Dugena

Dugena is a German watch manufacturer, currently part of the EganaGoldpfeil group.

Beginning as Alpina Germany

The name "Dugena" is one of Germany's most famous watch brands. The roots of the company lie in Switzerland, namely with the Swiss watchmaker association Corporation d'Horlogers Suisse, which was founded in 1883 by Gottlieb Hauser. This was called Union Horlogère from 1901 and presented itself at this time with the brand name Alpina, which was first used as the name of a proprietary caliber.

Renaming of the German Alpina to Dugena

From about 1909, there is a branch in Glashütte, which bears the name "Präcisions-Uhrenfabrik Alpina". 1917 the Deutsche Uhrmachergenossenschaft Alpina (German watchmaker cooperative Alpina) is created by the concentration of the watch factories Biel-Geneva and Glashütte in Eisenach. 1927 their headquarters is moved to Berlin.

During World War II, the Allies prohibit the Union Horlogère to continue to market in Germany under the name "Alpina". Therefore, 1942 in Berlin it is decided to rename Alpina into "DUGENA - Deutsche Uhrmacher-Genossenschaft Alpina" (German watchmaking cooperative Alpina). As a unique trademark the circle in the triangle is chosen, under which the new brand achieves a high level of awareness.

Great Success after the War

1948, the headquarters of Dugena, which had been in the eastern part of Berlin, is moved to Darmstadt. Under the successful management of the director Willi Tempel Dugena becomes a byword for reliable and modern quality watches in West Germany.

The years of the Wirtschaftswunder (German economic miracle after the war) as well as the 1960s and the 1970s bring unparalleled success to the company. Both with ladies watches as with men's watches the brand gaines a considerable reputation. As one of only very few watch manufacturers Dugena is not affected by the quartz crisis, as it manages to establish itself with high quality quartz collections and is thereby open to new buyer generations. In 1973 Dugena is represented at 2,000 watch stores throughout Germany. Even in large department stores, the brand is continuously present.

Part of the holding Egana Goldpfeil

From 1993, Dugena is part of the EganaGoldpfeil group based in Offenbach, whose holding company is based in Hong Kong. However, this holding gets into heavy turbulence after the death of its founder Hans-Jörg Seeberger in 2007. This becomes the fate of all brands located under its roof, including the watch brands Junghans and Dugena.

Under new Management

The foundation of the Nova Tempora Uhren und Schmuck GmbH (Nova Tempora Watches and Jewellery Ltd.), based in Dietzenbach, on July 1, 2009 marks a new beginning for Dugena. This company is headed by Heinz W. Pfeifer, former managing partner of Glashütte Original, and Jürgen Holzschuh - like Pfeifer former Manager at EganaGoldpfeil. Responsible for sales management is Christoph Kohl, former head of the EganaGoldpfeil Deutschland GmbH.

The current offer includes mainly the following five model series: Active (sports models), City (Business Line), Classic, Gala (ladies watches), Cavalier ( pocket watches). The proportion of quartz watches is predominant.

2010, a new brand branch headed by Jürgen Holzschuh is established, which also offers watches with mechanical calibers: Dugena Premium.

Address

NOVA TEMPORA Uhren und Schmuck GmbH
Saarstraße 9
D-55590 Meisenheim

Tel.: +49 (0) 67 53 / 125 83-0
Fax: +49 (0) 67 53 / 125 83-22

Weblinks

• Dugena
• Dugena Premium