Roger Dubuis Sympathie Chronograph S34 56

ROGER DUBUIS SYMPATHIE CHRONOGRAPH S34 56 | X/28
Pink Gold | Ivory dial

Origin

Whilst most people today might think of bold watches with architectural skeletonized movements while bringing Roger Dubuis to mind, the brand’s roots are meticulously elegant, matching the vintage style and inventiveness of Patek Philippe. The story all starts with the Swiss founder Roger Dubuis himself, a watchmaking mystery turned into genius.

Roger Dubuis (1938-2017) was a watchmaker with an extraordinary vision of which little is known in the mainly analogue postwar period. What is known is that he has spent 9 years at the after sales atelier of Longines, mainly repairing chronographs from the late fifties onwards. The following two decades of his professional endeavors he worked at Patek Philippe in the complications department, constructing and perfecting the movements of perpetual calendars, gongs and minute repeaters.

His name became an equivalent for haute horlogerie. It was in 1995 that he, together with businessman and watch designer Carlos Dias, decided to bring his name to the world’s stage.

Soon Roger Dubuis became known for its idiosyncratic design and fine movement finishing while having a disruptive vision: approaching complications as an art form.

The company took great inspiration from Dubuis’ extensive experience at Patek Philippe and took pride in challenging Dubuis’ former employer in terms of exceeding their horological high standard. Out of this mindset the first two collections of Roger Dubuis were born in 1996: Sympathie and Hommage, paying respect to historically important vintage timepieces.

Roger Dubuis has left the company in 2005 after having produced many innovative in-house movements. In 2008 the eponymous brand became part of the Richemont Group.

Very few of the early day models were made, only 28 pieces per edition, adding to the rarity of these special editions as we have on sale here.

The Watch

This rare Roger Dubuis Sympathie Chronograph S34 56 watch has been crafted in the spirit of the acclaimed watchmaker, under his hands himself. This archetypal timepiece in pink gold is a limited edition of 28 – making it as unique as it is ravishing and complex. 

The watch is known for its distinct design, with a polished pink gold angular squared case, elongated lugs and over-sized screw, giving the 34mm case a larger impression on the wrist than would be expected based on its dimensions. Having a gloss Ivory dial with an outer minute and seconds track printed in black and a tachymeter on the outside, the watch is a classic amidst the early day Roger Dubuis models.

This is only enhanced by its pink gold Breguet numerals and its pink gold feuilles hands with two matching blued hands for the chronograph and 30-minute register, highly legible through the anti-reflective sapphire glass following the complexity of the watch design (later models are known to have normal, round sapphire glass).

This stunning watch is further characterized by the horloger genevois signature on its dial and by its case-back, where the intricate engraving reminds us of the spirit of the watchmaker behind the brand, revealed through the engraved sapphire case-back. In addition, the pin buckle is also made in pink gold with engraved Roger Dubuis signature.

Sympathie Chronographs are considered first-class collectibles and are rarely seen on the market.

The Movement

The Roger Dubuis Sympathie Chronograph S34  is powered by manual movement, in-house caliber RD56 which has been based upon the Lemania 2310 movement. It bears the fine watchmaking quality emblem Seal of Geneva and was regulated by watchmaker Roger Dubuis himself. The caliber is chronometer-graded, with a certificate from the Besançon Observatory. An open case-back with engraved sapphire glass shows the movement and its artistry finishing.

Condition

This limited-edition Roger Dubuis Sympathie Chronograph S34 56 (one out of 28 pieces ever made) is in mint condition. It comes accompanied by a rare full set, including Roger Dubuis papers, original manual, box and wallet pouch. It also comes with an authentic second caseback with numbers engraved.

If you desire to take a closer look at this precious timepiece, don't hesitate to contact us and make an appointment. 

Reference	S34 56
Movement	Manual Wound
Caliber	Calibre RD56
Dial	Ivory
Size (Case)	34 mm
Material (Case)	Pink gold
Bracelet	Grained Taupe
Glass	Sapphire
Condition	Mint condition
Year	1999
Papers	Yes
Box	Yes
Warranty	2 years