SIHH 2016 – Baume & Mercier Capeland Shelby Cobra 1963 & Capeland Shelby Cobra 1963 Competition (specs & price)

Now that the SIHH is opened, we have already seen the main novelties of IWC, Jaeger, Lange and Vacheron for example. However, we shouldn’t forget another brand, which despite being the most exclusive one also creates interesting and well-priced timepieces. Usually playing on the classical side, this year Baume & Mercier goes bold and sporty. After the first editions we showed you here, here are the new editions of the Baume & Mercier Capeland Shelby Cobra 1963 & Capeland Shelby Cobra 1963 Competition.

The first editions of the Baume & Mercier Capeland Shelby Cobra were of course classical and faithful to the car it pays tribute to. In the common psyche, the Shelby AC Cobra was blue with large white stripping’s. Thus, the watches were showing the same colors, with blue dials, light blue stripes and silver sub-dials (and a few red accents… racing theme obliged). For the SIHH 2016, Baume & Mercier continues the partnership and introduces new editions, also based on the Cobra, but this time not on the entire lineup of cars but on one of the most successful Cobras in history: CSX2128, the 289 Roadster built to conquer the grueling 1963 12 Hours of Sebring race, competing as number 15.

Different inspiration and references now mean new colors – and not one but two editions of the Baume & Mercier Capeland Shelby Cobra: the 1963, with a usual stainless case and the 1963 Competition, with a case partially coated with black ADLC and a rubber strap. The specific car it pays tribute to was black, with yellow stripes – two colors that we now find in the Baume & Mercier Capeland Shelby Cobra. The dial has a black background, rather discreet horizontal stripes, some silvery-white sub-dials and several tips of yellow, for the chronograph hands (central second, 30-minute counter at 3 and 12-hour counter at 6).

Both editions feature a case made in stainless steel and measuring 44mm (as well as sharing the same dial and hands, including the central second hand with Cobra-Shaped counterweight). However, the main difference between the Capeland Shelby Cobra 1963 and the Capeland Shelby Cobra 1963 Competition concerns the finishing of the case. While the first one leaves its case nude (with satined and polished parts), the later (Capeland Shelby Cobra 1963 Competition) has a black ADLC coating (a very strong and resistant type of coating). However, Baume & Mercier decided to leave the bezel non-coated (and polished) as well as the pushers and crown.

Another difference can be seen on the straps: the normal edition of the Baume & Mercier Capeland Shelby Cobra 1963 is delivered on a black alligator leather strap with yellow edges and the Competition edition features a black rubber strap, with a yellow loop. inside these cases ticks an automatic movement, based on a Valjoux 7750.

Prices are not defined yet but expect around 4,000 Euros for the stainless one and 4,500 Euros for the black ADLC editions. www.baume-et-mercier.com.