Abercrombie & Fitch Midshipman

Long before the modern clothing brand was associated with double popped collars, cloying cologne and bare abs, Abercrombie & Fitch was the sportsman’s mecca.

Established in 1982, Abercrombie & Fitch sold all manner of outdoor gear, from hunting essentials and camping equipment to more exotic offerings such as hot air balloons, leopard collars, and treadmills for exercise dogs. A&F most notably became the outfitter for a virtual ‘who’s who’ of adventurers and iconic individuals: Theodore Roosevelt outfitted multiple expeditions to Africa at A&F, as did Robert Peary ahead of his trek to the North Pole, and Clark Gable amidst his golf forays around the world. 

But when it comes to A&F wristwatches, there’s much more to dive into than the widely adored Seafarer.

This piece, an Abercrombie & Fitch Midshipman, dates back to the late 1950s/early 1960s and features a 33mm stainless steel case with a domed acrylic crystal, an unsigned crown, and a lovely silver dial. Simply designed and well executed, it boasts luminous Arabic indices, a luminous ‘alpha’ handset, and a charming patina that has developed evenly throughout.

Powered by an A&F-signed, manual-winding movement, it bears the name ‘Mark Reed’ engraved on the caseback. No doubt Mr. Reed would be delighted to know his watch will be worn and appreciated for another 60 years! 

For those of you who have been around awhile (or are at least well educated on all things old-school), you know that Abercrombie & Fitch wasn't always the trendy, bare-chested, short-shorts hocking, teeny-bopper fashion brand that they were for the past 25 years.

Once upon a time the brand was a true outfitter for the serious outdoorsmen, offering everything from mosquito netting to elephant guns in their stores - serious provisions for your safari into the dark heart of Africa.

We remember hearing stories of our grandfathers' visits to their flagship store on Fifth Avenue, being greeted by giant taxidermied elephants at the entrance, instead of a mouthful of over-bearing perfume and a crowd of tourists excited to buy this season's disposable fashion trend at exorbitant prices.

While many modern brands have gone to great lengths to honor their history and heritage, Abercrombie gave theirs the finger and ran away in the opposite direction, and only recently has turned the corner and are re-embracing their storied past.

We're hopeful for their future once again, and adds to our renewed excitement when we find quality vintage A&F timepieces such as this beauty!

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.