Manufacturer: Roger Dubuis Year: Circa 1990s Movement No: 457 Model Name: Sympathie Bulletin d’Observatoire Material: 18K pink gold Calibre: Manual, cal. RD56, 21 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Roger Dubuis pin buckle Dimensions: 37mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
Catalogue Essay
Roger Dubuis was established in 1995, however the story of Roger Dubuis started in the 1950s when the man himself started his career as a watchmaker at Longines where he spent over nine years working at the after sales department repairing and servicing the firm’s outstanding chronograph timepieces of the era. After leaving Longines, Roger Dubuis continued his career as a watchmaker at the prestigious Patek Philippe manufacture in the complications department working alongside the likes of Svend Andersen. With absolute passion, Mr. Dubuis' illustrious career at Patek Philippe spanning over two decades involved going home after work to continue working on fixing timepieces for private clients. After Patek Philippe, Roger Dubuis opened up his own workshop in Geneva extending his clients list to the likes of auction houses as well as boutiques in Geneva. In the early 1990s, Roger Dubuis’ life would be completely changed when he met entrepreneur Carlos Dias, and in 1995 the Roger Dubuis brand was founded.
Early examples of Roger Dubuis timepieces would only feature two models, Hommage and Sympathie. It is often referred that the brand has very little to do with Roger Dubuis the man himself, maybe true for their more recent timepieces but early Roger Dubuis timepieces were certainly very “Dubuis”. Highly sought after in the market, early examples are very rare as the firm only made 28 examples of each model in varying case dimensions and dial variations. Executed to high standards, the timepieces were all chronometer certified by Besançon Observatory and each stamped further by the prestigious Geneva Seal.
The present example Roger Dubuis Sympathie encased in a beautiful 37mm 18K pink gold case features a rather rare two tone sector dial with “salmon” outer track and registers. Furthermore, it is powered by the famous Lemania 2310 based cal. RD56, which is regarded as one of the most important chronograph calibers of the era, famously used also by Patek Philippe. Presented in excellent overall condition, the present example is certainly a rare gem in the market.