Philippe Dufour - The Geneva Watch Auction: X Geneva Saturday, November 9, 2019 | Phillips

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  • Video

    Philippe Dufour

    Geneva Watch Auction X, 9-10 November 2019

  • Manufacturer: Philippe Dufour
    Year: 2002
    Movement No: 23
    Model Name: Simplicity
    Material: 18K white gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 11'", 21 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Alligator Philippe Dufour strap
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold pin buckle
    Dimensions: 37mm Diameter
    Accessories: Accompanied by Philippe Dufour inner and outer box, International Guarantee and Certificate of Origin.
    Literature: Philippe Dufour is prominently featured in Twelve Faces of Time: Horological Virtuosos by Elisabeth Doerr and Ralph Baumgarten pp. 10-25 and in Masters of Contemporary Watchmaking by Michael Clerizo pp. 72-91

  • Catalogue Essay

    No other watchmaker than Philippe Dufour exemplifies what we have collectively come to imagine as the typical Swiss watchmaker: a pipe smoking solitary figure working in a small workshop in the Swiss mountains making watches by hand.

    Philippe Dufour is all of the above and much more. An extremely talented and passionate watchmaker he is an ardent defender of traditional watchmaking that he considers a dying art. A true living legend, his watches are considered masterpieces that collectors jealously treasure, making them extremely difficult to obtain. That is why we are incredibly thrilled that one of his timepieces is featured in our Independents' Atelier section.

    An independent watchmaker since the late 1970s, Dufour restored antique and vintage timepieces which led him ten years later to develop a very small series of pocket and wrist grand sonnerie watches, followed by the Duality, the world’s first wristwatch incorporating a double escapement.

    After having proven his undeniable talent and expertise in creating ultra-complicated mechanisms, he set out in 2000 on the challenging task of creating a simple three hand watch, aptly named Simplicity, with a movement architecture designed specially by the Master himself, to demonstrate hand finish and decoration that modern horology had not yet witnessed.

    The gentle flow of the bridges’ curves, the bold and alluring inward and outward angles, the hand applied Geneva waves and red rubies provide a seductive visual harmony. Needless to say that the decoration and assembly are done by hand explaining the fact that less than a dozen Simplicities per year left Dufour’s workshops in the Vallée du Joux. The present watch bearing movement number 23 is one of the earlier models the master produced.

    The classically sized 37mm case is both stealth and complex in its forms, the hand guilloché dial adding a dash of restrained flamboyance to the watches overall appearance.

    Having a backlog of orders and not taking any new ones, the present Simplicity, in almost unworn condition and complete with box and Certificate, offers a rare opportunity for a collector to obtain one of the rarest, most important, and most sought after timepieces created by a living legend.

  • Artist Biography

    Philippe Dufour

    Swiss • 1989

    Philippe Dufour is a modern master creating some of the most coveted timepieces available today. His watches feature clean, classic lines fitted with high-grade in-house movements and stunning finish and polish. His Simplicity model is near-perfect hand craftsmanship, produced entirely in a traditional manner without the use of modern industrial tools. Over a 12-year period he created approximately 200 examples often customized to the client's wishes. Today it is considered one of the finest mechanical time-only timepieces produced. Also highly sought-after is the Duality, a highly complicated masterpiece made in only 9 examples. Dufour worked for some of the top names in watch manufacturing including Jaeger-LeCoultre, Audemars Piguet and Gerald Genta. In 1978, he opened his own workshop creating all his own parts. He is both the man and the brand, and by keeping his production numbers limited, Dufour maintains absolute control over quality and is therefore considered one of the most important independent watchmakers today.

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Σ268

An extremely rare and fine white gold wristwatch with original certificate and presentation box

2002
37mm Diameter

Estimate
CHF150,000 - 300,000 
€141,000-281,000
$156,000-312,000

Sold for CHF325,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East
+ 41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: X

Geneva Auction 9-10 November 2019