The REC watch made with metal from the very first Ford GT40

At the start of 2025 we previewed the Mecum’s sale of the celebrated Essex Wire Shelby Cobra that the auction house described as “arguably the winningest Cobra of them all”. In the event, bidding stalled at ‘just’ £2.7m – but the fact that the car didn’t sell on the day did nothing to detract from its glorious history in Sports Car Club of America production racing and the United States Road Racing Championship.

Its unusual name came from the fact that it was backed by industrial manufacturer Essex Wire through president Paul O’Malley and chairman Walter Probst, who saw massive marketing potential in sponsoring Ford’s racing endeavours. Built in 1965 to competition roadster specification, the Wimbledon White Cobra with its black and orange hood and Essex Wire legend on each door made it hard to miss.

As well as the Cobra, Essex Wire also backed Ford’s GT40s when the marque set out to destroy Ferrari at Le Mans, a goal it successfully achieved four years on the trot from 1966-69.

Now Copenhagen-based REC Watches, founded in 2011 by Jonathan Kamstrup and Christian Mygh with a remit to make collectible timepieces infused with the DNA of historically significant vehicles, has created a chronograph containing a little of some of the very first GT40 to leave the production line.

After being displayed at the 1965 New York Auto Show and the World’s Fair, chassis P/1001 was put to work in the hands of a string of top drivers ranging from a rookie Jackie Ickx to Denny Hulme and Mike Hailwood.

Restored after retirement, the car still competes in historic events today – and it’s the fact that it is kept in fine fettle that enabled REC to get hold of one of its original, aluminium coolant pipes which has been used to make tachymeter rings for a limited edition of 298 P/1001 Essex Wire chronographs.

The hand-wound flyback chronographs have white dials with red detailing based on the Essex Wire livery, and are fitted with Swiss-made movements that can be seen through a transparent case back in the shape of a GT40’s three-spoke steering wheel.

The all-round finish is impressive and the column wheel movement makes for a smooth and positive chronograph action – while the fact that it is hand-wound not only enhances the tactile nature of the watch but also enables the three-piece, 40mm stainless steel case to be kept comfortably slim.

Deliveries are not expected until April 2026 but being among the first 20 buyers to pre-order will get you a 20% reduction that brings the price down from £2295 to a decidedly tempting £1795.

And if Essex Wire white is not for you, take a look at the blue-dial Shelby edition which is available for the same price, but with 23 pre-order slots available out of the 359 watches being produced.

REC P/1001 Essex Wire, £2295. recwatches.com