Introduced in 2022, the Defy Extreme E collection was created in collaboration with the all-electric rally championship it is named for, Extreme E, the first racing championship born out of concern for the climate crisis. Billed as the future of rally racing, this thrilling motor racing event has distinguished itself as a revolutionary form of motorsport, providing awe-inspiring performances in the most remote environments worldwide while raising awareness about the fragility of our planet’s different ecosystems and the tangible threats of climate change and promote positive action to protect our planet’s future.
In addition, Extreme E is the first motorsport event offering women racers equal opportunities. Each team is required to have a man and a woman as drivers, each sharing an equal amount of time behind the wheel of their emissions-free rally car.
Zenith, the official timekeeper of Extreme E, has since commemorated this eco-focused rally with a range comprising five special Defy models — the Desert X Prix, Island X Prix, Copper X Prix, Energy X Prix and, now, the Second Edition — each sporting Velcro straps fashioned from recycled tyres.
The pieces are distinguished by the use of different hues. The Desert X Prix, Island X Prix, Copper X Prix and Energy X Prix adorn yellow, orange, copper-coloured, and purple contrasting accents found on the tinted sapphire dial and, most notably, the straps. These highlights add vibrance to the otherwise grey carbon-fibre cases, replete with titanium elements. The cases, offering water resistance at depths of up to 200 metres, measure 45 mm in diameter. The latest addition, commemorating the 2023 instalment of Extreme E, is no different, featuring “Vital Green” contrasting accents.
Driving these special-edition timepieces is the Le Locle-based brand’s renowned El Primero 21 1/100th of a second movement. The high-frequency (5 Hz) automatic chronograph calibre provides a minimum power reserve of 50 hours.
This year, the Extreme E drivers set off to an electric shoosh on 11 (to 12) March in Neom, Saudi Arabia. The second race took place over the past weekend (13-14 May) at Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland, with the third and fourth races scheduled for the weekend sof 8 July in Sardinia, Italy and 16 September in the Amazon or USA. The fifth and final race takes place on the second and third December in Chile.