ZENITH Unveils Second Defy Extreme E Special Edition at Island X Prix

By Haute Time July 13, 2022

With the second season of Extreme E well underway, ZENITH unveiled the second Defy Extreme E Special Edition at the Island X Prix in Sardinia.

Photo Credit: ZENITH

ZENITH proudly boasts the title of Extreme E’s official timekeeper and founding partner. The innovative Swiss watchmaker unveiled the second edition of its special series, which was crafted for the electric rally racing championship. 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 up-cycled elements from the championship with the back-to-back races’ official color in vivid orange.

The DEFY Extreme E “Island X Prix” edition is 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 limited-edition watch is crafted in incredibly light yet highly robust carbon fiber, including the crown and chronograph pushers. Emphasizing the boldly angular geometry of the case, the pusher protectors as well as the twelve-sided bezel are made in micro-blasted titanium.

Photo Credit: ZENITH

The face of the DEFY Extreme E “Island X Prix” is an open multi-layered dial with tinted sapphire crystal elements, embellished with fiery orange accents. The official color of the Island X Prix, from which the watch is inspired, evokes 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 caliber 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.

The DEFY Extreme E “Island X Prix” aligns with the message of sustainability that’s at the core of Extreme E and the ZENITH HORIZ-ON initiative. The watch 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. Two additional straps in black rubber and black Velcro are included. The straps can be easily swapped without any tools by using the case back’s ingenious and intuitive quick strap-change mechanism.

Photo Credit: ZENITH

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 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 the world.