Baume & Mercier Capeland Shelby Cobra “Spirit of Competition”
I just don’t know a better way to put this, but if you are a car and watch lover than you need to get up close and personal with the newest generation of the Baume & Mercier Capeland Shelby(R) Cobra watches.
We have written about this stellar timepiece before -and even brought you some superb racing shots out on the track in Vegas and in the Carroll Shelby American factory. It doesn’t matter, though, how many times we write about it- we never tire of the pure muscle power, brains and brawn put into this collection.
Recently on our Perfect Timing column on Forbes.com, we wrote about the new generation — unveiled at SIHH 2016. Here, we bring you that report so that you don’t miss a beat (or a second). It is worth noting that we have a lot more exciting news forthcoming about this watch very soon.
Baume & Mercier Shelby Cobra 1963 Competition
“Last year, Baume & Mercier surprised and delighted us with its exceptional unveiling of the Capeland Shelby(R) Cobra collection of watches. Created in partnership with Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc. in Las Vegas, the line was a captivating success. You can read more about that here.
Now, the brand brings us the newest generation, the Capeland Shelby(R) Cobra and the Capeland Shelby Cobra 1963 Limited Edition Competition watches. The new pieces represent a deft blend of Shelby confidence and endurance, and great Baume & Mercier design and craftsmanship.
The watches celebrate the Shelby Cobra 289 Sebring CSX2128 – one of the more legendary Cobras in history. This was the car first born in Carroll Shelby’s Venice, CA, factory. It was the Cobra that — driven by young and fearless racers of the time – endured the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1963, and then raced to historic glory in 1965 for the FIA Internationals Championship of GT Manufacturers.
Each watch is sold in a presentation box with a model car (photo: R. Naas)
It is in honor of this car and those brave, daring drivers, that Baume & Mercier now releases the Capeland Shelby® Cobra 1963 chronographs. Each of the two new watches is powered by the Swiss-made self-winding caliber Valjoux 7753 that offers chronograph, date and 48 hours of power reserve. Both are built in polished and satin-finished steel, and each embodies the same black and yellow=striped color code of the venomous car.
Both versions are equipped with a striking black dial, accented with silver, with racing yellow colors for the chronograph counter and unique Cobra hand. The Cobra logo (the actual snake head) marks the ever-important seconds hand of the chronograph, and claims the rightful spot as a symbol of the timeless pursuit of speed.
Each watch features a tachymeter for measuring speed, and is equipped with green light emission SuperLuminova markers and anti-glare crystals for easy readability. 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 to the year that witnessed the birth of this car. One of the watches if finished with a black leather strap with yellow interior, while the Competition model is fitted with an integrated rubber strap. All of the watches are sold in a special black and yellow box that includes a miniature model of the Cobra 289 Sebring CSX2128. The estimated retail is just about $4,500 – a real steal considering the shred values of the two brand’s when it comes to pedigree, precision and performance.
