The Simplicity* is perhaps independent watchmaker Philippe Dufour’s best known watch and his only serially produced example. Classically beautiful on the dial as well as the movement sides, it was inspired by watching from the Vallée de Joux in the early 20th century. This watch, understood to be one of the first 10 pieces he created, was first retailed in 2002. It features a 37mm platinum case and solid silver dial with a guilloché adorned centre. Visible through the sapphire caseback is calibre 11, a thoroughly redesigned variant of the historically significant Valjoux VZSS. The watch comes with its original certificate of origin and boxes.  

Early on, Philippe Dufour was made aware of the dedicated following for his classically styled, mechanically complex craft in Japan by friend and fellow watchmaker, Antoine Preziuso. Dufour created the Simplicity, a watch that catered to the sensitivities of that market, as a way to thank enthusiasts in the country for supporting his vision.
 
Between 2000 and the present day, it is understood that around 220 Simplicities have been created, with as much as half of this number going to collectors in Japan. It is also believed that there are a few clients still waiting to receive their watches. More recently, the watchmaker committed to creating further examples in a series to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Simplicity.
 
This is a particularly early watch from the initial series, believed to have been one of the first 10 Dufour created. The watch was first retailed in 2002. It features a platinum case in the more modern 37mm size. The three-part case has a rounded bezel and a caseback rim. These parts sandwich a slim midcase that also has a curved profile. The point where the long, slim lugs meet the midcase is clearly defined. The substantial, knurled crown is crafted from white gold and is unsigned.
 
The classically beautiful case is paired with a solid silver dial with a guilloché-adorned centre in a wave-like pattern. This section is hemmed by a sauté piqué rim, interrupted only by the overlapping subsidiary seconds register. This register has an engine turning in a concentric circular pattern, with a printed chapter of black markers. The outer section of the silver dial has a sunburst quality, featuring a black chemin de fer minutes track followed by an applied quarter of Arabic numerals. The other hours are plied by faceted markers. All hour markers have been mirror polished to perfection. The hours and minutes hands are faceted dauphine-style, while the second’s indicator is of a feuille form.
 
A discreet cartouche in the central portion of the dial wears the maker’s mark, while the place of origin and the dial maker’s mark are printed just under the seconds register.
 
Visible through the exhibition case is a thoroughly reimagined iteration of the Valjoux calibre VZSS, a movement that has powered many of the finest watches over the last century. As is the maker’s style, the Calibre 11 is superlative both in its construction and finishing. It is laid out to closely resemble pieces created in the Vallée du Joux, during the early 20th century. The finishing is of course achieved entirely by hand, by utilising traditional tools and techniques. The bridges are made from rhodium-plated brass and finished with classic Geneva stripes. The seamless transition between the stripe and the angling on the side of the bridges demonstrates the watchmaker’s skill. It features a Breguet hairspring and a large balance wheel, with adjusting weights at the two arms for micro-timing. And there is no regulator, as all Philippe Dufour watches are free-sprung. It has 52 hours of power reserve when fully wound.
 
This watch comes with its certificate of origin as well as its outer and inner boxes. While the Simplicity is the closest thing Dufour has to a serially produced watch, it is marked by the small number of the maker’s output. This particular example is distinguished as one of the first pieces he ever made.

If sold within the United Kingdom, this Philippe Dufour Simplicity will be subject to 20% VAT

Closer look

Condition

This Philippe Dufour Simplicity is in excellent overall condition. The case and lugs show virtually no signs of wear and have been extremely well preserved. The dial, hands, and movement have equally been well preserved, without any signs of wear. The hallmarks on the pin buckle are crisp and well defined. 

Warranty

The watch comes with a two-year warranty from A Collected Man, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.