This year, Bulova is marking its 150th anniversary by diving deep into its racing roots. More than just another heritage watch, the new officially licensed Shelby Racing Chronograph resurrects the bullhead chronograph layout that dominated motorsports in the 1970s. Drawing inspiration from Carroll Shelby’s legendary 1967 GT500, this limited-edition piece combines the swagger of American muscle cars with Bulova’s most advanced precision technology.
Racing DNA That Runs Deep
Back when NASCAR and IndyCar were pure speed contests rather than entertainment spectacles, Bulova served as the official timekeeper throughout the 1960s and ’70s. That timing expertise shows up in spades here. The watch features an 8-hand chronograph capable of measuring down to 1/1000th of a second, powered by Bulova’s proprietary Precisionist movement operating at a staggering 262kHz. That frequency is eight times faster than standard quartz, delivering accuracy measured in seconds per year rather than per month.
The bullhead case design positions the chronograph pushers at 12 o’clock like a pair of bull horns, mimicking the layout of professional stopwatches. It’s a configuration that largely disappeared after the ’70s, making this 43mm stainless steel case feel both nostalgic and refreshingly different from many of today’s cookie-cutter chronograph layouts.
Shelby’s Signature Details
The aesthetic connection to the 1967 GT500 is found in Shelby’s iconic blue and white racing stripes appear on both the HNBR rubber strap and dial accents, while machined grooves on the midcase reference the car’s racing heritage. The Cobra logo sits proudly at the 3 o’clock register, and Carroll Shelby’s signature graces the four-screw caseback alongside Bulova’s 150th anniversary marking.
Four radial-pattern subdials dominate the blue dial — the 12 and 6 o’clock registers handle chronograph hours and minutes respectively, while the 9 o’clock position tracks tenths and hundredths of a second. The real showstopper is the 3 o’clock subdial with the Cobra emblem, measuring those mind-bending 1/1000th-second intervals.
The sapphire crystal sits beneath a black aluminum tachymeter bezel, though admittedly the date window at 4:30 feels somewhat out of place on such a performance-focused piece.
Spec Sheet
Model: Bulova x Shelby Racing Chronograph
Case Material: Stainless steel
Case Size: 43mm
Movement: Bulova Cal. NN10 HPQ Precisionist quartz
Water Resistance: 50m
Crystal: Sapphire with AR coating
Strap: HNBR rubber with racing stripes
Functions: 8-hand chronograph (1/1000th second precision)
Limited Edition?: Yes, 7,500
Includes: 1:24 scale GT500 die-cast model
Pricing & Availability
At $1,350, the Shelby Racer Chronograph sits at the premium end of Bulova’s lineup and comes numbered and includes a 1:24 scale die-cast model of the 1967 GT500 in a special presentation box. Limited to 7,500 pieces worldwide, the watch is available now through Bulova.com and select retailers.
Recap
Bulova x Shelby Racing Chronograph
Bulova resurrects the rare bullhead chronograph layout from the 1970s, combining Carroll Shelby’s 1967 GT500 muscle car aesthetics with Bulova’s ultra-precise Precisionist movement that measures to 1/1000th of a second. Limited to 7,500 pieces at $1,350, this 150th anniversary release includes authentic racing details like blue-and-white GT500 stripes and comes with a die-cast model of the legendary muscle car.
