Dugena age determination based on models, works, logos, etc.
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History of the Dugena watch manufactory
Shareholding of over 500 marks in the German watchmakers' cooperative Alpina, dated January 1, 1921
Dugena emerged from the general agency of the Swiss watch brand Alpina, founded in Berlin in 1899. In 1917, the German watchmakers' cooperative Alpina was founded in Eisenach. However, the artificial word Dugena, formed from this, was only established as the sole future brand name at the cooperative's general meeting in 1942. The purpose of the cooperative was the distribution of selected quality watches from Germany at moderate prices. The company headquarters were moved to Berlin in 1927.
Post-war period
In 1949, the company relocated to Darmstadt, where it was managed by Willi Tempel. Later, Hans-Jörg Seeberger became director, and in 1993 he acquired the company through his holding company DeganaGoldpfeil. DeganaGoldpfeil then sold the brand in 2009 to the newly founded Nova Tempora Uhren und Schmuck GmbH.
1930s–1960s
"Dugena" in cursive or serif font
Classic, often smaller
1970s
More modern font, triangle logo is emphasized
Often more athletic, broader
1980s–1990s
A more distinctive, round or block logo
Modern/Quartz Time
Today
New modern logo with stylized triangle
Design & style features
Here is a rough timeline for typical designs:
decade
Features
1950s
Small case, leather strap, script logo
1960s
Flat cases, dauphine hands, often gold-plated
1970s
Sportier, automatic, thicker cases, PUW movements
1980s
Quartz watches, digital displays, stainless steel bracelets
1990s–2000s
Simple dials, often quartz movements
Year
Event / Era
1917
Founded as DEUTSCHE UHRENGENOSSENSCHAFT – DUGENA in Eisenach (successor to the German Alpina representation).
1927–1935
Based in Berlin; distributor of high-quality Swiss watches (mostly Alpina and A. Schild watches).
from 1948
After WWII, the company was re-established in Darmstadt. Dugena = a consortium of German watchmakers with its own final assembly, but Swiss-made movements.
1950–1975
Large-scale production, goal: "the good German quality watch" – movements from ETA, AS, FHF, PUW, Durowe etc.
after 1975
Quartz and radio-controlled watches – development into a brand name (no longer classic serial number production).
Serial numbers and dating
Dugena did not use a continuous serial number system like Glashütte manufacturers, but instead used the numbers of the installed calibers (Swiss or German). Nevertheless, you can determine the age:
Serial number / Caliber marking
Time range
Typical characteristics
AS 970 / FHF 29 (5- to 6-digit serial numbers < 700 000)
ca. 1935–1945
Manual winding, small seconds, silver case, often with the “DUGENA / ALPINA” logo
AS 1130 (“Wehrmachtswerk”) work no. ≈ 800,000 – 1,200,000
