In Conversation: Robert Sebastian Grynkofki on Design, Fatherhood, and Legacy

Ahead of Father’s Day, we photographed Robert, Co-Founder and Product Director of SARAH & SEBASTIAN, with his son Otto near their home in Sydney. He reflects on how fatherhood has shaped his sense of legacy, speaks to the future of men’s jewellery, and draws parallels between automotive design and fine jewellery craftsmanship.

Robert wears the Valentine Necklace, the Bold Hoop and the Traction Diamond Signet Ring.

How would you describe your personal style?

Understated, with a focus on subtle details and clean lines. I gravitate toward quality materials and thoughtful design rather than overt logos or trends. There’s often a sentimental layer to what I wear - many pieces, including sneakers, have been collected over years of travel or mark certain chapters in my life. Some reflect more rebellious times. I like the idea of quiet luxury, but for me, it’s more about the feeling a piece evokes and how it was made.

“FOR ME, IT’S MORE ABOUT THE FEELING A PIECE EVOKES AND HOW IT WAS MADE”

Where do you see the future of men’s jewellery heading, and what’s still left to redefine?

Men’s jewellery is a space that's always evolving. It’s exciting to see more men embracing it as a means of self-expression. I think the future lies in pieces that are timeless but personal - designs that combine utility, sentiment, and craftsmanship. I’m drawn to creating jewellery with hidden mechanisms or intimate meanings - something that becomes a part of your story. I’d like to see more men creating their own heirlooms. For instance, I designed a platinum pinky signet with an Argyle chocolate diamond to commemorate becoming godfather to two of my closest friends’ children. One day, I’d love to pass it on to my son.

“I’M DRAWN TO CREATING JEWELLERY WITH HIDDEN MECHANISMS OR INTIMATE MEANINGS - SOMETHING THAT BECOMES PART OF YOUR STORY”

Robert wears the Traction Signet Ring, Bar Chain Bracelet and the Pearl Piston Bracelet.

What role do you think jewellery plays in self-expression for men today?

It can play any role you let it. Personally, I gravitate toward pieces that are subtle and grounding - if done well, they speak volumes without shouting. But jewellery can be loud, provocative, sometimes sadly boring... That’s the beauty of it: it’s yours to define. That freedom to choose is what makes it such a powerful form of self-expression.

“THAT FREEDOM TO CHOOSE IS WHAT MAKES IT SUCH A POWERFUL FORM OF SELF-EXPRESSION.”

You’ve spoken about your love of automotive design. Is there a connection between how a car is built and how a piece of jewellery comes together in your mind?

Definitely. While jewellery is on a different scale, both disciplines are rooted in balancing form and function. You have a list of requirements - fit, strength, comfort - and then the design must elevate those. Done well, the result feels effortless, like a small symphony of engineering and aesthetics. I also draw direct inspiration from automotive details: the precision, the geometry, the materials.

Robert wears the Lock Cord Bracelet, the Muse Bracelet, the Men’s Level II Polished Wedding Band and a Bespoke Argyle Diamond Signet Ring.

What would you like men to feel when they wear SARAH & SEBASTIAN?

Whatever feels authentic to them. I hope our pieces encourage a quiet confidence - pride in choosing something carefully designed and well made. It’s not about status or mass appeal, but about connection. I want the wearer to feel grounded, maybe nudged a little outside their comfort zone, and ultimately, aligned with who they are or who they’re becoming.

“I HOPE OUR PIECES ENCOURAGE A QUIET CONFIDENCE - PRIDE IN CHOOSING SOMETHING CAREFULLY DESIGNED AND WELL MADE.”

Robert wears the Lock Cord Bracelet, the Muse Bracelet, the Men’s Level II Polished Wedding Band and a Bespoke Argyle Diamond Signet Ring.

How has becoming a father reshaped your view of legacy?

It’s sharpened my focus. I think more about what I’ll leave behind - not just materially, but emotionally and creatively. There’s a clarity that comes with that. It’s made me more intentional and has helped me let go of things that don’t matter.

“I THINK MORE ABOUT WHAT I’LL LEAVE BEHIND - NOT JUST MATERIALLY, BUT EMOTIONALLY AND CREATIVELY.”

Do you find yourself viewing the world differently through Otto’s eyes?

Absolutely. There’s a rawness and purity in how children experience the world - it resets your perspective. You notice the small things again. And it reminds you how much there is still to explore and learn.

“IT REMINDS YOU HOW MUCH THERE IS STILL TO EXPLORE AND LEARN.”

What’s one of the most memorable moments you’ve had as a father?

There are many, but witnessing the strength of my partner during birth and having Otto sleep on my chest for the first time - those are moments that will stay with me forever.

Robert wears the Lock Bangle, Khaki Lock Cord Bracelet, Fine Soldered Chain, Chase Signet Ring, Chase Ring and the Level I Mens Wedding Band. Otto wears the Promise Necklace.

Of all the pieces you’ve designed, which one are you most proud of?

I honestly can’t pick a favourite - each piece carries a memory, and often a story behind how it came to be. Most of them are the result of great teamwork, and I especially appreciate the more complex designs we’ve been able to solve together. There’s something really rewarding about finding those solutions as a group. I’m also quietly plotting to re-release some earlier S&S pieces. Looking back, I think many of them were ahead of their time, and I’d love to give them the spotlight again - they still feel relevant, maybe even more so now.

“EACH PIECE CARRIES A MEMORY, AND OFTEN A STORY BEHIND HOW IT CAME TO BE.”