A Photo essay on the delivery
of Four Dufour Simplicities,
and interviews with the new owners

12th. July 2002 is going to be a day to remember, as I was fortunate enough to be invited to witness the delivery of 4 Philippe Dufour Simplicity watches to 4 watch hobbyists. Mr. Peter Chong, a good friend of mine is in Australia and is unable to witness his baby's new arrival, but the other 3 perfectly sane adults look like drooling children in the face of their new watches. The Parcel was safely delivered by the always reliable Panalpina at a reasonable cost and looked like this on arrival.

Very quickly, one of the very impatient owners opened up the Carton. Mr. Dufour packed it well, as 2 small cartons were taken out from the big carton. The 4 watch boxes taken out from the 2 small cartons were also well-protected. The 4 beauties were shamelessly revealed, both full frontal.... and the naked back view! Here are various photographs of Peter's watch, firstly the external box, The beautiful internal box, The box when opened. Pay attention to the nice design, allowing the watch to be fitted in just right. The warranty card is tucked smartly inside a hidden folder (now opened)

Here is the full beauty of Pete's new baby and here is the movement, seen through the display back. My compliments to the excellent watches and Mr. Philippe Dufour I was, fortunately, able to interview the four proud owners and so here is what they had to say. They were each asked several questions. It should be pointed out that none of them knew how the others had answered the questions so, if some answers look very similar, it is purely coincidental. Ist of four: Mr. Peter Chong. Jaw: How long did you wait for your Simplicity? Owner: Too long. I knew this was the watch I wanted when I first saw it in Basel 2000, but it was too small. Thus began almost a year and two visits to his atelier in Le Soliat. It took till Basel 2001 for Dufour to show the 37mm model, when I confirmed the order. Jaw: During the long waiting period, did you ever regret having made the order at any point of time? Owner: Not for a single moment. Jaw: Were you worried about anything at any point of your waiting time? If so, what was it? Owner: No worries. Jaw: At this price, there are a lot of alternative watches you can buy, what made you decide on the Simplicity? Owner: The essence of the man Philippe Dufour is expressed in the simplest of watches, yet most perfect. Jaw: Even the expense of say, a Patek World Timer? Owner: No comments on the World Timer. Jaw: Now that you have the watch in your hand, does it meet your expectations? Owner: Yes. I can think of only one aesthetic point, and this has more to do with taste than craft...first being that I would have preferred the fausse cotes to be ruled in smaller intervals. Jaw: Your overall opinion of the watch? Owner: Fantastic. This is a beautiful piece of work. Magnificent in every sense. Jaw: If I pay you CHF42, 000. - now, would you sell it? Owner: Of course not. The wait is worth more than that. We can start to talk when you put US$420k cash on the table. Jaw: Why not? Owner: As above. Jaw: Since Mr. Dufour is a one man (more like 3 persons now) show, and there is no service centre in Singapore, are you worried about future maintenance of your watch? Owner: Not worried in the slightest. The principles of construction and layout is utterly traditional and completely consistent with the style of the valee de joux. I think any competent watchmaker can do the job. Now, the Grande Sonnerie or even the Duality may be another matter. Jaw: What is the one most impressive thing about the Simplicity? And about Philippe Dufour? Owner: er...the simplicity, and the complexity, indeed the ironical juxtaposition of both. 'nuff said. Jaw: If you are forced to say something negative about your watch? And Mr. Dufour? Owner: Forced to say something? On the watch, I would make the small aesthetic change above. About Mr. Dufour? I wish he answered his emails... Jaw: Anything else you want to tell The PuristS about the Simplicity? Mr. Dufour? Owner: Ultimate watch to own. Jaw: One final question, did you sleep well on the night of 12th. July 2002? Owner: Not at all...was tossing and turning all night in wintry Sydney. The 2nd of four new owners Jaw: How long did you wait for your Simplicity? Owner: Too long ---- one & half years but good things are worth waiting for, and this one's more than good... Jaw: During the long waiting period, did you ever regret having made the order at any point of time? Owner: No regrets, but to be honest there were times I had doubts I'd get to wear it before Basel 2003.. Jaw: Were you worried about anything at any point of your waiting time? If so, what was it? Owner: Not worries, more anxieties like "has Philippe discovered new interest", "has he hit a snag" & like. Jaw: At this price, there are a lot of alternative watches you can buy, what made you decide on the Simplicity? Owner: Simple --- a new hand-made basic timepiece of original design made by an artist with no apologies to any manufacture. Jaw: Even the expense of say, a Patek World Timer? Owner: They have different appeals for me but already voted with my money. Jaw: Now that you have the watch in your hand, does it meet your expectations? Owner: See answer to #1. Jaw: Your overall opinion of the watch? Owner: Understated extravagance --- even my wife cant guess how much I paid! Jaw: If I pay you CHF42, 000. - now, would you sell it? Owner: Uhhhh, gotta ask Philippe whether he'll make me a new one at the old price. Kidding, get off!. Jaw: Why not? Owner: The first one is always the best. Jaw: Since Mr. Dufour is a one man (more like 3 persons now) show, and there is no service centre in Singapore, are you worried about future maintenance of your watch? Owner: Life's too short. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it... Jaw: What is the one most impressive thing about the Simplicity? And about Philippe Dufour? Owner: That it was conceived by an outstanding watchmaker who is a man of admirable character, not a brand-owner or a committee of marketing suits more concerned about their personal egos and fattening profits than art of true value. Jaw: If you are forced to say something negative about your watch? And Mr. Dufour? Owner: That there's only one of him, but maybe that's a big positive. Jaw: Anything else you want to tell The PuristS about the Simplicity? Mr. Dufour? Owner: All of the above, one more time. Jaw: One final question, did you sleep well on the night of 12th. July 2002? Owner: Like mid-lifer with bladder control challenges, waking up every few hours to make sure I still had it! The 3rd of four Jaw: How long did you wait for your Simplicity? Owner: Too long, but there is some consolation that future owners will now have to wait even longer. Jaw: During the long waiting period, did you ever regret having made the order at any point of time? Owner: Nary a moment. Jaw: Were you worried about anything at any point of your waiting time? If so, what was it? Owner: Nope, I believe Philippe to be a man of honour. Jaw: At this price, there are a lot of alternative watches you can buy, what made you decide on the Simplicity? Owner: My friendship with, and respect for, Philippe. And the desire to encourage some one who dares to fight alone to defend his principles of purity in design and movement integrity. Jaw: Even the expense of say, a Patek World Timer? Owner: Definitely! Jaw: Now that you have the watch in your hand, does it meet your expectations? Owner: Yes, especially when i treasure the passion of the man who made it for me. Jaw: Your overall opinion of the watch? Owner: I would have to say that the one thing which makes it short of 100 percent perfect is that the lugs could curve a bit more to hug the wrist. Jaw: If I pay you CHF42, 000. - now, would you sell it? Owner: Nope - it's definitely something for my children to treasure. Jaw: Why not? Owner: I would almost feel that I was betraying Philippe. Jaw: Since Mr. Dufour is a one man (more like 3 persons now) show, and there is no service centre in Singapore, are you worried about future maintenance of your watch? Owner: You know something - I don't think of it that way. I see it as providing an excuse to visit Philippe in Le Sentier. Jaw: What is the one most impressive thing about the Simplicity? And about Philippe Dufour? Owner: Honesty, integrity and..... Simplicity. Jaw: If you are forced to say something negative about your watch? And Mr. Dufour? Owner: Watch: see 7. Philippe - nothing. Jaw: Anything else you want to tell The PuristS about the Simplicity? Mr. Dufour? Owner: Buy the watch only if you can afford it. But also if you believe, as I do, that it's important to defend a man who wants to be free to speak his mind and express his art without the fetters of corporate bureaucracy. Jaw: One final question, did you sleep well on the night of 12th. July 2002? Owner: Yes, I did. No trouble there. The 4th and final new owner Jaw: How long did you wait for your Simplicity? Owner: Too long, I think only watch lovers can understand what I thought was forever! Jaw: During the long waiting period, did you ever regret having made the order at any point of time? Owner: Not at all, it was the best watch buying decision I've ever made! Jaw: Were you worried about anything at any point of your waiting time? If so, what was it? Owner: Not worried, but somewhat concerned that he is not working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year :-) Jaw: At this price, there are a lot of alternative watches you can buy, what made you decide on the Simplicity? Owner: I decided years ago, the only regret is that we confirmed the final details with Philippe too late! Jaw: Even the expense of say, a Patek World Timer? Owner: What is a Patek? Jaw: Now that you have the watch in your hand, does it meet your expectations? Owner: Yes, it even exceeded my expectation, In some ways, I think our 4 watches are finished better than the one I've seen. Jaw: Your overall opinion of the watch? Owner: If there is no such thing as perfection, than this is the closest you can get! To me, Simplicity is the essence of Mr. Philippe Dufour, a simple man and yet a stubborn perfectionist. Jaw: If I pay you CHF42, 000. - now, would you sell it? Owner: Come On! Would you torture yourselves in the worst way for the next 2-3 years if I pay you as much? Jaw: Why not? Owner: It's mine!, mine! Mine! Jaw: Since Mr. Dufour is a one man (more like 3 persons now) show, and there is no service centre in Singapore, are you worried about future maintenance of your watch? Owner: Although it is a basic watch and unlikely to run into problems, I will not allow any other watchmaker to open up this watch!, I will visit Le Sentier instead. Jaw: What is the one most impressive thing about the Simplicity? And about Philippe Dufour? Owner: The many sharp and beautiful edges and the perfectly polished movement. As for my old friend Philippe, let's put it this way. He is the last of the breed, in an industry dominated by 3 big companies, we need more people like him! Jaw: If you are forced to say something negative about your watch? And Mr. Dufour? Owner: You mean like if you put a gun to my head? Can I give you all my money instead? Jaw: Anything else you want to tell The PuristS about the Simplicity? Mr. Dufour? Owner: I first met Mr. Philippe Dufour in 1996 when a Singapore watchmaker introduced him to me; I remembered being very impressed but regret not ordering anything from him then. In my view, if your money goes to Mr. Dufour, it is worth it and you should be proud of it! Jaw: One final question, did you sleep well on the night of 12th. July 2002? Owner: Tossing and turning, struggling not to look at the watch as I was afraid I may not be able to sleep. Regards Jaw WatchRap, ThePuristS open discussion board Comments, suggestions, and corrections to this article are welcomed. Please e-mail comments or sign the guestbook. Copyright July 2002 - "Jaw" and ThePuristS.com - all rights reserved