The DEFY Extreme E Copper X Prix – a limited edition of 20 pieces – combines carbon fibre and titanium with the earthy tones of the Atacama Desert, while incorporating recycled and upcycled elements from the championship
For the 2022 Extreme E championship, the teams are heading far off the beaten path to South America. One of the world’s foremost copper mining areas and one incorporating an innovative and sustainable approach to its operations, the Atacama Desert, Chile, sets the stage for the unveiling of Zenith’s third special edition watch commemorating an Extreme E race.
The DEFY Extreme E Copper X Prix is designed to take on the electric rally’s thrilling off-road courses in some of the world’s most remote environments. Based on the DEFY Extreme Carbon, the world’s lightest and most robust 1/100th of a second automatic high-frequency chronograph, the DEFY Extreme E “Copper X Prix” incorporates upcycled elements from the championship with the back-to-back races’ official colour of warm coppery-brown.
The timepiece is crafted in lightweight yet highly durable carbon fibre, including the crown and chronograph pushers, with the pusher protectors as well as the twelve-sided bezel made of micro-blasted titanium.
The open multi-layered dial consists of tinted sapphire crystal elements, embellished with coppery-brown accents that evoke the dry, rocky terrain and copper mines of the Chilean desert. Partially visible through the dial as well as the sapphire 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 Copper X Prix logo.
The watch is delivered on a rubber strap infused with materials of upcycled Continental CrossContact tires that were used in the first season’s races. Matching the Copper X Prix copper-brown accents on the dial, the Velcro strap features a black rubber central element surrounded by a brown cordura-effect rubber inlay. 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, are also offered.
The timepiece is packaged in a suitably sturdy waterproof and crushproof watch case inspired by the extreme conditions of the rally, incorporating various upcycled elements from the side-lines of the first season’s races, and will be available exclusively at DEFY Extreme E Copper X Prixphysical and online boutiques.
