Baume et Mercier and car designer Peter Brock produce new Clifton Club Shelby Cobra CSX2299

Baume et Mercier stands out for the success of its collaborative timepieces.

Its new Clifton Club Shelby Cobra CSX2299 stole the spotlight with a look that pays homage to the iconic Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe from the mid-1960s. Car designer Peter Brock, who worked closely with Shelby on the Daytona Coupé design, collaborated with Baume et Mercier to ensure its authenticity. The timepiece is limited to 196 pieces, in honour of the record-breaking 315km/h speed the car was famous for reaching.

Inside the timepiece ticks a manufacture automatic movement, the La Joux-Perret 8147-2, with flyback chronograph function. It comes with a 42-hour power reserve.

The curves on the 44mm timepiece draw inspiration from the aerodynamic lines of the racing car, while the chronograph counters, with touches of red, are reminiscent of the Daytona’s dashboard. The chronograph push buttons are made in the likeness of the original car’s foot pedals, and the seconds hand features the iconic Cobra logo designed by Brock himself. One of the sportiest looking and excellently executed visual reference is the oscillating weight, designed to replicate the look of the Daytona’s wheels and which can be admired through the caseback.

The most captivating detail, however, is the dial’s face, which is split vertically and coloured white on the left and blue on the right. This unusual bi-colour combination works as a throwback to the Daytona’s own half blue/half silver livery.

Also part of the presentation was the Clifton Club, a new collection that shows Baume et Mercier’s savoir faire in producing beautiful, minimalist timepieces.

Designed for the “gentle sportsman”, the 42mm watches are only 10.3mm thick, and suitable for work and play functions. The new range of diving watches come with a blue or black face, and are complemented by orange accents that make for a relaxed, sophisticated look. The rotating bezel is unidirectional and has 120 notches for greater precision. Superluminova finishing on the hour and
minute hands also speak to the sporty nature.

The watches are powered by a Swiss-made mechanical self-winding movement and come with a 48-hour power reserve. Five models are available in combinations of black and blue face paired with either a stainless steel bracelet or a brand- exclusive “All Road” calfskin strap with embossed fabric. An all-black version comes with a black sand-blasted ADLC coated case and a black vulcanised rubber strap.

Also presented were new My Classima watches, an extension of the popular Classima line. Inspired by a heritage piece from the 1940s, the timepieces feature a white or blue face paired with a steel case and a date aperture at
3 o’clock. The watches look and feel classical, thanks to a round face and steel case. The watches, powered by a quartz movement, reinforce the brand’s belief in providing beautiful watches at affordable prices. Three case sizes are available: 31mm, 36.5mm, and 40mm. All watches are water resistant to 50m.