Heuer & Abercrombie & Fitch Rally Master Pair early Dashboard Set 1958

Description

Heuer & Abercrombie & Fitch Rally Master Pair
early Dashboard Set
Early Rally Master pair 1958 , co-branded Heuer and Abercrombie & Fitch. This Monte Carlo is a very early version, with the scripted "Monte Carlo" and "Patent Applied For
Master-Time Serial No. 18003
Auto - Rally Monte - Carlo Serial No. 15132
I thought that Heuer enthusiasts might like to see this early Rally Master pair, co-branded Heuer and Abercrombie & Fitch. This Monte Carlo is a very early version, with the scripted "Monte Carlo" and "Patent Applied For
And these latter two paired together on a backplate make one of the Heuer icons, the Rallye Master
!
While Heuer did not track the serial numbers of the cases, the numbers engraved on both this Master Time (18003) and the Monte Carlo (15132) are the lowest serial numbers that I have seen for both timepieces.
Together with the unique design of the second hands and bezel-edge, this leads me to conclude that this pair was either a prototype or a very early production model.
Like pilot's watches and the age of glamorous air travel in the 1950s and 1960s, these rally timers bring back the same nostalgic sensibility for vintage car collectors. While the piece itself served a completely practical purpose and is very sturdy, there is something that feels precious about these older timers. Its simple but legible design made it perfect for its purpose: it has a progressive 60-minute register with a 12-hour digital register and a reeded bi-directional bezel.
Abercrombie & Fitch, established in 1892, started out as the “
The Greatest Sporting Goods Store in the World
” and was one of the few retailers Heuer worked with. During their partnership, Heuer produced several memorable models from the 1940s through the 1970s, most notably the colorful Seafarer model. The metal dashboard mounting plate is also signed “Ed Heuer & Co.,” which is a nice touch as well. This is not your average rally timer.