The Petite Belle Watch

“The Petite Belle” – Vintage Dugena 17 Rubis Antichoc Mechanical Watch (1960s–1970s)

There’s something truly special about a watch that has ticked through the decades and still keeps time — even if just a little too enthusiastically. Meet The Petite Belle, a charmingly delicate vintage wristwatch from Dugena, a reputable German brand celebrated for its precision craftsmanship and mid-century design heritage.

Produced in the 1960s–1970s, this watch captures the minimalist elegance of the era with its miniature size and graceful gold-tone silhouette. Dugena, originally part of the Swiss-U.S. watchmaking consortium Alpina, rose to popularity in Germany for offering reliable, beautifully styled timepieces — and this one is no exception.

This mechanical beauty is powered by a 17-jewel movement (17 Rubis), marked “Antichoc” on the dial, referring to its shock-resistant capabilities. While the mechanism currently runs a bit fast, it’s a minor quirk that a watchmaker can easily fine-tune. In fact, the fact that it still ticks reliably speaks volumes about the durability of its inner mechanics.
• Case: Oval, gold-toned, petite and elegant — it perfectly hugs the wrist with a warm vintage glow.
• Dial: Aged gracefully with some discoloration that only enhances its character, featuring minimalist hour markers and slender gold-tone hands.
• Bracelet: Slim and elegant, with a split-link design that retains flexibility. The clasp can stretch to accommodate wrists up to approx. 18.5–19 cm comfortably (model wrist in photos is 14.5 cm for reference).
• Movement: Mechanical (manual wind) — simply wind the crown and let it power itself as you move.

Despite its age, this watch offers a refreshingly minimal aesthetic, making it ideal for anyone seeking a micro-sized statement piece. It’s the kind of watch that invites conversation — not because it’s flashy, but because it’s quietly timeless.

Whether you’re a collector, a minimalist fashion lover, or someone enchanted by pieces that carry history on your wrist, The Petite Belle is ready for its next chapter.

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Note: This is a vintage mechanical watch. It requires regular winding and may benefit from a basic service for optimal timekeeping.