Never bought: Philippe Dufour Duality

Behind The Lens: Philippe Dufour Duality – Reprise

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For this edition 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.

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Propped up: Simplicity by Philippe Dufour

Behind The Lens: The Philippe Dufour Simplicity – Reprise

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In the Behind the Lens series, GaryG presents great watches as seen from a variety of visual perspectives, while at the same time passing along a few thoughts on what it’s like to shoot these pieces. And, from time to time, a helpful technical hint or two. And great watches don’t come much better than the Philippe Dufour Simplicity.

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Philippe Dufour

Philippe Dufour 70th Birthday Celebration Film

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In early June 2018, nearly 200 people from all corners of the planet traveled to the the quiet Vallée de Joux in Switzerland to celebrate independent watchmaker Philippe Dufour’s 70th birthday party. Ian Skellern thought the occasion might make for a nice film and asked a few old friends to help out.

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Soul you can touch: Philippe Dufour Duality

Behind The Lens: Philippe Dufour Duality (Archive)

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For this edition 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.

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Philippe Dufour from the film "Timepiece"

‘Time Piece’: If You Only Watch One Film On Independent Watchmaking, Watch This One (Archive)

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

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Desktop Dufour Duality shot

Why Philippe Dufour Matters: Luckily It’s Not A Secret (Archive)

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“I have no secrets as past watchmakers had. There are graveyards full of secrets and that’s enough,” said Philippe Dufour in 2014. Have you heard of him? Chances are if you have been collecting watches for any significant period of time, his name is well known to you. If not, let me enlighten you.

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Parting shot: the record-setting LeCoultre Deep Sea alongside the author’s Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Grande GMT

You Are There: Experiences And Lessons From The 2017 Multi-Record-Breaking Phillips’ ‘Winning Icons’ Auction In New York

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Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past several months, you are well aware that on October 26, 2017 Phillips conducted an auction in New York City at which the Paul Newman Rolex Daytona owned by Mr. Newman himself was sold for more than $17.5 million, a record price for a wristwatch of any kind. I was fortunate to attend the auction and its attendant events: there was much more to see and some lessons to take away, about both the current state of the vintage market and bidding at auction.

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“crossbar / cutthroat razor” on the Laurent Ferrier Galet Tourbillon

The Schmidt List: Top 5 Funky Clicks

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The click spring is one of the smaller components of a mechanical watch, but it is of enormous importance. Ever wondered why the crown doesn’t retaliate furiously and unwind every time you crank it? Without the click spring, a wound mainspring would immediately – and explosively – uncoil like a raging viper in a hat box.

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Straight on: Philippe Dufour Simplicity

Why Philippe Dufour Matters. And It’s Not A Secret (Archive)

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

Have you heard of Philippe Dufour?

Chances are, if you have been collecting watches for any significant period of time, his name is well known to you. If not, let me enlighten you.

Read more
With the tools of the trade: Philippe Dufour Simplicity

Behind The Lens: The Philippe Dufour Simplicity (Archive)

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As regular readers know, the idea of the Behind the Lens series is to present great watches as seen from a variety of visual perspectives. Mostly, I feature watches on loan from my generous friends, but this time let’s look at a piece that I am very fortunate to have in my own collection: the legendary Simplicity by Philippe Dufour in a 37 mm white gold case with white lacquer dial.

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