Roger Dubuis

Before establishing his eponymous brand, Roger Dubuis spent several years working with established brands such as Longines and Patek Philippe, where he specialized in high complications. This formative experience profoundly shaped his approach to watchmaking. In collaboration with Marc Wiederrecht, who would later found Agenhor, the pair developed a bi-retrograde perpetual calendar movement, first unveiled in the Harry Winston Bi-Retrograde Perpetual Calendar at Baselworld in 1989.

Following the founding of his brand in 1995, Dubuis incorporated this innovative bi-retrograde perpetual calendar module into his own creations such like the present example housed in a 37 mm pink gold Sympathie case with an ivory-colored lacquer dial. The distinctive cushion-shaped case, with its pronounced, pointed corners, is both idiosyncratic and expressive. Its design also recalls the rare Longines reference 846 5094, produced in very limited numbers during the 1950s.

The Sympathie Perpetual Calendar stands as a testament to Geneva watchmaking excellence and marks an important milestone in the emergence of independent watchmaking. Through this model, Roger Dubuis articulated a vision rooted in traditional craftsmanship, while laying the foundation for a new generation of independent makers.

Each configuration of his watches was produced in a limited series of just 28 pieces, making them exceptionally rare on the market. The present example, numbered 12 of 28, comes directly from the family of the original owner and is preserved in excellent overall condition, accompanied by its full set of original accessories.