PRIM Dakar LIAZ 1985

Anniversary edition celebrating 40 years since the first Czechoslovak success at the Dakar Rally.

Courage, perseverance and the desire to overcome the impossible. All of this was behind the legendary success of the Czechoslovak LIAZ truck crew in 1985, when they first set out on the world’s toughest rally – Paris-Dakar. In honor of this historical milestone, a limited collection of PRIM Dakar LIAZ 1985 watches was created, numbering only 40 pieces.

A remarkable anniversary calls for a remarkable watch. That’s why we chose carbon fiber for the case – a material closely connected to the world of cars and racing. Each watch is a true original thanks to its unique structure.

Inside ticks a Swiss chronograph caliber 5020.B, ensuring precision even in demanding conditions. The sporty character is complemented by 10 ATM water resistance and a screw-down crown.

• The white matte dial is decorated with stripes inspired by the LIAZ truck, which continue onto the FKM strap featuring matching stitching.
• The beveled indexes are hand-brushed and finished with luminescent blue for readability in low-light conditions.
• The chronograph subdials feature a “cd” texture, framed with contrasting yellow and blue accents.
• At the 12 o’clock position, you’ll find a unique index in the shape of a keffiyeh, while the 6 o’clock position features a big date complication.
• The blue minute track is complemented by highlighted yellow numerals.
• The hands have a brushed surface and a luminescent fill, while the chronograph stopwatch hand features a checkered start/finish flag pattern.

The overall look is completed by a white ceramic tachymeter bezel, tuned to the traditional LIAZ colours. A subtle detail is the Dakar LIAZ engraving on the inner side of the case.

The stainless steel case is thematically designed – on it you will find a map of the 1985 Dakar Rally route, a starting number, a historic keffiyeh with the T.S.O. marking, and the names of the crew members. Color details are highlighted with oil-fill technology. The limited edition number is stamped in an unconventional way – on the side of the case.

Elapsed time is displayed on the sub-dial at the 9 o’clock position: the larger hand measures up to 30 minutes, while the smaller hand shows a time period of up to 12 hours.

This edition is fitted with a strap made of FKM – one of the most durable elastomers used today, commonly found in motorsport and aerospace. For maximum comfort, the top side is covered with leather, while the underside remains soft FKM silicone.

Each watch comes in a themed box with a warranty certificate and a service card. As part of the limited edition, you’ll also receive a unique 1985 LIAZ model kit, signed by the legendary crew members themselves.

Protection and durability – the keffiyeh offers protection from sun, wind, and sand. Just like Dakar racers need to protect themselves – whether in Africa, or today in South America and Saudi Arabia.

A simple but powerful symbol – the covered face stands for universality. It doesn’t show a specific person; it could be any racer, any explorer.

Tradition and respect – the logo refers to the culture and environment where Dakar originated. The desert remains the heart of the race, and the keffiyeh is its most iconic symbol.

The newer logo is more than just a graphic mark – it’s a message. It reminds us that Dakar is not only a motor race, but also a battle against nature, a journey through cultures, and a story of courage. The keffiyeh in the logo symbolizes the adventurer who faces the desert, no matter where they come from.

The keffiyeh was also the logo of the Paris-Dakar race, which Thierry Sabine used until his death.

In 1985, LIAZ trucks faced one of the toughest challenges imaginable for both man and machine – the Paris–Dakar Rally. For twenty-two days, the drivers battled the African wilderness, fatigue, and untested technology. They were pioneers who dared to venture into the unknown–and succeeded.

The first steps toward participation were taken in 1983 by a team consisting Jiří Moskal, doc. Ing. Zdeněk Kovář, CSc. and Ing. Radek Fencl . In spring 1984, the project got the green light, and with the help of experienced Frenchman Alaina Galland, the first racing specials were built. At the start of the 7th Dakar Rally, vehicles with starting numbers 626 and 627 lined up.

While truck number 626 didn’t finish the race, the crew of number 627 – Moskal, Joklík, and Fencl – made it all the way to the finish line. In their debut appearance, they secured an impressive 13th place and earned their place in the history of Czechoslovak motorsport.

• Jiří Moskal (born on May 3, 1948, in Jablonec nad Nisou) is a former Czech rally raid driver who competed in the Dakar Rally four times in the truck category, achieving remarkable results – finishing 13th in 1985, 3rd in 1987, and an impressive 2nd place in 1988. Before Dakar, he also stood out in domestic motorsport, winning the Cup of Peace and Friendship in 1981. Paměť národa.
• Radek Fencl was an engineer and test technician at LIAZ, and in 1985 he was part of the first Czechoslovak team to finish the Paris–Dakar Rally in the truck category. He tragically passed away in 2001.
• Jaroslav Joklík was the third member of the crew alongside Moskal and Fencl – together, they proved that the LIAZ truck could withstand the extreme conditions of the desert Dakar. As a team, they contributed to the first successful finish of a Czechoslovak truck in the Dakar Rally.