Enthusiastically partnering Carroll Shelby Inc. since 2015, Baume & Mercier is proud to honor the spirit of endurance, performance and innovation embodied by Carroll Shelby through introducing the one-of-a-kind Capeland Shelby Cobra CSX 2000. On August 19th, 2016 in Monterey, California, this exceptional watch will be presented for auction by RM Sotheby’s to coincide with the highly anticipated sale of CSX 2000, the very rst Shelby Cobra built in 1962 by the American motor sports genius, Carroll Shelby.

THE SHELBY COBRA CSX2000, A LEGENDARY CAR

The Shelby® Cobra is to the United States what the Porsche 911 is to Germany and the Ferrari 250 GTO to Italy: a true legend. On August 19th, the car that started it all, CSX 2000 - the very first Shelby Cobra and arguably the most important modern American car – will be presented for sale by the world’s largest collector car auction house, RM Sotheby’s. Offered by the Carroll Hall Shelby Trust, the car was constructed and kept from new by the legendary Carroll Shelby and never left his ownership.

The original Shelby Cobra, CSX 2000 marked the start of Carroll Shelby’s incredible automotive legacy. The car was born in 1962 in a small garage in Santa Fe Springs, California, after Carroll Shelby, joined by a handful of hot-rodders, shoehorned Ford’s new, lightweight, high revving 260-cubic inch V-8 into a modified AC Ace chassis. The result—a fierce sports car armed with incredible performance in a lithe, stylish package—became the cornerstone on which the great Carroll Shelby set the world on fire and forever changed the course of automotive history.

CSX 2000 played a multitude of roles during its early days. As the only one of its kind, it was not only used in testing and development, but also driven by the motoring press, and shown in cities across the U.S. to drum up interest and sales for the fledgling company, Shelby American, Inc. During this time, thanks to clever marketing, Shelby also convinced the public that Cobra production was in full swing; the car was repainted a different color for almost every appearance to give the impression that Shelby had more than one car in their inventory.

Throughout its life, even after Cobra production ended, CSX 2000 never shied away from public view, nor did it change ownership. It has been featured in countless books and magazines, continually driven and critiqued in road tests, and a frequent motor show starlet. It was even used for a period of time by employees at the Carroll Shelby School of High Performance Driving. To commemorate the 50th anniver- sary of the Shelby Cobra in 2012, CSX 2000 took center stage at some of the country’s most prominent events that year. Since then, it has been a prominent and much-admired display at the Shelby Heritage Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

A truly unprecedented event, its presentation at RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale will command the attention of the world’s leading collectors.

AN EXCEPTIONAL WATCH FOR A LEGENDARY CAR!

In line with the Capeland Shelby® Cobra chronographs designed for those who appreciate the value of endurance and a sense of risk, Baume & Mercier is introducing a one-of-a-kind watch to celebrate its partnership with Carroll Shelby Inc. and the forthcoming sale of the CSX 2000 car. Like a horological salute to surpassing personal limits, this 44 mm-diameter Capeland Shelby® Cobra CSX2000 Edition flyback chronograph in 18K red gold will be offered without reserve and sold to the highest bidder at the August 19 auction. Its personality reflects the aesthetic codes of CSX 2000, the very first Shelby Cobra.

Carroll Shelby’s beloved cobra emblem is featured on the counterweight of the chronograph hand, while the hours and minutes hands are shaped like a steering wheel. The domed ash-toned dial is highlighted by blue accents on all timing functions (tachymeter, chronograph seconds hand, chronograph minutes totalizer). The dial discreetly features the two white Shelby Cobra stripes generally found on competition cars. And finally, like the roadster itself, the Capeland Shelby® Cobra CSX 2000 Edition is equipped with a powerful, tried and trusted high-quality engine: a Manufacture La Joux-Perret 8147-2 mechanical self- winding Swiss-made flyback chronograph movement.

Fitted with a “chevé” antiglare sapphire crystal, the pebble-shaped case in 18K red gold is elegantly teamed with a blue alligator leather strap matching the color of CSX 2000’s bodywork and firmly secured by a matching 18K red gold pin buckle. The case back engraved with the words “Shelby® Cobra CSX 2000, Unique Piece” is also fitted with a sapphire crystal (bearing Carroll Shelby’s signature) providing a chance to admire the sophisticated onboard mechanics. The opulent presentation box is engraved with the commemorative inscription and comprises a luxurious travel pouch. This is definitely a watch destined to write its own history...

The upcoming sale of this bespoke timepiece, along with CSX 2000, represent once-in-a-lifetime owner- ship opportunities, not to be missed.