There are several features and characteristics that make a vintage watch appealing, but one that we have a keen eye for is a ‘double-signed’ dial. Throw in some extra provenance and now you’re really pulling on our vintage heart strings.

This particular Vulcain has both.

Vulcain watches manage to fly mostly under the radar in the U.S., yet watches from the Swiss brand have been worn by everyone from American Presidents to Italian Alpinists. Although mostly known for their Cricket alarm watches, unbeknownst to many, has forayed into the worlds of dive watches, dress watches and in this particular example, a double-signed commemorative watch for a Teamsters union employee dating back to the late 1970s.

This example we have here features a 36mm stainless steel rounded square cushion case (affectionally known as a ‘squound’ case in these parts!) that bears more than a passing resemblance to an Analog:Shift favorite - the Heuer Camaro. Fitted with an acrylic crystal, polished steel bezel, unsigned crown, Calibre UT31 manual-winding movement and a brown leather strap. On the surface, the case embodies a well-worn life on the road but still retains its sharp case edges and stout lug profile. 

Front and center is the Teamsters emblem adorned on a satin blue dial. The emblem shows a pair of horses, one named Thunder and the other, Lightning, symbolically representing the pillars of the Teamsters organization. The storied American union can trace their history of ‘double-signed’ commemorative watches given to those employees who have displayed exemplary service, to multiple brands, with Vulcain being one of them. The logo’s yellow and light blue accents have faded to further compliment the blue dial has faded but compliment the blue dial, acting as a backdrop for the dial furniture including a stick hand set, rectangular hour indices and date window at 3 o’clock.

The screw-down caseback reads the engraving example “EARL TIDROW ROAD DRIVERS COMM. MTR. FRT. 1978” harkening back to a time when a man among many played a significant role in shaping labor and transportation history in the United States. 

Provenance, A double-signed dial, and lovely patina  – this watch has vintage charm in spades and is a great piece of American history to add to any collection.