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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Chronograph wristwatch

Roger Dubuis Sympathie Chronographe, Bulletin d'Observatoire, No. 166

Partially verified

This Roger Dubuis Sympathie Chronographe, numbered 166, is a self-winding wristwatch produced circa 2000. It features a "carrée cambrée" (curved square) 18K white gold three-body case measuring 37 x 37 mm, characterized by its shaped, concave band and bezel with screwed white gold bars. The black dial presents applied white gold Breguet numerals, subsidiary seconds and 30-minute register dials, and outer tachometer and telemeter scales. White gold "feuille" hands display the time, and the watch is completed by an 18K white gold Roger Dubuis buckle. The watch is powered by the self-winding Caliber 56, which is rhodium-plated with fausses côtes decoration. The movement includes 25 jewels, a straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to 5 positions, shock-absorber, flat balance-spring, and a swan-neck micrometer regulator. The movement bears the Geneva Quality Hallmark. Both dial and movement are signed by the maker.

Front view of the Roger Dubuis Sympathie Chronographe, showing the black dial with tachometer and telemeter scales, white gold Breguet numerals, and the shaped 18K white gold case.
Front view of the Roger Dubuis Sympathie Chronographe, showing the black dial with tachometer and telemeter scales, white gold Breguet numerals, and the shaped 18K white gold case. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Wristwatch · Chronograph wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Roger Dubuis
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
290
Source-reported date
circa 2000
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
166

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial Design

The watch is housed in an 18K white gold "carrée cambrée" three-body case. The design incorporates a shaped, concave band and bezel construction. It is equipped with sapphire crystals and utilizes screwed white gold bars to secure the strap. The case back is transparent, allowing for visibility into the internal mechanism.

The black dial features applied white gold Breguet numerals. Time and chronograph functions are tracked using white gold "feuille" hands. Peripheral to the main display, the dial is printed with outer tachometer and telemeter graduations. Subsidiary dials for the 30-minute register and constant seconds are set into the dial surface.

Evidence for this section
  • “C. Three-body, shaped, solid, polished and brushed, transparent case back with screws, shaped and concave band and bezel, screwed white gold bars, sapphire crystals.”
  • “D. Black with applied white gold Breguet numerals, subsidiary sunk seconds and 30 minutes register dials, outer tachometer and telemeter graduations. White gold "feuille" hands.”

Movement and Escapement

The timepiece operates on a self-winding Caliber 56 movement, which is rhodium-plated and finished with "fausses côtes" decoration. The movement includes 25 jewels and utilizes a straight-line lever escapement. The mechanism is protected by a shock-absorber system.

The balance assembly consists of a monometallic balance adjusted to five positions, paired with a self-compensating flat balance-spring. Regulation is managed by a swan-neck micrometer regulator. The movement is certified with the Geneva Quality Hallmark.

Evidence for this section
  • “M. Cal. 56 stamped with the Geneva Quality Hallmark, rhodium plated, "fausses côtes" decoration, 25 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to 5 positions, shock-absorber, self-compensating flat balance-spring, "swan-neck" micrometer regulator.”

Signatures and Condition

The watch is identified by the manufacturer as a "Sympathie Chronographe" and carries the serial number 166. Both the dial and the movement are signed by Roger Dubuis. The watch includes an 18K white gold Roger Dubuis buckle.

Regarding condition, the auction description reports the watch has been graded according to their internal system. The case is classified as 'Very good', the movement as 'As new', and the dial as 'Excellent'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial and movement signed.”
  • “Grading System Grade: AAA Excellent Case: 2 Very good Movement: 1 As new Dial: 1 - 01”

Open research questions

  • What specific laboratory issued the Bulletin d'Observatoire for this individual movement?
  • How many units of the Sympathie Chronographe in white gold were produced with this specific dial configuration?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Roger Dubuis Sympathie Chronographe, Bulletin d'Observatoire, No. 166
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerRoger Dubuis“Roger Dubuis, Horloger Genevois”
ModelSympathie Chronographe“Sympathie Chronographe”
Number166“No. 166”
Datecirca 2000“Produced circa 2000”
Case Material18K white gold“18K white gold gentleman's wristwatch”
Movement CaliberCaliber 56“Cal. 56”
Dimensions37 x 37 mm“Dim. 37 x 37 mm”
HallmarkGeneva Quality Hallmark“stamped with the Geneva Quality Hallmark”

Visible details

  • Case features distinctive concave band and bezel design
  • Dial includes both tachometer and telemeter scales
  • Movement is visible through a transparent case back with screws
  • Screwed bars secure the strap to the case lugs

Research qualifications

  • The source does not explicitly state the watch is a limited edition despite the sequential numbering
  • The exact provenance prior to this cataloging is not provided

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Roger Dubuis, Horloger Genevois, "Sympathie Chronographe", No. 166, Bulletin d'Observatoire. Produced circa 2000. Very fine and unusual, "carrée cambrée", center-seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, 18K white gold gentleman's wristwatch with oval button chronograph, register, tachometer, and telemeter and an 18K white gold Roger Dubuis buckle.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 76b7be30f5

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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