Zenith: DEFY Extreme E Island X Prix
8 July 2022The second season of Extreme E is at full throttle. As the teams prepare for the first part of the double header Island X Prix this weekend on the Italian island of Sardinia, ZENITH is unveiling the second edition of its special series crafted for the electric rally racing championship of which it continues its role as Official Timekeeper and Founding Partner. Based on the DEFY Extreme Carbon, the world’s lightest and most rugged 1/100th of a second automatic high-frequency chronograph, the DEFY Extreme E “Island X Prix” incorporates upcycled elements from the championship with the back-to-back races’ official colour in vivid orange.
Inspired by the world of motorsports and built to take on Extreme E’s adrenaline-infused off-road courses in some of the wildest and most remote locations around the world, the new DEFY Extreme E “Island X Prix” edition is crafted in carbon fiber “crown and chronograph pushers included” with pusher protectors and twelve-sided bezel of the 45 mm case made in microblasted titanium.
The dashboard of this race-inspired chronograph is an open multi-layered dial with tinted sapphire crystal elements, embellished with fiery orange accents evoking the scorching-hot temperatures of the Italian island during the summer season. Partially visible through the dial as well as the case back is the fastest automatic high-frequency chronograph El Primero 9004 calibre in production, offering 1/100th of a second time measurements, with two escapements independently beating at 5Hz (36’000 VpH) for the timekeeping part and 50Hz (360’000 VpH) for the chronograph function. The movement is also visible through the sapphire display back, emblazoned with the Island X Prix logo.
In line with the message of sustainability that’s at the core of Extreme E and the ZENITH HORIZ-ON initiative, the DEFY Extreme E “Island X Prix” is delivered with a rubber strap infused with materials of recycled Continental CrossContact tires that were used in the first season’s races. Matching the Island X Prix bright orange accents on the dial, the Velcro strap features a black rubber central element surrounded by an orange cordura-effect rubber inlay. The DEFY Extreme E “Island X Prix” edition also comes with two additional straps in black rubber and black Velcro, which can be easily swapped without any tools by using the case back’s ingenious and intuitive quick strap-change mechanism.
The DEFY Extreme E “Island X Prix” comes packaged in a suitably sturdy waterproof and crushproof watch case inspired by the extreme conditions of the rally, incorporating various recycled and upcycled elements from the side-lines of the first season’s races. The case’s lid coating is made from recycled E-grip tires, while the plate covering is made from parts of an Extreme E Season 1 racing tarpaulin.
The new DEFY Extreme E “Island X Prix” will be made in a limited edition of only 20 pieces and will be available at ZENITH physical and online boutiques around at the world at the price of €