FHH | The Quirky Backstory of the Roger Dubuis SympathieThe Quirky Backstory of the Roger Dubois Sympathie

The Quirky Backstory of. The Quirky Backstory of. The Quirky Backstory of. The Quirky Backstory of. The Quirky Backstory of

the Roger Dubuis Sympathie. the Roger Dubuis Sympathie. the Roger Dubuis Sympathie. the Roger Dubuis Sympathie

05 June 2025

The Quirky Backstory of the Roger Dubuis Sympathie

education

by @watches_and_culture

When classic meets baroque.

The Roger Dubuis Sympathie collection, now discontinued, stands as a testament to Roger Dubuis’ rich watchmaking legacy.

After honing his skills at Longines and Patek Philippe, Dubuis broke away to create his own workshop in the 1980s, eventually launching his eponymous brand in 1995 with businessman Carlos Dias.

His vision combined traditional techniques with a bold, contemporary approach, and the Sympathie collection epitomized this philosophy.

The design of the Sympathie is unique, merging round and square elements into a singular, innovative form. Featuring a stepped bezel and elongated, curved lugs, the case breaks away from traditional shapes—something rare in an industry dominated by predictable silhouettes.

The design was originally suggested by a respected casemaker in the Vallée de Joux, refined by Dubuis and Dias, and became a hallmark of the brand’s early pieces, from chronographs to perpetual calendars.

Each model was traditionally limited to just 28 pieces, making the Sympathie not only a significant watchmaking achievement but also a rare collector’s item. Combining tourbillons, chronographs, and perpetual calendars, with a high level of finishing, the Sympathie remains a revered, if discontinued, chapter in Roger Dubuis’ innovative legacy.