Roger Dubuis Sympathie

Before the wild skeletonized hypercars, Knights of the Round Table, and gravity-defying complications, there was a very different Roger Dubuis. Founded in 1995 by the master watchmaker himself, Roger Dubuis quickly established a reputation for combining traditional Genevan watchmaking with a design language unlike anything else on the market. While today's Roger Dubuis embraces the avant-garde with unapologetic enthusiasm, the brand's early years produced some of the most distinctive dress watches of the modern era. Chief among them was the Sympathie—a collection that announced the arrival of a manufacture determined to do things its own way. This Sympathie Ref. S27180 is a perfect example of that philosophy. Crafted in 18K white gold, the 27mm case remains one of the most intriguing designs to emerge from the late 1990s and early 2000s. Neither round nor tonneau, neither traditional nor futuristic, the Sympathie's flowing multi-faceted architecture feels entirely its own. Satin-brushed surfaces meet polished bevels and stepped transitions, creating a case that reveals new details from every angle. It is a watch that rewards attention. The dial is equally compelling. Set against a crisp blue backdrop, oversized 'Roman' numerals explode outward from the center with the sort of theatrical confidence that became an early Roger Dubuis signature. A central rail track provides graphic balance, while elegant 'spade' hands soften the watch's architectural edge. The overall effect is sophisticated, expressive, and unmistakably Dubuis. Inside, the movement delivers the level of finishing collectors have come to expect from the brand's formative years—a period many enthusiasts consider the manufacture's most important. Fitted to a pale blue alligator leather strap with a signed white gold pin buckle, the combination feels surprisingly fresh and contemporary, bringing a touch of color to an already distinctive design. Accompanied by its complete set, including inner and outer boxes, papers, cards, warranty, and pamphlets, this example offers the full Roger Dubuis experience. This very pretty Sympathie wasn't designed to blend in. Nearly three decades later, it still doesn't. And with a name like “Sympathie,” how could you not fall in love?