Horology matters full#

TraditionĪnother thing that Dufour has in common with many other great watchmakers is the time that he spent as a restorer of fine vintage timepieces. Here’s that watch, seen on my wrist (what you can’t see are the chills that were running down my spine). Philippe Dufour Simplicity on the wrist of the author (photo GaryG) When I was a young instrumentalist, any trip to the music store or request for an audition inevitably began with the query, “Who’s your teacher?” Whether in playing or composing, apprenticeship has long been a critical element of musical mastery, and the same is true of top-level watchmaking. The five key descriptors I feel are critical to understanding Dufour’s significance to the watch world are: foundation, tradition, innovation, perfection, and perpetuation. Nonetheless, I have such deep respect for Philippe that I’d like to set out my personal views: first on why I believe that he is important to the world of horology, and second on why he is important to me as a person.

My Quill & Pad colleagues Elizabeth and Ian have both written at length on the man, he has appeared in videos and movies, and there is even a Japanese comic book about him! That said, a great deal has already been said, written, and recorded about Philippe Dufour. I meet many people in my watch-related comings and goings who aren’t either aware, or fully aware, of Dufour and his work. But I’m not assuming that everyone reading these words is a collector, or even a dyed-in-the-wool watch enthusiast.

Horology matters full#

There are graveyards full of secrets and that’s enough.” –Philippe Dufour, 2014Ĭhances are, if you have been collecting watches for any significant period of time, his name is well known to you. “I have no secrets as past watchmakers had.