Property of the Original Owner
877Σ︎
Philippe Dufour
Simplicity in steel
An exquisite, extremely rare, first time to appear publicly and only known stainless steel wristwatch with grey guilloché dial, Breguet numerals, small seconds, certificate and presentation box
Estimate
HK$2,800,000–5,600,000
€304,000–607,000
$359,000–718,000
Live 30 May, 12 PM Hong Kong SAR China Time
Manufacturer
Philippe Dufour
Year
Circa 2020
Movement No
210
Model Name
Simplicity in steel
Material
Stainless steel
Calibre
Manual, cal. 11. 21 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Crocodile
Clasp/Buckle
Stainless steel Philippe Dufour pin buckle
Dimensions
37mm diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
Accessories
Accompanied by Philippe Dufour certificate dated 18th December 2020, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Full-Cataloguing
Good To Know:
- First example of such configuration to grace the market
- 37mm stainless steel case with slate grey Breguet guilloché dial
- Offered by the original owner
- Preserved in immaculate condition
In the hushed embrace of the Vallée de Joux, amid the serene meadows of Le Solliat, a singular silhouette emerges: a man, loupe perched upon his brow, drawing thoughtfully on an elegant pipe as tendrils of smoke curl upward from his atelier. This is Philippe Dufour, a name synonymous with the soul of horology, a living legend, an unyielding guardian of traditional watchmaking, and an eternal inspiration to every artisan who dares to chase perfection.
Since the late 1970s, as an independent watchmaker Dufour breathed new life into antique and vintage timepieces, honing his mastery until, a decade later, he unveiled ultra-rare pocket watches and grand sonneries that redefined wrist-borne complication. Then came the Duality, the world’s first wristwatch with a double escapement and a breathtaking testament to his genius in crafting mechanisms of sublime complexity.
Yet, having conquered the heights of haute horlogerie, Dufour got back to his bench again in the year 2000 to forge something profoundly different: an icon of restraint and purity. The Simplicity. A three-handed masterpiece, understated yet transcendent born as an homage to the timeless essence of Swiss watchmaking. Every example is entirely handmade and assembled by his own hands, a quiet rebellion against industrial haste.
Produced in variations of pink gold, white gold and platinum; the classic 34mm and the more commanding 37mm, the Simplicity offered two dial expressions: pristine white lacquer or exquisite hand-guilloché artistry. Originally envisioned as a strict edition of 100 pieces, overwhelming demand from the world’s most discerning collectors compelled Dufour to extend production to approximately 205. Japan with its passionate legion of connoisseurs, claimed a remarkable share: of the 204 Simplicities crafted between 2000 and 2012, 120 found homes there. Two decades on, in 2020, Dufour paid tribute to his creation’s anniversary with a poignant chapter: 20 extraordinary pieces, distinguished by hinged hunter casebacks.
Collectors all over the world recognized the Simplicity for what it truly is: a modern masterpiece. Orders surged like a tidal wave; movement quotas vanished. Those fortunate enough to secure a place on the list endured years of patient anticipation, knowing the wait was itself a privilege.
This present example, a 37mm Simplicity from 2020, emerges fresh-to-the-market after six years of reverent seclusion in its original red-wood box preserved in immaculate condition by an astute collector. It carries two traits of breathtaking rarity. First, its case is rendered in stainless steel with “Acier” handwritten on the certificate, an anomaly among all known 34mm and 37mm Simplicities, this is the only steel specimen to grace the market. Second, its dial is a mesmerizing slate-grey guilloché canvas, adorned with full Breguet numerals rather than the standard Arabic markers at 3, 9, and 12. Adding poetic contrast, the numerals and hands gleam in warm pink gold which defies the convention of matching to the case metal.
A white-gold counterpart bearing this same exquisite dial configuration achieved an astonishing CHF 1,022,200 at Phillips Geneva Watch Auction XVI in 2022. This steel iteration, with its daring material and harmonious dissonance, stands as an even rarer find.
Engraved with movement number 210, the bridges flow with gentle, hypnotic curves, bold inward and outward angles catch the light with seductive precision. Hand-applied Geneva stripes ripple like liquid silk punctuated by vivid red rubies. Every surface, every chamfer, every flourish is an uncompromising devotion by the master.
For the true connoisseur, the wait was rapture. To own a Dufour is to possess divinity in miniature: flawless craftsmanship that speaks in whispers, and the sublime, tactile symphony of winding the mainspring—a sound as intimate and exhilarating as a heartbeat.
Phillips is profoundly honoured to present this transcendent Simplicity to the world’s most passionate collectors. It is more than a watch; it is an unquestionable legacy, a blazing statement of horological artistry, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to claim a piece of living history.
- First example of such configuration to grace the market
- 37mm stainless steel case with slate grey Breguet guilloché dial
- Offered by the original owner
- Preserved in immaculate condition
In the hushed embrace of the Vallée de Joux, amid the serene meadows of Le Solliat, a singular silhouette emerges: a man, loupe perched upon his brow, drawing thoughtfully on an elegant pipe as tendrils of smoke curl upward from his atelier. This is Philippe Dufour, a name synonymous with the soul of horology, a living legend, an unyielding guardian of traditional watchmaking, and an eternal inspiration to every artisan who dares to chase perfection.
Since the late 1970s, as an independent watchmaker Dufour breathed new life into antique and vintage timepieces, honing his mastery until, a decade later, he unveiled ultra-rare pocket watches and grand sonneries that redefined wrist-borne complication. Then came the Duality, the world’s first wristwatch with a double escapement and a breathtaking testament to his genius in crafting mechanisms of sublime complexity.
Yet, having conquered the heights of haute horlogerie, Dufour got back to his bench again in the year 2000 to forge something profoundly different: an icon of restraint and purity. The Simplicity. A three-handed masterpiece, understated yet transcendent born as an homage to the timeless essence of Swiss watchmaking. Every example is entirely handmade and assembled by his own hands, a quiet rebellion against industrial haste.
Produced in variations of pink gold, white gold and platinum; the classic 34mm and the more commanding 37mm, the Simplicity offered two dial expressions: pristine white lacquer or exquisite hand-guilloché artistry. Originally envisioned as a strict edition of 100 pieces, overwhelming demand from the world’s most discerning collectors compelled Dufour to extend production to approximately 205. Japan with its passionate legion of connoisseurs, claimed a remarkable share: of the 204 Simplicities crafted between 2000 and 2012, 120 found homes there. Two decades on, in 2020, Dufour paid tribute to his creation’s anniversary with a poignant chapter: 20 extraordinary pieces, distinguished by hinged hunter casebacks.
Collectors all over the world recognized the Simplicity for what it truly is: a modern masterpiece. Orders surged like a tidal wave; movement quotas vanished. Those fortunate enough to secure a place on the list endured years of patient anticipation, knowing the wait was itself a privilege.
This present example, a 37mm Simplicity from 2020, emerges fresh-to-the-market after six years of reverent seclusion in its original red-wood box preserved in immaculate condition by an astute collector. It carries two traits of breathtaking rarity. First, its case is rendered in stainless steel with “Acier” handwritten on the certificate, an anomaly among all known 34mm and 37mm Simplicities, this is the only steel specimen to grace the market. Second, its dial is a mesmerizing slate-grey guilloché canvas, adorned with full Breguet numerals rather than the standard Arabic markers at 3, 9, and 12. Adding poetic contrast, the numerals and hands gleam in warm pink gold which defies the convention of matching to the case metal.
A white-gold counterpart bearing this same exquisite dial configuration achieved an astonishing CHF 1,022,200 at Phillips Geneva Watch Auction XVI in 2022. This steel iteration, with its daring material and harmonious dissonance, stands as an even rarer find.
Engraved with movement number 210, the bridges flow with gentle, hypnotic curves, bold inward and outward angles catch the light with seductive precision. Hand-applied Geneva stripes ripple like liquid silk punctuated by vivid red rubies. Every surface, every chamfer, every flourish is an uncompromising devotion by the master.
For the true connoisseur, the wait was rapture. To own a Dufour is to possess divinity in miniature: flawless craftsmanship that speaks in whispers, and the sublime, tactile symphony of winding the mainspring—a sound as intimate and exhilarating as a heartbeat.
Phillips is profoundly honoured to present this transcendent Simplicity to the world’s most passionate collectors. It is more than a watch; it is an unquestionable legacy, a blazing statement of horological artistry, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to claim a piece of living history.
Philippe Dufour
Swiss | 1989Philippe 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.