Show me your Dugenas!

Dr.Sascha · Nov 4, 2020

Dugena is a maker that has come up on my radar only recently. They were a top-end German brand, originally sold under the name Alpina (f. 1917). They did a marvellous Autavia clone, the "Siffert," which I am eagerly keeping an eye out for: https://monochrome-watches.com/the-story-of-dugena-or-what-is-a-poor-mans-heuer-vintage-corner/

Recently picked up this chrono (val. 7733), which shares some features with that Siffert, most specifically the lovely steel indices with flattened outer edges and delicate lume dots (I actually like the indices here better, on account of the onyx inserts). I also appreciate the very precise dial detailing, the navy tachy and subdials, and the asymmetrical, red-detailed yachting minute sub-register. These are complemented by a finely-milled diving bezel and beefy pushers. The overall aesthetic also has some echoes of Yema Supergrafs and Meangrafs from the same period (early 70s). I've put it on a hand-made strap that matches the exact specs of the band that came with the former on original issue (courtesy of twostitch straps).

So, anyone else have a Dugena in their collection? I think this brand deserves some love!

Zapatta · Nov 4, 2020

Nice chrono you got there!
This is my uncle's Dugena Troupier that has seen war time but not millitary isued of course.

WhereMadnessLies · Nov 5, 2020

Dugena did make some nice looking chronographs. I used to own this one. This dial printing quality wasn't great but it did look very cool. Also I loved the fact that it had pulsations and a tachy.

A couple of vintage adverts:

And I think this is the factory that they shared with Alpina

csm_Dugena-Haus_a1a7324ff2_csm_Wasserzeichen_b1fe17cbf2_220f486d60.png

Passover · Nov 5, 2020

@Dr.Sascha, thanks for sharing this!

Cool piece the 'Siffgena' hope you'll be able to source one for you!

Good luck!

Dr.Sascha · Nov 5, 2020

They also do a sweet rebranded version of the Wakmann "Big Boy."

https://www.chrono24.com/dugena/vintage-chronograph-calibre-12--id16680868.htm

wilderbeast · Nov 9, 2020

I love this brand and have now got four Dugenas in my stable. I started out with a fairly cheap automatic Monza:

Then picked up this gorgeous brown sugar chronograph, similar to @WhereMadnessLies in the earlier post:

Then a reverse panda chronograph:

And finally recently a Watertrip skin diver:

Greet value brand, with solid movements inside (whether ETA or Valjoux) and in some cases, a bit of design flair.

Dr.Sascha · Nov 9, 2020

wilderbeast
I love this brand and have now got four Dugenas in my stable. I started out with a fairly cheap automatic Monza:

Then picked up this gorgeous brown sugar chronograph, similar to @WhereMadnessLies in the earlier post:

Then a reverse panda chronograph:

And finally recently a Watertrip skin diver:

Greet value brand, with solid movements inside (whether ETA or Valjoux) and in some cases, a bit of design flair.

Lovely pieces! I think one thing to keep in mind is that, in Germany, in the 60s and 70s, they were considered among the top watch-brands, and were sold alongside premium Swiss models in department stores. In that respect, they remind me a bit of Wakmann and Le Jour, two other makes that are also rapidly gaining value and recognition (and rightly so, imho).

High Hope · Nov 9, 2020

Dugena? Have I got a Dugena! I get a kick out of the "Digital" reference, it's so quaint. I bought this recently from another OF'er, Matt from Germany. It is '70s and super clean. I was wearing it yesterday, the only problem is my eyes aren't what they once were and it can be damn tough to read the minutes...

@Dr.Sascha, I'll trade you even for the first chrono you posted, the one with the tan rally strap.

mr.robot10000101 · Jan 17, 2021

I just got this recently. Anyone knows if the chronograph hand is original to the watch?

Dr.Sascha · Jan 18, 2021

M mr.robot10000101
I just got this recently. Anyone knows if the chronograph hand is original to the watch?

Lovely, same dial as mine (I think it's by Arsa).

Dr.Sascha · Jan 18, 2021

Dr.Sascha
Dugena is a maker that has come up on my radar only recently. They were a top-end German brand, originally sold under the name Alpina (f. 1917). They did a marvellous Autavia clone, the "Siffert," which I am eagerly keeping an eye out for: https://monochrome-watches.com/the-story-of-dugena-or-what-is-a-poor-mans-heuer-vintage-corner/

Recently picked up this chrono (val. 7733), which shares some features with that Siffert, most specifically the lovely steel indices with flattened outer edges and delicate lume dots (I actually like the indices here better, on account of the onyx inserts). I also appreciate the very precise dial detailing, the navy tachy and subdials, and the asymmetrical, red-detailed yachting minute sub-register. These are complemented by a finely-milled diving bezel and beefy pushers. The overall aesthetic also has some echoes of Yema Supergrafs and Meangrafs from the same period (early 70s). I've put it on a hand-made strap that matches the exact specs of the band that came with the former on original issue (courtesy of twostitch straps).

So, anyone else have a Dugena in their collection? I think this brand deserves some love!

Slight update. Turns out it was no coincidence that my Yema strap goes with this Dugena . . . because it's a Yema in disguise! The case is actually a Yema case, the same as used in the Yema Daytona and some Yachtingrafs. The dial, as near as I can tell, is the same as an Arsa chrono.

Lancaster · Apr 1, 2021

Not getting many posts here and I know there are a lot of Dugena fans. I don't know much about this one of mine since there aren't many around. 200M stainless diver with bakelite bezel. Dugena cal 3324 movement which is said to be a rebranded ETA 2782 automatic movement with quickset date. Runs at +2 to +3 secs/day. Nice patina on the tritium dial and hands.

wilderbeast · Apr 1, 2021

Lancaster
Not getting many posts here and I know there are a lot of Dugena fans. I don't know much about this one of mine since there aren't many around. 200M stainless diver with bakelite bezel. Dugena cal 3324 movement which is said to be a rebranded ETA 2782 automatic movement with quickset date. Runs at +2 to +3 secs/day. Nice patina on the tritium dial and hands.

That’s a sweet piece! I have the same movement in my Monza. Very solid runner.

siguzzi · Apr 2, 2021

I like the 70 style of the Dugenas. These are still watches with affordable prices. Here are mine

wilderbeast · Apr 2, 2021

siguzzi
I like the 70 style of the Dugenas. These are still watches with affordable prices. Here are mine

Excellent collection! What could be more 1970s than a chronograph with orange or red hands! 😀

Lancaster · Apr 2, 2021

That'll create some fans!

valjoux72 · Apr 4, 2021

Join the club with a Cal. 12 chronograph

Lancaster · Apr 4, 2021

What a beauty! Unique layout of the numbers on the left register.

Dr.Sascha · Jun 28, 2021

Nice NOS piece on Ebay. A bit overpriced, IMHO, but still perhaps worth a look . . .

1970s NOS Dugena Caribbean Diver Chronograph Valjoux 7732
https://ebay.us/D1Heso

mzzleather · Jun 28, 2021

WhereMadnessLies
Dugena did make some nice looking chronographs. I used to own this one. This dial printing quality wasn't great but it did look very cool. Also I loved the fact that it had pulsations and a tachy.

A couple of vintage adverts:

And I think this is the factory that they shared with Alpina

That 1st ad Dugena chronograph sporting the aquastar deepstar sub second dial. Sweet stylistic cue.