Model: Longines "Sympathie" Vogue 3260
Year: 1970s
Features:
The Link. Wherever you find this Longines online, it’s almost always mislabelled as the Sympathie - a reference to Roger Dubuis’ iconic case shape. But Dubuis introduced the Sympathie in 1995 and the watch on offer today is from the 1970s, so what’s the connection?
The Man. At the beginning of his career, Dubuis worked in the after-sales department at Longines, diligently repairing broken watches for their customers. He later spent over a decade building complications for Patek Phillipe - specifically grand complications like minute repeaters and perpetual calendars. That invaluable experience would eventually give him the confidence to form his own repair shop atelier in the ‘80s, and subsequently his own brand in the ‘90s.
The Myth. And as illustrious as his career became, it’s beyond implausible to suggest that Dubuis designed this iconic case shape for Longines while he worked as a repair technician - not a designer. In fact, it’s far more likely that the opposite is true, and Dubuis wanted to pay tribute to the two companies that gave him his start and shaped his career.
The Design. I’ve talked at length about what this watch isn’t, so how about what it is - a walking template for the Classic Swiss Dress Watch. Enamel Dial, Small Seconds, Roman Numerals, Blued Hands, Unique Case Shape, Precious Metal, Thin Lugs, and Manual Wind. With a checklist as thoroughly ticked as that, there’s no need to stretch for tenuous links to Dubuis. The Longines Vogue, as it’s correctly called, is more than capable of standing on its own two feet.
Specifications:
Condition: In very good condition overall. Just serviced. Marks and signs of aging can be seen on the 925 Silver case. The dial and glass show are clean.
Scope: An original 1983 Longines Anniversary box - unsure if it’s original to the watch.
Movement: Longines Manual Wind
Dimensions:
- Case Width: 30.2mm
- Lug to Lug: 35.9mm
- Case Thickness: 5.9mm
- Lug Width: 17.0mm
