Dogma - Prima Small Second -Jumbo Case - No reserve price - Men - 1950-1959

Dogma Prima Small Seconds – Swiss Made – Mechanical – Silver Guilloché Dial – Gold-Plated Jumbo Case – 37 mm An elegant and distinctive vintage Swiss mechanical timepiece, this Dogma Prima Small Seconds combines traditional Swiss watchmaking with the sophisticated decorative artistry of classic mid-century wristwatches. Featuring an exceptionally attractive silver guilloché-style dial, intricate geometric patterns, applied gold-tone Arabic numerals and a beautifully integrated subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock, this watch captures the timeless elegance of vintage Swiss horology. Its impressive 37 mm gold-plated jumbo case, refined architectural dial decoration and classic brown leather strap create an appealing combination of traditional craftsmanship, understated luxury and authentic vintage charm. The inscription "Ancre 15 Rubis" further emphasises its classical mechanical heritage, making this Dogma Prima an interesting example of traditional Swiss watchmaking. Technical Details Brand: Dogma Model: Prima Small Seconds Case: Gold-plated metal case with polished surfaces and elegantly shaped lugs Diameter: 37 mm, excluding the crown – Jumbo Case Crystal: Acrylic Dial: Silver-tone dial featuring elaborate guilloché-style decoration, intricate crosshatched textures, a distinctive fan-shaped central geometric pattern and applied gold-tone Arabic numerals Hour Markers: Applied gold-tone Arabic numerals with a distinctive combination of traditional and stylised geometric characters Hands: Elegant gold-tone hour and minute hands with a slender classical profile, complemented by a subsidiary seconds hand Movement: Swiss mechanical movement, 15 jewels Winding: Manual winding Functions: Hours, minutes and subsidiary seconds Small Seconds: Circular subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock, featuring a finely decorated concentric pattern and delicate black minute-style markings Calendar: No calendar function Bezel: Slim gold-plated bezel with a polished finish Crown: Gold-tone ridged crown positioned at 3 o'clock Water Resistance: Not tested. Water resistance cannot be guaranteed. Strap: Generic brown leather strap with matching stitching, complementing the vintage gold-plated case. Wrist Size: Suitable for a wrist of up to approximately 21 cm. Accessories: Supplied with a generic presentation box Condition Report Grade B – Good vintage condition, with visible signs of wear consistent with age. The watch presents the characteristic signs of ageing and previous use expected from a vintage Swiss mechanical timepiece. The gold-plated case displays visible surface scratches, light scuffs, small marks and areas of plating wear, particularly around the bezel, case edges and lugs. The gold-tone finish shows variations in colour and texture, reflecting the natural ageing and history of the watch. The case retains its attractive vintage appearance, while the visible signs of wear are consistent with its age and previous use. The silver-tone dial remains the most distinctive feature of the watch, displaying an elaborate combination of guilloché-style patterns, fine crosshatched textures and a striking fan-shaped geometric design extending from the centre towards the subsidiary seconds register. The dial presents visible signs of ageing, including patina, subtle discoloration, fine marks and variations in tone. These characteristics contribute to its authentic vintage appearance. The applied gold-tone Arabic numerals retain their distinctive period styling, while the Dogma Prima signature and the inscription "Ancre 15 Rubis" remain visible. The gold-tone hour and minute hands display an attractive aged appearance consistent with the watch's vintage character. The subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock remains visually appealing, featuring delicate concentric decoration and a traditional small-seconds layout. The acrylic crystal may display fine surface scratches and marks resulting from previous use. The brown leather strap complements the gold-plated case and richly decorated silver dial, creating an elegant classical combination. It may show light signs of handling and wear. The watch is supplied with a generic presentation box. The long-term accuracy, power reserve, operating performance and service history of the mechanical movement have not been independently verified. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an essential part of the condition report and provide the best indication of the watch's actual cosmetic condition. The water resistance has not been tested and cannot be guaranteed. Contact with water should therefore be avoided unless the watch has been professionally inspected, pressure-tested and appropriately resealed. Story & Heritage The Dogma Prima Small Seconds represents a fascinating expression of traditional Swiss mechanical watchmaking, combining classical horological engineering with the elaborate decorative craftsmanship that characterised many elegant wristwatches of the mid-20th century. Dogma is a historic name associated with Swiss watchmaking, particularly appreciated among vintage watch enthusiasts for its traditional mechanical timepieces and distinctive period designs. During the first half of the 20th century, Switzerland became one of the world's most important centres of mechanical watch production, bringing together generations of skilled watchmakers, movement manufacturers, case makers and dial specialists. Alongside internationally recognised luxury manufacturers, numerous smaller Swiss brands contributed to this remarkable horological tradition, producing wristwatches that combined mechanical reliability, attractive styling and accessible elegance. Dogma formed part of this diverse watchmaking landscape, offering timepieces that reflected the technical principles and aesthetic preferences of their era. The Dogma Prima Small Seconds captures this heritage through its traditional hand-wound movement, classical subsidiary seconds display and exceptionally decorative silver-tone dial. The Elegance of the Jumbo Case One of the most appealing characteristics of this particular Dogma Prima is its generous 37 mm gold-plated case. During the middle decades of the 20th century, many traditional men's wristwatches featured case diameters between approximately 32 and 35 mm. A 37 mm case therefore represented a noticeably larger and more substantial design, offering a confident presence on the wrist while preserving the elegance associated with classical dress watches. Such larger vintage watches are frequently described by collectors as "jumbo" models, reflecting their distinctive proportions compared with the prevailing standards of their time. The softly rounded case profile, slim polished bezel and elegantly shaped lugs create a harmonious silhouette that balances visual presence with traditional refinement. The gold-plated finish introduces warmth and sophistication, recalling an era when gold-tone wristwatches were closely associated with elegance, personal achievement and formal style. The Art of the Guilloché Dial The most captivating feature of this Dogma Prima is undoubtedly its extraordinary silver-tone dial. Rather than relying on a simple uniform surface, the dial combines several decorative patterns to create a rich and highly distinctive visual composition. The outer section features an intricate crosshatched texture, producing a delicate geometric surface that reflects light from different angles. At the centre, an elaborate fan-shaped pattern radiates outward, creating a remarkable sense of depth, symmetry and movement. The finely decorated subsidiary seconds register completes the composition, adding another layer of classical detail. This style of decoration recalls the long European tradition of guilloché, a decorative technique historically associated with fine watchmaking, jewellery and precision metalwork. Traditional guilloché involves the creation of repeated geometric patterns through specialised engraving processes, often using rose engines or straight-line engraving machines. These techniques became especially appreciated in watchmaking because of their ability to transform a simple metallic surface into an intricate decorative composition. Although the exact manufacturing technique used for this particular dial has not been established, its guilloché-style patterns clearly reflect this prestigious decorative tradition. The combination of crosshatched textures, radiating geometric lines and concentric circular details gives the dial an unusually sophisticated appearance. It is a design that rewards close observation, revealing new decorative elements as the light changes across its surface. A Distinctive Arrangement of Arabic Numerals Another remarkable characteristic of this Dogma Prima is its unusual arrangement of applied Arabic numerals. The gold-tone numerals combine traditional forms with stylised geometric shapes, creating a distinctive visual identity that immediately separates the watch from more conventional vintage dress watches. The applied numerals introduce depth and contrast against the finely decorated silver background. Their warm metallic finish harmonises beautifully with the gold-plated case and slender gold-tone hands. The result is a dial that balances decorative complexity with classical symmetry. This approach reflects an era when watch manufacturers placed considerable emphasis on the artistic appearance of their dials. Before minimalist styling became dominant in modern watchmaking, many manufacturers explored elaborate textures, unusual numeral designs and sophisticated combinations of metallic finishes. Such details allowed relatively simple mechanical wristwatches to express a strong individual character. The Dogma Prima Small Seconds is an especially attractive example of this decorative philosophy. The Classical Small Seconds Tradition The subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock is another defining feature of this watch. Before central seconds hands became widespread, many mechanical wristwatches displayed the running seconds on a separate subsidiary dial. This configuration originated in traditional pocket-watch construction, where the movement architecture naturally accommodated a small seconds indication. As wristwatches became increasingly popular during the early decades of the 20th century, the small seconds arrangement remained an important element of classical watch design. Its presence gives a mechanical watch a particularly traditional appearance, recalling the period when watchmaking combined practical timekeeping with refined mechanical craftsmanship. On this Dogma Prima, the small seconds register is beautifully integrated into the overall dial decoration. Positioned at 6 o'clock, it features a finely textured concentric pattern surrounded by delicate markings. The circular register contrasts with the radiating geometric decoration above it, creating a visually balanced composition. This detail reinforces the watch's classical character and provides a direct connection to the design traditions of earlier mechanical timepieces. The Swiss Mechanical Movement – Ancre 15 Rubis At the heart of the Dogma Prima is a traditional Swiss mechanical movement, represented on the dial by the inscription "Ancre 15 Rubis". The French word "Ancre" refers to the lever escapement, one of the most important developments in the history of mechanical watchmaking. The lever escapement became widely adopted because of its practical combination of efficiency, durability and reliable timekeeping. Its development played an essential role in making mechanical watches suitable for everyday use. The inscription "15 Rubis" indicates a movement specified with 15 jewels. In traditional mechanical watchmaking, synthetic ruby jewels are positioned at selected friction points within the movement. These jewels help reduce friction and wear between moving components, contributing to the efficiency and longevity of the mechanism. Their purpose is technical rather than decorative, although jewel counts became an important feature frequently highlighted by watch manufacturers. During the 20th century, inscriptions such as "15 Rubis", "17 Rubis" and "21 Rubis" were commonly displayed on Swiss watch dials, reflecting the mechanical construction of the movements. The 15-jewel designation on this Dogma Prima therefore represents an interesting connection to the engineering traditions of vintage Swiss horology. Unlike an automatic watch, a manually wound mechanical watch requires the wearer to periodically wind the mainspring using the crown. This simple action stores the energy needed to power the movement. For enthusiasts of traditional horology, manual winding offers a particularly engaging experience. The daily ritual of winding a mechanical watch creates a tangible connection between the wearer and the intricate mechanism responsible for measuring time. It is a reminder of an era when precision timekeeping depended entirely on carefully engineered mechanical components. A Reflection of Mid-Century Swiss Elegance The Dogma Prima Small Seconds also reflects the broader aesthetic preferences of traditional European wristwatch design. During the middle decades of the 20th century, wristwatches increasingly became important personal accessories, combining practical functionality with expressions of taste, elegance and individuality. Gold-tone cases, decorated silver dials, applied numerals and small seconds displays were especially associated with refined dress watches. These design elements created an impression of sophistication without requiring complicated mechanical functions. The Dogma Prima embodies this philosophy particularly well. Its generous gold-plated case provides a confident visual presence, while the elaborate silver dial introduces decorative richness and classical charm. The slender gold-tone hands preserve the elegant proportions of the design, allowing the intricate dial decoration to remain the central attraction. The brown leather strap complements the warm metallic case and reinforces the watch's traditional appearance. Together, these elements create a timeless combination suitable for enthusiasts of classical vintage styling. Collector Appeal and Vintage Character Today, vintage Swiss mechanical watches from historic manufacturers such as Dogma attract interest among collectors who appreciate the diversity and individuality of traditional watchmaking. Beyond the most internationally recognised luxury brands, these watches reveal a fascinating world of craftsmanship, creativity and distinctive period design. Their appeal often lies in details that are rarely encountered in contemporary mass-produced watches. An unusually decorated dial, an elegant jumbo case, a traditional subsidiary seconds display or a beautifully aged metallic finish can give a vintage timepiece a personality entirely its own. This particular Dogma Prima Small Seconds brings together several especially attractive characteristics: a substantial 37 mm jumbo case, gold-plated construction, an intricately decorated silver guilloché-style dial, applied gold-tone Arabic numerals, a classical subsidiary seconds register and a traditional Swiss hand-wound mechanical movement specified with 15 jewels. The visible signs of ageing contribute to its authentic vintage identity, reflecting the passage of time and the history carried by a mechanical wristwatch from an earlier generation. Its combination of elaborate decorative artistry and traditional mechanical construction makes it particularly appealing to collectors who appreciate the elegance and individuality of vintage Swiss timepieces. With its impressive proportions, richly textured dial, classical small seconds display and traditional Swiss mechanical heritage, this Dogma Prima offers an attractive combination of decorative sophistication, horological tradition and enduring vintage charm. A distinctive vintage Swiss mechanical timepiece that celebrates the artistry, craftsmanship and timeless elegance of classical mid-century watchmaking. Internal Reference Number -VER-19

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