Early on, Philippe Dufour was made aware of his dedicated following in Japan through a friend of his, Antoine Preziuso. In response to that, he decided to create the Simplicity, a watch that catered to the particular sensibilities of that market, which had long appreciated fine craft, alongside understated and balanced design. Between 2000 and the present day, it is understood that around 215 Simplicities have been made.
 
This watch is one of 22 examples created in honour of the 20th Anniversary of the Simplicity, with the #00 having been auctioned and the #21 in the personal collection of the watchmaker himself. Only 20 were sold to clients of the watchmaker. At first glance, this Simplicity immediately arrests the eye with its unconventional features – a striking blue dial and brushed case, in addition to a hinged caseback. This combination of characteristics also makes it one of the more radical pieces to be produced for the Anniversary, given that many of the watches feature polished cases very similar to the originals, without hinged casebacks.

The vibrant blue dial is incredibly unconventional for Dufour, whose colour palette tends toward more neutral tones, and this is paired with Breguet-style numerals and a centre section decorated with a mesmerising guilloché pattern that gives the blue further texture and depth. The watchmaker's name is also featured on a cartouche below 12 o'clock.
 
Additionally, the brushed platinum case gives the watch a distinctive appearance from the vast majority of Dufour's work. Though classically styled, the brushed finishing lends the case a more substantial presence, particularly around the bezel and lugs. The additional weight of the hinged, platinum caseback, offers a wearability unlike most other watches from Dufour. The feature is reminiscent of the watchmaker's landmark first wristwatch, the Grande et Petite Sonnerie, which in addition to its incredible chiming complication, also featured a hinged caseback. Inside, the caseback reveals an engraved reference to the 20th Anniversary of the Simplicity, along with a beautifully textured emblem, a motif that is also repeated on the crown. 
 
As one might expect, the movement of the Simplicity is superlative both in terms of construction and finishing, bearing resemblance to similar calibres created in the Vallée du Joux, during the early 20th century. Dufour is admired for the standard of his finishing, which he achieves entirely by hand, utilising only traditional tools and techniques. The bridges are made from rhodium-plated brass and finished with classic Geneva stripes. The seamless transition between the stripe as well as the angling on the side of the bridges is testament to the watchmaker’s level of skill.

The watch is accompanied by a special box and Certificate of Origin, made especially for the anniversary series. The certificate features handwritten-style script along with the watchmaker's signature, numbered out of the 20 pieces sold to clients of Philippe Dufour.

Closer look

Condition

This anniversary Philippe Dufour Simplicity is in excellent condition throughout. The brushed platinum case, lugs, and hinged caseback show virtually no signs of wear, with the watch having likely been worn sparingly. A very light graze can be found on the surface of the bezel between four and five o'clock, towards mid-case. This is really only visible through a loupe. The outside of the hinged caseback has visible light surface scratches, though these are only on the very surface of the material.

The watch has never be opened since new. The hallmarks found on the reverse side of the lugs, as well as the inner engravings discreetly positioned on the inside of the hinged caseback, are crisp and well defined.

Warranty

The watch comes with a time left on the watchmaker's original two-year warranty, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity from A Collected Man.