Zenith makes great watches that look like robot turds. This is a complement. To wit: the latest Zenith Defy Extreme E in Island X Prix livery. This wild watch was made in honor of the Island X Prix, a race on the Island of Sardinia that is famous for its arid terrain and bright orange race colors.
From the release:
The dashboard of this futuristic race-inspired chronograph is an open multi-layered dial with tinted sapphire crystal elements, embellished with fiery orange accents – the official colour of the “Island X Prix” – 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 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 watch comes in a limited edition of 20 and will cost a hefty $27,622. If you’re planning on driving a car through the desert this might be helpful.
