Philippe Dufour Simplicity, 37mm, Rose Gold

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The Simplicity is the flagship timepiece of independent watchmaker Philippe Dufour. The watch is based on the traditional movement architecture and artistic expressions of the Vallée de Joux from 1850 to 1920, considered by many to be the golden age of traditional Swiss watchmaking. Believed to be one of the first 35 pieces produced by the watchmaker, this example is distinguished by the rare combination of a rose-gold case with a rose-gold applied index marker dial and dauphine handset. It's also comes with an additional lacquer dial and Breguet handset.

The Simplicity

Philippe Dufour was born in 1948 in Le Sentier, in the Vallée de Joux, to a mother and father who were both watchmakers. At the age of fifteen, he attended the Ecole d’Horlogerie in Le Sentier, where he excelled in his studies. Upon graduation, in 1967, he joined Jaeger-LeCoultre, spending time in their after-sales department. Whilst there, he worked closely with Gabriel Locatelli, who became a mentor for the young watchmaker, educating him on “all the things you don’t learn at watchmaking school,” Dufour recalls.

This particular example is believed to be one of the first 35 pieces to have been made. Most pieces were crafted in white gold, which makes this rose-gold configuration especially rare and attractive, thanks to its classic styling and appearance.

In contrast to the case, the solid silver dial has a sunburst finish, and features a painted, black minute track and applied Arabic numerals and index markers. An inner chapter, with a mesmerising guilloché pattern and Dauphine-style hands, features a discreet cartouche with the watchmaker's name. Meanwhile, the sub-seconds register at six o'clock is finished with concentric circles and possesses black, painted markers.