The 2023 season of the Extreme E rally series kicked off last weekend in Neom, a planned smart city in Tabuk Province in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Swiss luxury watch brand Zenith is a founding partner of the electric off-road racing championship and has been the official timekeeper since its inaugural race in 2021. To mark the beginning of the third season, Zenith has revealed a one-of-a-kind box set that includes all four Defy Extreme E Season 2 timepieces – all bearing the special limited edition number of “0/20”. Each of the four limited edition watches bears the official colors of a championship race: Yellow for Desert X Prix, orange for Island X Prix, purple for Energy X Prix, and coppery-brown for Copper X Prix.
The Extreme E all-electric rally racing championship focuses on spreading sustainability and environmental awareness, and the limited edition chronograph watches along with the unique box that houses them follow the same philosophy. All four rugged watches are made using carbon fiber and sandblasted titanium, while their rubber straps are infused with materials upcycled from Continental CrossContact tires that were used in the first season’s races. The watches are mechanically identical to each other and are powered by the high-frequency 1/100th of a second El Primero 21 movement.
The bespoke waterproof and crushproof watch case is said to be inspired by the extreme conditions of the championship. Various upcycled elements from the sidelines of the first season’s races are incorporated into its construction. The lid’s coating is made from E-grip recycled tires, while the plate covering is made from parts of an Extreme E racing tarpaulin. In addition to the bespoke box and the four collectible watches, the buyer will receive rare collectibles, including a helmet from season 2 signed by Extreme E teams and drivers. Furthermore, the buyer will also gain access to unique experiences, which include an invitation to one race from this year, a VIP pass and accommodation aboard the St Helena ship for one night, and a rare opportunity to spend time with Extreme E founder Alejandro Agag and Zenith CEO Julien Tornare on the sidelines of the race. The pricing of the set has not been revealed.
