Right after a successful presentation of the Capeland Shelby Cobra 1965 to celebrate the collaboration between Baume & Mercier and the Carroll Shelby Company, the brand launched two limited editions of a new version named ‘’ Baume & Mercier Capeland Shelby Cobra 1963 ‘’ during SIHH 2016.
As we have expressed before there is always a connection between cars and watches. There is a number of watch companies which are related with car manufacturers. Baume & Mercier has found a brand partner in the legendary name of Motorsports World ‘’ Carroll Shelby international ‘’.
Here we have another limited version of that brand partnership which tributes to the racing spirit of the 1960s, when the Cobras were the ones to collect the prizes.
The company is named after the cult figure of the American racing Carroll Shelby, who set 16 records. See: http. The Shelby Cobra is his legacy based on a British AC roadster with a lot of American Muscle.
The new Capeland Shelby Cobra 1963 is pretty much the same with its predecessor under the hood. It is powered with a La Joux-Perret modified Valjoux 7750 automatic movement.
With a WR rating of 50M the timepiece comes in a black PVD coated stainless steel case. 44mm diameter case features double sapphire crystals on both sides allowing the highly decorated and customized movement thru the case back.
The bezel and the stainless steel part of the case back are left in their natural (mirror polished) form i.e. not PVD coated. The case back sports informative engravings about the watch including a limited edition No. The oscillating rotor is ionized in matt black and the sapphire part of the case back is decorated with the racing with No.15 to recall the record breaking race car Shelby Cobra.
The large but flat winding crown and the pushers are left un-coated as well which allows them to match nicely with the silver chronograph sub dials.
Unlike the first version the tachymeter index is printed in yellow instead of white and the dial is now designed in black color. The size and shape of the Arabic numerals allow the hours to be clearly read while the use of two silvered sub-dials and one black sub-dial brings a touch of racing spirit which the watch is inspired by.
The new Capeland Shelby Cobra 1963 we have here sports a very comfortable rubber strap in black color. The wide ridged design detail of the strap fits the sports theme perfectly. One of the holders on the strap is colored in yellow to match with the yellow accents on the dial. The double folding clasp Works safe and smooth with its push button release system and matches with the watch nicely thanks to its combined satin brushed and mirror polished finishing.
I believe the new Capeland Shelby Cobra 1963 would be a spot on alternative for the watch aficionados with a taste of Motorsports Heritage, just like its predecessor. The black PVD coating gives the watch a contemporary look while the yellow accents and silver sub dials prevent the all black stealth look which may hurt the vintage feel. Overall, another cool timepiece from Baume & Mercier and Caroll Shelby Company with an amazing look and admiring inspiration.