No finer detail seems to capture the imagination of watch enthusiasts more than the double-signed, or co-signed dial. But what does it really mean—and why does it sometimes push the value of one piece over that of another, similar watch without it?
Essentially, the double-signed dial shows up on a watch made by one company and distributed or sold by another with both companies' names on it.
This practice began in the first half of the 20th century when European watchmakers did not have their own boutiques around the world. Instead, they relied on a network of trusted retailers in emerging markets like South America, the United States, Africa, and the Middle East. To make them highly palatable to collectors in these regions, these retailers were allowed to add their own signature to the dial, typically positioned at six or twelve o'clock.
One such retailer is Türler. Founded by brothers César Alexander and Jean Henri Türler in 1883 in Biel, Switzerland, they launched their first store in 1907. Over the ensuing decades, Türler expanded across Europe, eventually serving distinguished clients like Sir Winston Churchill with their watches.
By the 1990s, double-signed dials had all but become a memory as watch manufacturers began to take the reins of their own retail operations. But it was only a matter of time before the public's appetite for high-end collaborations resuscitated the practice.
Today, the signature of a prestigious retailer can add thousands, if not tens of thousands, of dollars to a watch's value by layering on precious elements of celebrity, provenance, and rarity.
OMEGA Constellation Signed TURLER
Original two-tone silver pie pan dial with beautiful naturally occurred patina, applied silver indexes, Omega logo and name, and a solitary applied star.
The dial is made more special by the addition of the name of the original retailer, Turler. Screw-down case back and deeply engraved Constellation Observatory logo. The Constellation is powered by the calibre 561 self-winding chronometer-rated movement with sweep seconds and date.
Original acrylic crystal with Omega logo in the center, signed Omega crown.
The watch is serviced and will be sold with a 3 month warranty from the date of purchase.