Bulova Shelby Racer Chronograph 40.5mm Limited Edition 9,999 pieces | Ref. 96K118

In 1965 the Shelby Daytona Coupe took the world manufacturers' title away from the Italians: six cars built, and the first world championship ever won by an American car. Sixty years on, Bulova and Shelby sign the Shelby Racer Chronograph, inspired by the 50th Anniversary Aluminum Edition of the Daytona Coupe: a racing chronograph in a limited edition of 9,999 pieces worldwide, delivered in a dedicated box together with a model of the car.

Cushion-shaped 40.5mm steel case with a tachymeter scale

The case is high-polish stainless steel, cushion-shaped — the silhouette of Bulova's racing chronographs of the Seventies — 40.5mm across, with four exposed hex screws on the bezel. The bezel carries the tachymeter scale that turns a lap time into an average speed: on a watch built for racing, that is not decoration. The crystal is anti-reflective sapphire, the case back screws down and carries a glass insert with the Bulova and Daytona Coupe logos and the words Limited Edition. Water resistance is 10 bar, that is 100 metres.

Mirror-polished dial, with the Shelby snake on the sub-dial

The dial is silver-tone and mirror-polished, echoing the aluminium body of the Daytona Coupe, with large applied Arabic numerals and black luminous hands that stay legible against the light background. The three sub-dials are drawn after the car's dashboard gauges: chronograph minutes at 9 o'clock, the 1/20 second scale at 3 o'clock and small seconds at 6 o'clock, where the Shelby cobra is printed. Below the brand name you can read 262 kHz: the quartz frequency, eight times that of ordinary quartz.

High-precision quartz movement, five seconds a month

The calibre is the Bulova NP20, a 262 kHz high-precision quartz with six hands: hours, minutes, seconds and a chronograph running up to twelve hours, reading to 1/20 of a second. Stated accuracy is ±5 seconds a month, an order of magnitude better than standard quartz. The high frequency also shows: the seconds hand sweeps rather than ticks.

Split-finish bracelet, like the racing stripes

The bracelet is stainless steel and alternates brushed and polished links: it is the quotation of the double racing stripe on the Daytona Coupe's bonnet. It is 22mm at the lug and closes with a double push-button deployant clasp. The watch weighs about 184 grams with the bracelet fitted.

In the box: the 1/24 Daytona Coupe and a second strap

The packaging is part of the piece, and it is not the usual box. It is a dedicated Shelby box, white with the double grey stripe and the embossed cobra, and inside there are two things you will not find elsewhere: a 1/24 scale, silver-plated Shelby Daytona Coupe model and an additional brown padded leather strap to fit in place of the bracelet. It is the reason this Racer gets given as a gift: whoever receives it opens a box with a car inside.

Technical specifications

• Reference: 96K118
• Edition: limited, 9,999 pieces worldwide
• Movement: Bulova NP20, 262 kHz high-precision quartz
• Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph to 12 hours with 1/20 second
• Accuracy: ±5 seconds a month
• Case: high-polish stainless steel, cushion shape, Ø 40.5mm
• Bezel: fixed, with tachymeter scale
• Crystal: anti-reflective sapphire
• Dial: mirror-polished silver-tone, Arabic numerals, luminous hands
• Case back: screw-down, glass insert Bulova · Daytona Coupe · Limited Edition
• Water resistance: 10 bar (100 metres)
• Bracelet: split-finish steel, 22mm lug, double push-button deployant clasp
• Included: 1/24 scale silver-plated Shelby Daytona Coupe model
• Included: second strap in brown padded leather
• Packaging: dedicated Shelby box
• Warranty: 2 years official Bulova

Frequently asked questions

Cicala Gioiellerie is an authorised Bulova retailer. The watch is new and never worn, delivered with its complete presentation set and the official 2-year warranty filled in by us, with a receipt or invoice. Insured shipping, free of charge.