FHH | THE QUIRKY BACKSTORY OF THE WATCHES WITH A DOUBLE-SIGNED DIAL

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THE WATCHES WITH A DOUBLE-SIGNED DIAL. THE WATCHES WITH A DOUBLE-SIGNED DIAL. THE WATCHES WITH A DOUBLE-SIGNED DIAL. THE WATCHES WITH A DOUBLE-SIGNED DIAL

20 July 2025

THE QUIRKY BACKSTORY OF THE WATCHES WITH A DOUBLE-SIGNED DIAL

education

by @watches_and_culture

Before the digital age and long before airport boutiques, watch brands relied on a global network of local retailers to sell their timepieces.

And those retailers didn’t just stock the goods… they proudly left their name on the dial.

From Asprey in London to Casa Masson in Rio, Türler in Zurich, or Serpico y Laino in Caracas, these weren’t just stores.

They were trusted gatekeepers with loyal clientele and strong regional reputations.


Having your name on the dial was a mark of trust—and proof of an official partnership.

So why the double signatures?


Simple: in the mid-20th century, many brands didn’t have their own boutiques.

They entrusted retailers to not only sell, but also service, guarantee, and even co-brand their watches.

The double stamp signified authenticity, exclusivity—and often, a specific market or client base.

Sometimes, the mix was even more surprising. Like Audemars Piguet with Bulgari for the Serpenti model for example!

An ultra discreet collab before collabs were cool.

Today, those tiny extra letters on the dial? They tell a story of global watch culture, long-distance trust, and pre-internet hype. And collectors are all in.