Results for Philippe Dufour

Breaking News: Philippe Dufour Simplicity 20th Anniversary Sells for US$1.51m

The very first Philippe Dufour Simplicity 20th Anniversary to leave Mr Dufour’s workshop was the first major example of independent watchmaking at Phillips’ Retrospective: 2000-2020 auction. It set a very high bar, hammering for 1.1 million Swiss francs, or 1.36 million francs including fees, which is equivalent to US$1.51 million. Almost forty times the retail price of the Simplicity when it was launched in 2000, the price is a new record for the model. The result handily crosses an earlier record set just a month ago at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong, where an 34 mm example from the original production run sold for US$662,000. The Simplicity 20th Anniversary features a hinged hunter back, a feature not found in the original series Impressive as it is, the record price was reached swiftly. Although the estimate was 200,000-400,000 francs, a bidder on the phone represented by Tiffany To of Phillips opened with a 450,000 franc bid. The phone bidder was joined by a handful of fellow phone as well as in-room bidders – Mr Bacs commented during the proceedings there were seven phone lines active – along with a solo bid online from Singapore. The price rose quickly in 50,000 and 100,000 franc steps, with Ms To’s phone bidder clinching the prize. The seven-figure price for the Simplicity elevates Mr Dufour to the rarefied territory of living independent watchmakers whose wristwatches have sold for above US$1m at auction. There are just two watchmakers who can make that clai...

Auction Watch: The First Philippe Dufour Simplicity 20th Anniversary

Phillip’s upcoming Geneva auction on November 8 encompasses Retrospective: 2000-2020, a sale centred on important watches of the last 20 years. The Retrospective catalogue was curated by Blackbird, best known as the sole agent for Ferrari in Hong Kong, but also the publisher of a watch magazine. Naturally, independent watchmaking looms large in the selection, and a Philippe Dufour Simplicity was almost expected. Phillips and Blackbird have gone one further: going under the hammer will be the very first Philippe Dufour Simplicity 20th Anniversary, numbered “00/20”. Conceived to mark the two decades since Mr Dufour unveiled his signature wristwatch, the anniversary Simplicity is very much like the classic version of the watch, but enhanced with various extras. The 37 mm now includes a hinged, hunter case back, while the crown is topped with the “PD” logo. More obvious are the changes to the dial. While it retains the traditional guilloche and dauphine hands, the hour markers are now applied Breguet numerals and at 12 o’clock sits an extra-large “PD” emblem. The Simplicity 20th Anniversary is a limited edition of 21 watches, or more specifically, an edition of 20 plus this watch that is numbered “00/20”. There will be seven each in platinum, rose as well as white gold. The estimate on Simplicity “00/20” is 200,000-400,000 Swiss francs – reasonable relative to the record price recently set by Sotheby’s in Hong Kong – and it will be sold on Novembe...

Auction Watch: Philippe Dufour Simplicity Sells for Record US$662,000

Sotheby’s fall watch auction in Hong Kong included a diverse selection of independent watchmaking, including two examples of the Philippe Dufour Simplicity, both with silver guilloche dials. The first to go on the block was a 37 mm specimen in white gold with a movement number of 68. It sold to a client represented by Joey Luk of Sotheby’s watch department for HK$3.528m including fees, which is a little over US$455,000. That was substantially above the US$250,000-300,000 range that the Simplicity had generally sold for, setting a new record for the model. The next lot was a 34 mm Simplicity in platinum, numbered “100”. And then the record was broken. After a few minutes of back and forth between an online bidder, as well as phone bidders represented by Ms Luk and John Chan, also of Sotheby’s watch department, Mr Chan’s bidder triumphed with a bid of HK$4.1m. Inclusive of fees, the total was HK$5.136m, or about US$662,000, well over double the most recent high for the Simplicity. Part of the reason behind the price is rarity, not only absolute but also relative to other Simplicities. Platinum is unquestionably the rarest metal version for the watch, and 34 mm examples is are regarded to be fewer than 37 mm. The record price for both watches bode well for the Simplicity 20th Anniversary “00/20” – fresh from maker and offered by Mr Dufour himself – that will be sold at Phillips’ November auction in Geneva.  

Behind The Lens: Philippe Dufour Duality – Reprise

In this installment of Behind the Lens, GaryG shares a series of photographs of one of the great watches of our time, the Philippe Dufour Duality. The Duality, with its linked twin escapements, was originally planned for production in a series of 25 watches. In a turn of events that seems almost unbelievable today, a lack of initial demand eventually led Dufour to limit production to just nine pieces, one of which is owned by a good friend of Gary's.

‘Time Piece’ Short Film Featuring Philippe Dufour And Vianny Halter: If You Only Watch One Short Film On Independent Watchmaking, Watch This One – Reprise

The short documentary film 'Time Piece' features two of the world's best living watchmakers, Philippe Dufour and Vianney Halter, and provides excellent insight into what makes the watches by these masters so special.

Why Philippe Dufour Matters. And It’s Not A Secret – Reprise

“I have no secrets as past watchmakers had. There are graveyards full of secrets and that’s enough.” – Philippe Dufour, 2014

Review: The Pinnacle of Watchmaking – The Philippe Dufour Simplicity

Philippe Dufour Simplicity Within the Vallée de Joux, lies the village of Le Solliat. And in that village, a workshop, from whence the man known as “the living legend” handcrafts the finest wristwatches in the world. That man is none other than Philippe Dufour. Dufour first became an independent watchmaker in 1978. He started offRead More

1-on-1: Comparing the Philippe Dufour Simplicity and the Credor Eichi II

The Philippe Dufour Simplicity and Credor Eichi II are two of the most finely crafted watches to grace horology. How do they compare against one another?

First Ever Philippe Dufour Simplicity at an Auction Sells for USD256,396

The first of three Philippe Dufour Simplicities under the hammer this week in Hong Kong just got sold by Christie’s watch department for USD256,396 (HKD1,980,000).

Watchmaking gods? Lunch with Philippe Dufour and Stephen Forsey.

A report on the Naissance d’une Montre project following a lunch meeting with Philippe Dufour and Stephen Forsey with Christie's and Sincere Fine Watches in Singapore.

Budget Recommendations from Watchmaking Grandmasters -Philippe Dufour, Kari Voutilenen, Laurent Ferrier and Roger Smith

Watchmaking Grandmasters Philippe Dufour, Kari Voutilenen, Laurent Ferrier and Roger Smith were in Singapore last year for a plenary session arranged by THE HOUR GLASS at the Paragon. For the avid collectors and enthusiasts who attended the event, it was a chance to meet their idols in person - people, who have, through sheer grit, […]

Philippe Dufour Grande Sonnerie

The super grail watch, perhaps of all time. The Dufour Grande Sonnerie, in white gold, with a sapphire crystal dial. Philippe Dufour Grande Sonnerie In this configuration, a piece unique. Beyond words, which become superflous. But allow me to try and express my joy of being sble to photograph and handle this legendary piece. TheRead More

Portrait of a Legend: Philippe Dufour

Spending a day with one of the legends of Independent watchmaking – The Grandmaster himself: Philippe Dufour is always such a great pleasure. I count myself incredibly lucky to be able to own a Dufour Simplicity, and even more lucky to be able to call Philippe Dufour a good friend. So please pardon me forRead More

Portraits: Philippe Dufour

Some portraits of Grandmaster of Watchmaking – Philippe Dufour. Photographed in his workshop in Le Soliat, in the Swiss Jura. January 2011.

Philippe Dufour Simplicity

This is the iconic watch of the century…created by grand master watchmaker Philippe Dufour…after many years of only making super complicated watches…his portfolio before the Simplicity was the world premiere of a Grand et Petite Sonnerie on a wristwatch, and the world premiere of a wristwatch featuring dual, escapements to a single train known asRead More

The Revolutionary List: 25 Watchmakers and Construction – Philippe Dufour

The Revolutionary List: 30 Pioneering Watches – the Philippe Dufour Simplicity

A Closer Look: A Unique Philippe Dufour Simplicity with Butterfly Wings

Bring a Loupe: A Philippe Dufour Duality, A Zenith Caliber 135 Chronometer, And An Odd 1920s Cartier

All that and more in this week's edition of Hodinkee's What's Selling Where column.

Found: A Rare 20th Anniversary Philippe Dufour Simplicity Hits The Market

Weeks after Dufour's 75th Birthday, one of his phenomenal watches could sell for big money.

Rewind: It's Philippe Dufour's 75th Birthday! To Celebrate, Here Are Three Of Our Favorite Articles On The Independent Watchmaker

From a visit to his atelier to his daughter who's following in his footsteps, we rewind some of our favorite stories about the master watchmaker.

Business News: Philippe Dufour, Rexhep Rexhepi, Kari Voutilainen, And Other Luminaries To Judge The Inaugural Louis Vuitton Watch Prize

Earlier this year, LV Director of Watches Jean Arnault teased a serious committee. Today, the names are revealed.

Watch Spotting: Philippe Dufour, One Of The World's Most Esteemed Watchmakers, Is Now Wearing A Royal Oak 16202

What watch do you buy for a giant of the industry? Just ask his wife.

Auctions: Four Extremely Collectible Philippe Dufour Creations To Sell At The Phillips Geneva Auction

A master watchmaker’s signed oeuvre represented in one Geneva sale.

Business News: Philippe Dufour Names New Commercial Partner, And Gives Details Of 20th Anniversary Simplicity Collection

Oh, and we tell you how to order one, too.