The Fossil x Shelby Grand Tourer

Carroll Shelby didn’t do subtle. Whether it was shoehorning a Ford V8 into a tiny British roadster or staring down Ferrari at Le Mans, the man lived life wide open. So, it stands to reason that a Shelby-branded timepiece would be cut from the same cloth.

The new Fossil x Shelby Grand Tourer watch doesn’t just wear the Shelby name, it wears the brand’s signature Wimbledon White and Guardsman Blue stripes and channels the style of the Cobra roadster. While Fossil is considered by many to just be a “fashion watch,” it does look like they put some effort into the design of this one, seeking to grab some of that Shelby cool factor for their brand.

Fossil x Shelby: A Dial Like a Hood Stripe

At 45 mm, the stainless steel case won’t go unnoticed, but it’s surprisingly well-balanced on the wrist. The face is pure Shelby iconography: double racing stripes, clean subdials, and that unmistakable coiled Cobra at 12 o’clock. The tachymeter bezel, more than just decoration, is functional for timing speed runs—should you find yourself on a stretch of empty highway with a stopwatch itch.

Flip the watch over and you’ll find an etched caseback with the Shelby logo and your piece’s unique production number. Only 1,098 units of the Fossil x Shelby are being made, a number chosen in honor of the legendary CSX serial codes that marked original Shelby Cobras. Enthusiasts will get the reference. Everyone else will just think you’ve got great taste. Expect to see serial numbers like 289, 427, and 428 to become highly collectible.

Under the hood, the Fossil x Shelby Grand Tourer is powered by a reliable Japanese quartz chronograph movement. No, it’s not mechanical, but it is accurate, trusted, and capable. You get a center-seconds stopwatch hand and subdials that track minutes and seconds. This is a tool watch disguised as a fashion statement, and that’s where it earns its keep.

It’s also built to travel. With 10 ATM of water resistance and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, the Grand Tourer can handle road trips, pit lanes, and the occasional splash of bourbon during a late-night garage session.

Leather and Steel: Like a Cobra Interior

The watch comes with a stainless steel bracelet for dressier occasions and a perforated blue leather racing strap for when you want to lean into the motorsport vibe. The strap’s punched texture is a direct nod to 1960s driving gloves and vented seats, a small detail that enthusiasts will appreciate.

Even the packaging is Shelby-grade. The watch ships in a metal toolbox-style case adorned with vintage livery, complete with a certificate of authenticity. It feels more like unboxing a collector’s edition die-cast Cobra than a timepiece, and that’s precisely the point. We like the blue leather strap, and it is nice that it is included, overall this feels like one of the most thoughtful collaborations from Fossil in years.

Should You Buy One?

At $495, the Fossil × Shelby Grand Tourer doesn’t try to be a Swiss watch. It won’t have the resale value of the Baume & Mercier, Breitling, or the just-announced Bulova X Shelby collaboration, but it aims to be the fun, affordable alternative for the everyday Cobra fan. It is something you can wear and not have to worry about. So if you’re the type who still waves at other classic cars on the road or thinks tachometers are a lifestyle, this might just be your next everyday watch.