SpotlightPushing Boundaries: Introducing The Extremely Lightweight 2023 Zenith Defy Extreme E

Known to push the boundaries of watchmaking, Zenith release the Defy Extreme E timepiece, their lightest ever 1/100th-of-a-second chronograph, for the third season of Extreme E—an off-road rally for electric SUVs, known to push the boundaries of motoring. This Defy Extreme E limited edition features a case made entirely from carbon fibre, a partially-open dial decorated with Extreme E’s official ‘vital green’ colour accents, and mounted on a rubber strap made from upcycled Continental CrossContact tyres used in the first season’s race. The result is an extremely light watch weighing only 96g—strap, buckle, et al—that makes a point about climate change and the need to incorporate innovative solutions to, well, save the planet.

Extreme E For A Sustainable Future

Sanctioned by the FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile), Formula E is a sustainable version of Formula One, with all-electric race cars on an F1 track, intended to promote electric vehicles over petrol- and diesel-powered cars. Also sanctioned by the FIA and an offshoot of Formula E, Extreme E off-road racing takes this idea into the remotest parts of the world impacted by climate change. The terrains of the Extreme E vary—from deserts to Arctic regions, forests to sandy beaches—and so the race is between electric SUVs designed specifically for the extreme challenges the topography and climate demand. With one male and one female driver per team—promoting gender equality is another of Extreme E’s missions—10 teams race through five locations, highlighting global issues and promoting sustainability.

Swiss watchmaking brand Zenith have supported this extreme ‘race for the planet’, since it first started in 2021, creating stunning, limited-edition timepieces with a message. This year, the brand released the lightest ever version of their 1/100th-of-a-second chronograph, for the Hydro X Prix, the second part of the race that was held in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.

Watching Over Extreme E

The Defy Extreme E has been tried and tested in ‘some of the most extreme conditions and environments that Extreme E has provided’. It is crafted entirely from carbon fibre, including the pushers and their protectors, and the triple-folding clasp on the upcycled rubber straps that are ‘infused with materials of upcycled Continental CrossContact tyres’ used in the 2021 season of Extreme E. The watch offers water resistance up to 200m, which is just right for a timepiece made to withstand extreme conditions.

On its multi-layered, partially open-worked, tinted sapphire crystal dial are highlights in teal, Extreme E’s official ‘vital green’ hue

The Defy Extreme E has been tried and tested in ‘some of the most extreme conditions and environments that Extreme E has provided’ and is crafted entirely from carbon fibre

The Defy Extreme E runs on the El Primero 9004 automatic calibre, with two escapements—a timekeeping escapement that beats at 36,000vph, and the chronograph escapement, beating 10 times faster, at 3,60,000vph

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On its multi-layered, partially open-worked, tinted sapphire crystal dial are highlights in teal, Extreme E’s official ‘vital green’ hue. With the small seconds at nine o’clock, 30-minute and 60-second counters at three and six o’clock respectively, and a chronograph power reserve indication at 12 o’clock, the dial is understandably busy. However, with rhodium-plated and faceted hands and indexes coated with Super-LumiNova, legibility is not compromised.

Extremely Star-Struck

The teal-tipped central chronograph hand makes a revolution of the dial in one second, offering the unmatched precision of Zenith’s El Primero 1/100th-of-a-second chronograph. It runs on the El Primero 9004 automatic calibre, with two escapements—a timekeeping escapement that beats at 36,000vph, and the chronograph escapement, beating 10 times faster, at 3,60,000vph.

Limited to only 100 pieces, the Zenith Defy Extreme E Vital Green is delivered in a water-resistant and crushproof case, in keeping with the theme of the rally. The box itself is a case in sustainability, with E-grip recycled tyres and Extreme E racing tarpaulin reused for the packaging. Here’s an eco-friendly watch with a message on environment consciousness, sustainability, equality and the need for an electric future.