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| Capeland Shelby Cobra 18k Red Gold Flyback Chronograph |
It’s a Swiss watch made for an iconic American racing car and its creator.
The Shelby Daytona Cobra status as an iconic racing car was sealed 50 years ago when it finished first in 11 out of 20 races to be crowned 1965 FIA GT champions. The small American car maker and its team of drivers beat the best-known and most-established car manufacturers in the racing world, including the nearly unbeatable, Ferrari team. The unlikely victory also established the car company’s founder and former champion driver, Carroll Shelby (January 11, 1923 – May 10, 2012), as the first individual to win the title as a driver, team manager and manufacturer.
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| Modern-day replica of the Shelby Cobra |
Luxury Swiss watch brand Baume & Mercier honored the 50th anniversary of this achievement by creating the Capeland Shelby Cobra, modeled after the car that is now one of the most sought after collectibles in the racing world.
Each timepiece in the Capeland Shelby Cobra collection is designed to capture the spirit and power of the Cobra.
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| Capeland Shelby Cobra Steel Chronograph |
The dial of the watch is made in the Cobra’s livery, combining its classic “Guardsman Blue” racing color with transparent dual racing stripes. At the center of the design is the Cobra logo, forged into the seconds hand. The hours and minutes hands are in the shape of the Cobra’s steering wheel. The a sapphire crystal case back is engraved with the collection title and Carroll Shelby’s signature. The 44mm case is available in polished and satin-finished stainless steel or 18k red gold. There are two limited editions of this watch, both powered by Swiss-made La Joux-Perret automatic movements.
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| The caseback of the Capeland Shelby Cobra |
The Capeland Shelby Cobra Steel Chronograph comes with a black alligator strap with red calfskin rubber-like lining, grey stitching and triple-folding clasp with security push-pieces. It is limited to 1,965 pieces.
The Capeland Shelby Cobra 18k Red Gold Flyback Chronograph, as the name of the watch implies, features a flyback function for the chronograph and comes in 18k gold. The black alligator strap is offset by an 18k red gold buckle, Cobra blue round-scale alligator lining and red stitching. Owners of this particular watch will also receive a book detailing the full history of the Cobra. It is limited to 98 pieces.
The timepieces will be available in June.
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| Alain Zimmermann, Baume & Mercier CEO, presents a Capeland Shelby Cobra to Bob Bondurant |
The Baume & Mercier team, including Alain Zimmermann, Baume & Mercier CEO, and Rudy Chavez, president of Baume & Mercier North America, came to Las Vegas in March to unveil the watches at Shelby American headquarters during two days of events honoring the 50th anniversary of Shelby Daytona Cobra’s landmark victory. Among those being honored was Bob Bondurant, the most famous member of the Shelby American racing team, Peter Brock, the man who designed the Shelby Daytona Cobra, and Chuck Cantwell, Shelby project engineer during the time the iconic Shelby Daytona Cobra was built.
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| Alain Zimmermann, Baume & Mercier CEO, presents a Capeland Shelby Cobra to Peter Brock |
Events included a tour of Shelby American headquarters where the company makes limited edition Shelby Mustang GTs in a collaboration with Ford that dates back to the Shelby Cobra days; and modern-day replicas of its famous vehicles, including the Shelby Cobra. In addition, several hours were spent at Spring Mountain Track, where people had a chance to ride a Shelby Cobra replica and Shelby Mustang GTs.
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| Yours truly in the passenger seat at Spring Mountain Track |
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