The Duality was introduced in 1996. Dufour’s second wristwatch was, like the Grande & Petite Sonnerie wristwatch, a world premiere: the world’s first wristwatch incorporating a double escapement (thus its name) featuring two independent balance wheels compensated with a central differential gear.

The horological virtuoso himself: Philippe Dufour.

Having two balances connected in this way enables greater accuracy as it allows the balances to average out their rates. If one runs slightly faster and the other a bit slower, the rate variations would cancel each other out. Furthermore, this system produces less variation across all different positions.

Dufour’s inspiration for the Duality came from a school watch with double balance wheel featured in the Time Museum’s catalogue – and coincidentally, corresponding to the same school that Dufour graduated from, the Vallée de Joux Watchmaking School. This watch had a single gear train delivering power to two balance wheels through a differential.

“The value of my timepieces is in the handwork and the craftsmanship. I put a part of myself in my watches, and the owner can feel that.”
—Philippe Dufour, as quoted In Watchmakers: The Masters of Art Horology

After having miniaturized the Grande & Petite Sonnerie movement to fit inside a wristwatch, Dufour tackled the task of shrinking the differential into a caliber that could be housed within a wristwatch. The final result was nothing short of extraordinary, as he managed to shrink the differential mechanism to the size of a matchstick head, allowing the movement to feature two large balances beating in unison.

View of the superbly finished movement including the hand-finished interior and exterior angles on its bridges. Most evident is the pursuit of perfection.

Dufour had planned on making 25 Duality timepieces, however, due to the complexity of making, assembling, and adjusting the movement, added to the fact that the market did not at the time grasp the importance and relevance of the timepiece, he only made 9. Dufour’s Duality is in fact a monumental achievement in wristwatch history. So important was its launch that it would inspire François-Paul Journe to revisit his own dual-escapement design – the Resonance, which he first attempted years earlier within a pocket watch. Four years after the Duality’s introduction, Journe would introduce the world’s first Resonance wristwatch.

Astonishingly, the present Duality No. 03 comes with an additional lacquered dial with Roman numerals and a set of Breguet-style hands

Fresh-to-the-market, the present Duality is extremely well-preserved and offered complete with its original boxes and guarantee. This example is also most probably unique – the only one in existence to feature a second, lacquered dial with Roman numerals and Breguet-style hands. Phillips has been entrusted with the sale of two Duality wristwatches in the past, and this third example, unseen by the public until now, in 18K white gold, numbered 03, is an important addition to the scholarship of Philippe Dufour and really of modern mechanical watchmaking.
- Manufacturer: Philippe Dufour
  Year: 1999
  Movement No: No. 3
  Model Name: Duality
  Material: 18K white gold
  Calibre: Manual, cal. 10, 40 jewels
  Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
  Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold pin buckle
  Dimensions: 34mm Diameter
  Signed: Case, dial, and movement signed.
  Accessories: Accompanied by a second lacquered dial with Roman numerals and Breguet-style hands, Philippe Dufour international guarantee and certificate of origin dated September 10th, 1999, additional crocodile strap, fitted wooden presentation box, and outer box.
- Catalogue Essay
  The Duality was introduced in 1996. Dufour’s second wristwatch was, like the Grande & Petite Sonnerie wristwatch, a world premiere: the world’s first wristwatch incorporating a double escapement (thus its name) featuring two independent balance wheels compensated with a central differential gear.
  
  Having two balances connected in this way enables greater accuracy as it allows the balances to average out their rates. If one runs slightly faster and the other a bit slower, the rate variations would cancel each other out. Furthermore, this system produces less variation across all different positions.
  
  Dufour’s inspiration for the Duality came from a school watch with double balance wheel featured in the Time Museum’s catalogue – and coincidentally, corresponding to the same school that Dufour graduated from, the Vallée de Joux Watchmaking School. This watch had a single gear train delivering power to two balance wheels through a differential.
  
  After having miniaturized the Grande & Petite Sonnerie movement to fit inside a wristwatch, Dufour tackled the task of shrinking the differential into a caliber that could be housed within a wristwatch. The final result was nothing short of extraordinary, as he managed to shrink the differential mechanism to the size of a matchstick head, allowing the movement to feature two large balances beating in unison.
  
  Dufour had planned on making 25 Duality timepieces, however, due to the complexity of making, assembling, and adjusting the movement, added to the fact that the market did not at the time grasp the importance and relevance of the timepiece, he only made 9. Dufour’s Duality is in fact a monumental achievement in wristwatch history. So important was its launch that it would inspire François-Paul Journe to revisit his own dual-escapement design – the Resonance, which he first attempted years earlier within a pocket watch. Four years after the Duality’s introduction, Journe would introduce the world’s first Resonance wristwatch.
  
  Fresh-to-the-market, the present Duality is extremely well-preserved and offered complete with its original boxes and guarantee. This example is also most probably unique – the only one in existence to feature a second, lacquered dial with Roman numerals and Breguet-style hands. Phillips has been entrusted with the sale of two Duality wristwatches in the past, and this third example, unseen by the public until now, in 18K white gold, numbered 03, is an important addition to the scholarship of Philippe Dufour and really of modern mechanical watchmaking.
- 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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