Signed Heuer, Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Seafarer Model, Ref. 2443, Case No. 950'239, Circa 1955

Beginning in the 1940s, Heuer began making watches branded for sale by Abercrombie & Fitch in New York. At that time, Abercrombie & Fitch was an elite outfitter of sporting goods. Two of the proprietary models Heuer produced for Abercrombie & Fitch were the Solunar and the Seafarer, which tracked the tide and time that fish and animals were most active based on the solunar theory. The solunar theory posited that the movement of animals and fish was affected by the location of the Moon. The Seafarer incorporated a chronograph.
 
This Seafarer reference 2443 is one of a small number known with this dial configuration and is arguably the finest example known to the market. It features an unpolished case and all the original and highly unusual blue luminous material both in triangular plots on the tan dial and in the hands. Often, the blue lume has fallen out of the hands on these watches and has been relumed with non-matching green or tan lume. The overall interplay of colors, including the gilt Arabic and dot numerals as well as the green and yellow accents, make this a vibrant and exceptional watch. Additionally, the reference 2443 wears large both because of its size and also because of the 20mm width between its lugs.

The present watch is fresh to market and was purchased by the present owner approximately a decade ago from an estate sale.