I love the looks of the 1266. I'm honestly sad they didn't go all the way with the ruggedness for the cables and pads and all. I love heavy-duty and industrial-looking products. Based on my personal opinion alone I can confidently state the looks as well depend on individual tastes and choices.
Never having heard them, I can also just as confidently say that looks and sound aside, there are a plethora of other cons for me that far outweigh any pros (being looks first and foremost, then possibly sound). Looking like a "torture device" as you phrase it, also huge plus to me, currently my Classics and Empyrean hang on a double-ended noose, they will go perfect with the 1266, even more so if I have them on while donning my straitjacket.
I'm done talking, but the aforementioned should be enough of a glimpse of another human's approach to the very same cans. Very different background and priorities.
To get back on topic, the Elites feel a tad too much looks wise with the chrome. Had they had the grille copper like the OG Empyrean's or had them engraved as shown in a couple of the prior comments, that alone would have been a selling point for *me*. Sound is something I've been a tad more flexible with, not overly picky as I'm about enjoying the music. I got the OG without needing to "audition", that will guaranteed be the case for any future headphones I purchase. But unfortunately the looks turn me off too much, I know even if I like the sound I'll find a reason to not care enough to bother dumping money in it. Knowing somewhat what Meze might do, I look forward to an Elite color variation option in the future. Should that happen, my opinions will greatly change.
However, many dig the Elite look, some don't but for them it's ultimately about the sound, a headphone's main purpose is the sound, looks are based on others' perceptions of the cans, if you care about that then that's gonna naturally change how you make decisions and judgments. C'est La Vie, mate.