As the Official Timekeeper and Founding Partner of the Extreme E series, Zenith introduces the Zenith Defy Extreme E “Island X Prix” watch to celebrate the second season of the unique rally race from July 6th-7th and July 9th-10th in Sardinia this year.
The timepiece is inspired by the ultra-lightweight Defy Extreme Carbon, but it leverages upcycled materials reclaimed from the Extreme E racing series. It combines the Island X Prix’s official shade of orange with the carbon design of the previous series.
Defy Extreme E “Island X Prix” comes in an angular 45mm case made from carbon fiber paired with a 12-sided bezel developed from microblasted titanium. We can see scratch-resistant sapphire crystals that cover the dial side and its screw-on case back. The Swiss manufacturer gives users 200 meters of water resistance through the carbon fiber chronograph pushers and screw-in crown.
In addition to its orange Velcro straps, users get additional black rubber and black Velcro straps for strap changes that are made easy with Zenith’s tool-free attachment system.
The new version is powered by the advanced El Primero 9004 self-winding movement, which features two different escapements that help the timekeeping side run at 36,000 vph and the escapement run at a whopping 360,000 vph. It offers a power reserve of approximately 50 hours.
Zenith plans to develop a series of Defy Extreme Carbon watches as an ode to different Extreme E races, this includes the previous version paying tribute to Desert X Prix in Saudi Arabia. And similar to the other versions, the new chronograph has a multi-layered open-worked dial which offers a dial-side view of the advanced high-frequency 1/100th of a second chronograph movement. Super-LumiNova SLN C1 coats the rhodium-plated hands and hour markers to make time-checking easier even in low-light conditions. We can also see the chronograph registers with the skeletonized hour and minute hands.
We can see how the watch promotes Extreme E racing’s call for sustainability through the recycled Continental CrossContact tires from first season races for the Velcro straps plus the waterproof and crush-proof watch case made from various recycled materials, including racing tarpaulin and E-grip tires.
Zenith’s Defy Extreme E timepieces match with the high-tech electric vehicles in the races, designed to withstand extreme and inhospitable environments. The latest addition to the Defy Extreme E capsule collection represents the watchmaker’s ongoing commitment to the racing series in the official colors of the Island X Prix of Sardinia.
Retailing at $27,100 and limited to only 20 pieces worldwide, Zenith Defy Extreme E “Island X Prix” will be available online and at physical Zenith boutiques globally.
Visit the Zenith website for more details.
