelier meets Leica binocular
The Leica Ultravid 8×32 ‘Edition Zagato’
Leica Camera AG, Wetzlar, presents in collaboration with Zagato, the Italian automotive Atelier and Total Design Center, a special limited edition: the Leica Ultravid 8×32 ‘Edition Zagato’. Uniting the values shared by both classical companies – premium quality, craftsmanship and tradition – the Leica Ultravid 8×32 ‘Edition Zagato’ combines unique design with cutting-edge technologies.
The outer shell of the ‘Edition Zagato’ is manufactured from aluminium and its front lenses feature two red anodised rings inscribed with ‘Zagato’. In an elaborate process, hundreds of fine grooves have been milled into the surface of the aluminium shell to lend this pair of Leica binoculars previously unseen stylish looks and a unique haptic sensation.
The Leica Ultravid 8×32 ‘Edition Zagato’ is strictly limited to only 1,000 examples for the entire global market. In addition to the binoculars, the edition also includes a case designed by Zagato and a matching carrying strap and hand strap in genuine Italian leather. The Leica Ultravid 8×32 ‘Edition Zagato’ will be available from September 2015 at selected Leica Stores and Boutiques.
Zagato was founded in Milan in 1919 by Ugo Zagato, who is famous for having been the first in the automotive industry to apply aviation’s advanced, lightweight technology to design more aerodynamic car bodies. With these principles, Zagato became an iconic racing champion of the world’s greatest competitions and even today remains a leading international marque for classic, lightweight, aerodynamic, sporting-lifestyle collectible cars.
Zagato’s Atelier and Total Design Center remains in Milan, where it continues to design and build unique, limited-series collectible cars. Earlier this year, the Atelier presented the Zagato Mostro powered by Maserati to the international public at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. The Mostro pays tribute to the historic, one-off Maserati 450 S Zagato from 1957, nicknamed “the Monster,” which is one of the most precious collector cars in the world today.
Leica Sport Optics and Zagato will be publicly presenting the Leica Ultravid 8×32 ‘Edition Zagato’ for the first time on 6 September 2015 in the course of the Chantilly Concours d’Elegance in France.
About Leica Camera AG
Leica Camera AG is an internationally operating premium-segment manufacturer of cameras and sport optics products. Leica Camera AG has its headquarters in Wetzlar, in the state of Hesse in Germany, and a second production site in Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal. The company operates branch offices in England, France, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, South Korea, Italy, Australia and the USA. New and innovative products have been the driving force behind the company’s positive development in recent years.
About Zagato
Today, Zagato is an Atelier of the third millennium and Total Design Center expressing Italian excellence through the creation and limited-production of avant-garde, collectible cars that are lightweight and aerodynamic. Under the guidance of the Zagato family’s third-generation, Andrea Zagato and his wife Marella Rivolta Zagato, the firm has continued developing upon its legacy of innovative styling and advanced engineering by applying the same Milanese philosophies of functionalism and rationalism as Founder Ugo Zagato had nearly a century ago. Its portfolio of internationally-renowned, automotive projects includes Aston Martin, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Maserati, Bentley, Lamborghini and Porsche.
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