RECOMMENDED READING: Why double-signed Rolex and Patek Philippe dials are so interesting

Nick Kenyon

Double-signed dials are the perfect example of how the details of a watch are sometimes the most interesting, revealing not just where a watch might have been sold, but opening up a window into the past to expose key relationships and macroeconomic trends that affected how the business of selling watches was done. Double-signed dials that show both the name of the watch brand and the retailer who sold the watch have increased in recent popularity, with auction house Phillips curating a special sale “Double Signed” which sold both vintage and modern watches that featured double signatures (including important Zurich retailer Beyer).

One of the most popular dial signatures, and a signature that is still being produced on dials, is “Tiffany & Co”. Patek Philippe continue to co-brand dials with the American retailer after their partnership was formed in 1847. Rolex also produced Tiffany & Co dials till the early 1990s, making a few of the incredibly popular professional Rolex models even more desirable. But why has their popularity increased so much in recent years? In part, it is the rarity of these pieces, as there are a very limited number of manufacturer-retailer relationships that still produce double-signed dials, and vintage examples in good condition are extremely hard to find. The team at QP Magazine recently took a much closer look at the history of these dials, and why they are so valuable today. Read the full article right here.