Baume & Mercier recently announced two limited edition chronographs to commemorate their new partnership with legendary racecar manufacturer, Shelby American, Inc. “Baume & Mercier teamed up with the iconic brand to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of winning the FIA International Championship in 1965,” according to the watchmaker.
The Capeland Cobra collection consists of a steel and red gold chronograph, the latter being a numbered limited edition. Each version is presented in a 44 mm diameter case that is polished and satin-finished.
The dial of the Capeland Cobra features chronograph counters inspired by the Cobra’s iconic dashboard, and is finished in Shelby’s Guardsman Blue racing color with Superluminova blue emission. Completing the face are Shelby double racing stripes as a subtle accent, and special hours and minutes hands designed in the shape the Cobra steering wheel, with the infamous Cobra logo placed atop the second hand.
Protecting the dial is a domed sapphire crystal with an anti-glare treatment. The back has sapphire crystal, secured by 4 screws and laser engraved with the collection title and the late Carroll Shelby’s own signature.
Inside, the steel version is a La Joux-Perret caliber 8120 beating at 4Hz (28,800 beat per hour). It has 25 jewels, a 42-hour power reserve and a circular-graining finish on the manipulate and bridges. The rotors are adorned with a Geneva strips.
The red gold version is powered by a La Joux-Perret caliber 8147-2, which notably requires a 16.5 mm thick case (versus a 14.9 mm thick case on the steel model). The reason for this is because the red gold model adds a flyback function.
The Capeland Cobra is paired with a black alligator strap, with red calfskin rubber-like lining, grey stitching and triple-folding clasp with security push-pieces. Water-resistance is 50 meters.
All watches in the Capeland Shelby® Cobra collection come with an exclusive miniature of the 427 Cobra, in addition to a custom brochure and card. For those that purchase the 18K red gold flyback chronograph, you will also receive a book detailing the full history of the Cobra, and a complimentary driving experience at the Spring Mountain Race Track in Las Vegas.
The steel Capeland Shelby Cobra 44mm chronograph is limited to a quantity of just 1,965 pieces in recognition of the year in which Carroll Shelby won the championship. The 18k red gold model is limited to just 98 pieces, in tribute to Carroll Shelby’s own Cobra racing number.
The Capeland Cobra collection will launch in global stores and online in June 2015. The steel chronograph will retail for USD4,450 and the 18k red gold version for USD19,950.
