The Simplicity* took independent watchmaker Philippe Dufours work to a wider audience.The watch is based on the traditional movement architecture and artistic expressions of the Valle de Joux from 1850 to 1920, considered by many to be the golden age of traditional Swiss watchmaking. The 37mm platinum case is paired with a solid silver dial, embellished with a guilloch centre. Visible through the sapphire caseback is calibre 11, a thoroughly redesigned variant of the historically significant Valjoux VZSS. This particular example was serviced by Dufour in 2019.
Early on,Philippe Dufours friend, watchmaker Antoine Preziuso alerted him to the dedicated following in Japan for his classically styled and mechanically complex craft. Dufour created the Simplicity, a watch that catered to the sensitivities of that market, as a way to thank Japanese enthusiasts 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. Dufour continues to work on the series, and it is believed that there are a few clients still waiting to receive their watches. More recently, the watchmakercommitted to creating further examples in a series to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Simplicity.
This example, which first retailed in 2011 making it part of the original Simplicity series 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 guilloch adorned centre in a wave-like pattern. This section is hemmed by a saut piqu 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 seconds indicator is of a feuille form.
A discreet cartouche in the central portion of the dial wears the makers mark, while the place of origin and the dial makers 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 makers style, the Calibre 11 is superlative both in its construction and finishing. It is laid out to closely resemble pieces created in the Valle 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 watchmakers 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 two sets of paperwork as well as the original boxes. The Simplicity is the closest thing Dufour has to a serially produced watch.
Closer look
| Brand: | Philippe Dufour |
| Model: | Simplicity |
| Movement: | manual-winding cal.11 |
| Functions: | hours, minutes, sub-seconds |
| Features: | guilloch dial, display back |
| Case material: | platinum |
| Case diameter: | 37mm |
| Case thickness: | 9mm |
| Lug-to-lug: | 46mm |
| Crystal: | sapphire front & back |
| Strap: | from our own collection, Philippe Dufour black alligator strap, Philippe Dufour white gold pin buckle |
| Lug width: | 19 x 16mm |
| Year: | 2011 |
| Accompanying materials: | Philippe Dufour outer box and inner wooden box, Certificate of Origin & International Warranty (signed & dated), Certificate of Origin & International Warranty, original purchase order |
Condition
This Philippe Dufour Simplicity is in good overall condition. The watch received a mechanical service by Monsieur Dufour himself in 2019. The case shows some light scuffing, particularly on the bezel, and superficial marks throughout the case and lugs. The bezel also has a few very small deeper imperfections, though barely noticeable to the naked eye.
The dial, hands, and movement are very well preserved. The engravings and hallmarks on the reverse of all four lugs are crisp and well defined.
Warranty
The watch comes with a two-year warranty from A Collected Man, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.
