If you’re a car fool, like me, you probably also love fine mechanical timepieces. Great watches are another of my sicknesses, from which I hope I never recover. Along those lines, I thought you might enjoy this news announcement from Baume & Mercier and Shelby American.
NEW YORK CITY – March 28, 2016 – Baume & Mercier has announced a new timepiece, the Capeland Shelby® Cobra watch that honors the spirit of competition. A partner of Carroll Shelby Licensing since 2015, Baume & Mercier is honoring the Shelby spirit of endurance with this limited edition chronograph inspired by one of the most successful Cobras in history, CSX2128. This is the 289 Cobra roadster built to conquer the grueling 12 Hours of Sebring race in 1963. Best known for wearing the number 15 on the door of the black with a yellow stripe racecar, this Cobra helped turn Carroll Shelby’s dreams of glory into reality.
Baume & Mercier designed the second edition of the Capeland Shelby® Cobra to honor the endurance and skill of the men who raced that car. Shelby placed his Cobras in the hands of a Dan Gurney, Lew Spencer, Dave MacDonald, Ken Miles and Allen Grant, among others.They were a perfect reflection of the man who led them: young, courageous and brash.
Inspired by the Cobra’s performance, the Swiss-made self-winding movement combines quality and flawless accuracy with the highest standards. The case back is engraved with the name of the collection, as well as the words “one out of 1963” in reference to the number of limited-edition pieces and the year which saw the Cobra’s first victory at the American championship. As a final tribute, the sapphire crystal features the CSX2128’s famous number 15 race number. All these elements combine to make the new Capeland Shelby Cobra a unique watch.
A glance at the face reveals a layout modeled after the Cobra’s historic dashboard, with asymmetrical chronograph counters. The deep black dial and the transparent twin horizontal racing stripes pay further homage to this special Cobra, as do hands that mirror the Cobra’s steering wheel.
Completing the design is the Cobra logo itself, forged into the second hand of the chronograph as a symbol of the timeless pursuit of speed. Finally, the tachymeter function – highly useful in determining speeds during a race – encircles and highlights all of these attributes. The final touch of green light emission Superluminova combined with anti-glare technology on the dial ensures perfect clarity.
These unique chronographs are available with a black alligator strap with a rubberized yellow lining or with a black vulcanized rubber strap, both fastened by a triple folding buckle with safety catches. This second strap is made from the same material as the wheels of the race car. Each chronograph in the Capeland Shelby® Cobra collection embodies the sheer power and legendary performance of the Cobra.