Often seen with a pipe in one hand, a loupe on his forehead, and watches strapped to either wrist, Philippe Dufour is, simply and unequivocally, a living legend of horology. Not only has he produced some of the finest hand-finished watches of the modern era, but he does so with no marketing, no self-promotion, each year creating a dozen or so of the tiny masterpieces for which he has become so celebrated. He operates entirely as a one-man show in his converted schoolhouse in the Vallée du Joux.

Following graduation from the Ecole d’Horlogerie in the Vallee de Joux, Dufour mastered his skills working for both Jaeger LeCoultre, Gerald Genta, and Audemars Piguet, specializing in complications. In 1992, as an independent watchmaker, he introduced the first wristwatch with Grande and Petite Sonnerie Minute Repeating movement, commissioned by Audemars Piguet.

The Simplicity model was introduced in 2000 as a nod to traditional Swiss watchmaking, with each timepiece being handmade and assembled. The model was produced in different variations, with pink or white gold cases, a smaller model with 34mm diameter case, and a larger model with 37mm case. Dufour also created two dial types, one in white lacquer and the other with a hand-guilloché dial. Initially, the Simplicity was supposed to be limited to only 100 watches, but due to the incredible demand from clients and collectors, Dufour extended that number to 200. At the moment, there are at least 205 pieces that have been produced, and it is certainly more than possible that there may never be another one made. Very few have surfaced publicly, and the combination of a 37mm case in platinum with the hand guillochéd dial, most similar to the prototype version Monsieur Dufour himself wears, is arguably one of the most desired variants. The present example further impresses with its virtually “new” state of preservation, having resided in a drawer and never used since its production. Furthermore, its completeness is certain to impress the most discerning connoisseur, and is accompanied by three original Philippe Dufour crocodile straps, all in virtually unworn condition, to match the pristine nature of the watch itself.