ZENITH, the Official Timekeeper and Founding Partner of Extreme E, presents the second edition of its special series crafted for the electric rally racing championship.

ZENITH released this limited edition watch on 6th July 2022 marking the first part of the double header Island X Prix on the Italian island of Sardinia.

In February this year, ZENITH launched the Defy Extreme E “Desert X Prix” Edition to mark the Desert X Prix in Neom, Saudi Arabia. It was the first release of the five special editions of the DEFY Extreme Carbon dedicated to the electric rally racing championship.

The second model in this special series is the Zenith DEFY Extreme E “Island X Prix”. This limited edition is based on the DEFY Extreme Carbon, the world’s lightest and most rugged 1/100th of a second automatic high-frequency chronograph. It incorporates upcycled elements from the championship with the back-to-back races’ official colour in vivid orange.

The DEFY Extreme E “Island X Prix” edition is crafted in extremely light yet highly robust carbon fibre, including the crown and chronograph pushers. The pusher protectors and twelve-sided bezel are made in microblasted titanium.

The open multi-layered dial with tinted sapphire crystal is embellished with fiery orange accents – the official colour of the “Island X Prix”.

Partially visible through the dial as well as the sapphire display case back is the fastest automatic high-frequency chronograph calibre in production, offering1/100th 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 sapphire crystal case-back is 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 Cross Contact 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 Zenith 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 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.

Technical details

Model: Zenith Defy Extreme E “Island X Prix” Edition
Reference: 10.9100.9004-4/26.I305

Movement
El Primero 9004 automatic
1/100th of a second Chronograph movement
Frequency 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)
Power reserve min. 50 hours
1 escapement for the Watch (36,000 VpH – 5 Hz)
1 escapement for the Chronograph (360,000 VpH – 50 Hz)
Finishes: Black colored main plate on movement + Special black colored oscillating weight with satined finishings

Functions
1/100th of a second chronograph functions
Chronograph power-reserve indication at 12 o’clock
Hours and minutes in the centre
Small seconds at 9 o’clock, Central chronograph hand that makes one turn each second, 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, 60-second counter at 6 o’clock

Case
Material: Carbon & Microblasted Titanium
Diameter: 45mm
Screwed-in crown
Special engraving on case back with “Island X Prix” logo
Water resistance: 20 ATM

Dial
Sapphire dial
Tinted sapphire with three black-coloured counters
Hour markers: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1
Hands: Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1

Bracelet
Orange Velcro bracelet made with parts of Continental recycled tires
Full Interchangeable strap system

Additional straps
Rubber strap with a black micro-blasted titanium folding buckle & Velcro strap with carbon buckle

Price
26,900 CHF