926
Roger Dubuis
Ref. S37
Sympathie Bi-Retrograde Calendar Minute Repeater, Possibly Unique
An early, possibly unique and important white gold limited edition bi-retrograde perpetual calendar minute repeating wristwatch with signature on the dial, moon phases, leap year indication, movement numbered 5 of a limited edition of 24 pieces
Estimate
HK$320,000–640,000
€36,400–72,800
$41,000–82,100
Manufacturer
Roger Dubuis
Year
Circa 2000s
Movement No
5/24
Reference No
S37
Model Name
Sympathie Bi-Retrograde Calendar Minute Repeater, Possibly Unique
Material
18K white gold
Calibre
Manual, cal. 2607, 35 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Leather
Clasp/Buckle
18K white gold Roger Dubuis pin buckle
Dimensions
37mm width
Signed
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
Full-Cataloguing
Good To Know:
- First S37 example to appear on the market with a bi-retrograde calendar and minute repeater
- Numbered 5 of 24 pieces, only one known
- Extremely rare handwritten signature printed on the dial
- Features Geneva seal of excellence
The present Roger Dubuis Sympathie 37 is the first example of this model with a minute repeater to appear on the market. After years at Patek Philippe, Roger Dubuis and Carlos Dias launched the Maison in 1995. Where the Hommage paid homage, the Sympathie declared independence. Its case is neither cushion nor tonneau nor square, but all three at once.
The movement is equally striking. Together with Jean-Marc Wiederrecht, later founder of Agenhor, Dubuis devised a perpetual calendar that refused the small subdials of tradition. Day and date sweep across twin retrograde scales, large and theatrical; month and leap year sit at 12; the moon phase at 6. First shown on the Harry Winston Bi-Retrograde Perpetual Calendar at Baselworld in 1989, the module became the young Maison’s signature expertise.
Breaking the Maison’s own sacred practice, the movement is engraved No. 5/24, when almost every Roger Dubuis creation of this era rides on 28. At fifteen, Dubuis entered watchmaking school as student 208. His diploma movement, Calibre 208, received the Poinçon de Genève. The lucky “8” thereafter governed limited editions for his creation. In 1996, an unexpected visit from the Sultan of Brunei, who wanted a watch already sold prompted the Maison to stretch a series to 28, and the figure became folklore. Twenty-four therefore feels almost transgressive. Whether the series was planned smaller, left unfinished, or reserved for a private commission, we do not know. We know only that this watch is 5/24, and at present, the only example of the combination known.
Early Sympathie examples of this type commonly carry a printed Geneva Seal at 3 o’clock and “Perpetual Calendar” at 9. Here the expected printed seal at 3 is replaced by a handwritten signature of extreme rarity, while “Minute Repeater” remains at 9.
The importance is not a flourish of language. First of its kind on the market. Numbered outside the house religion of 28. Signed by a hand we cannot yet name. Certified with Geneva seal. Only one known. Early Roger Dubuis already lives in small numbers; this watch lives in a smaller room still. It is the kind of rare that makes the catalogue pause.
- First S37 example to appear on the market with a bi-retrograde calendar and minute repeater
- Numbered 5 of 24 pieces, only one known
- Extremely rare handwritten signature printed on the dial
- Features Geneva seal of excellence
The present Roger Dubuis Sympathie 37 is the first example of this model with a minute repeater to appear on the market. After years at Patek Philippe, Roger Dubuis and Carlos Dias launched the Maison in 1995. Where the Hommage paid homage, the Sympathie declared independence. Its case is neither cushion nor tonneau nor square, but all three at once.
The movement is equally striking. Together with Jean-Marc Wiederrecht, later founder of Agenhor, Dubuis devised a perpetual calendar that refused the small subdials of tradition. Day and date sweep across twin retrograde scales, large and theatrical; month and leap year sit at 12; the moon phase at 6. First shown on the Harry Winston Bi-Retrograde Perpetual Calendar at Baselworld in 1989, the module became the young Maison’s signature expertise.
Breaking the Maison’s own sacred practice, the movement is engraved No. 5/24, when almost every Roger Dubuis creation of this era rides on 28. At fifteen, Dubuis entered watchmaking school as student 208. His diploma movement, Calibre 208, received the Poinçon de Genève. The lucky “8” thereafter governed limited editions for his creation. In 1996, an unexpected visit from the Sultan of Brunei, who wanted a watch already sold prompted the Maison to stretch a series to 28, and the figure became folklore. Twenty-four therefore feels almost transgressive. Whether the series was planned smaller, left unfinished, or reserved for a private commission, we do not know. We know only that this watch is 5/24, and at present, the only example of the combination known.
Early Sympathie examples of this type commonly carry a printed Geneva Seal at 3 o’clock and “Perpetual Calendar” at 9. Here the expected printed seal at 3 is replaced by a handwritten signature of extreme rarity, while “Minute Repeater” remains at 9.
The importance is not a flourish of language. First of its kind on the market. Numbered outside the house religion of 28. Signed by a hand we cannot yet name. Certified with Geneva seal. Only one known. Early Roger Dubuis already lives in small numbers; this watch lives in a smaller room still. It is the kind of rare that makes the catalogue pause.