Independents

It’s the answer to the question that no-one should ask, but since a few have asked, here (for what it’s worth) are some strictly personal observations upon the Philippe Dufour ‘Simplicity’ (“PD”) alongside the Kari Voutilainen ‘Observatoire’ (“KV”). Both ...  

Comparing these 2 pure monsters of horology is just painful for the reader who dreams about these pieces ( and I include myself in this long list ) But suffering may be good, and here is a very nice example. I must confess a light weakness for the KV. The... 

Thanks so much pplater. My layman thoughts: I will always regard Dufour as The One. His place in history is most relevant. He is The One who made Kari 'possible'. (Certainly not in terms of talent. But before Dufour, there was no independent worth mention... 

Thank you for your wonderful "compare and contrast": no first among equals indeed. Your final picture (of the PD) is quite amazing: luminous, radiant, the lighting gives the dial a look akin to that of mother of pearl. Congratulations on the wonderful wat... 

I must confess I prefer the Observatoire. Because in Kari's watch there is something classic with a touch of originality (the case, the lugs, the hands, the balance bridge etc...) I don't find in the Simplicity. The Simplicity is of course impressive but ...  

Thanx for the beautifull report pplatter! @ Fr.Xavier... fully agree with you. The Voulianen has something more playful in it's design, which i really like.

If I had to choose between the two, it would be a very difficult decision indeed. You are fortunate to have both, and we certainly appreciate the time and effort that went into the comparison of these two incredible pieces. I tend to agree with Mostel abo... 

Now we need a comparison of the minute repeaters made by PD and KV . . . That would be very interesting. Craig

a future REFERENCE standard report. Incredible writeup pplater!!! This rightfully belongs in the archives of premier comparison reviews IMHO. Thanks for sharing!!

And secondly, great comparison review of the Simplicity and Observatoire! Since PD and KV watches are known primarily for their movement finishing, has anyone asked either of them for a custom watch with NO dial? Is the movement finished as well on the di... 

pplater, you have done a wonderful job of documenting the strengths, similarities, and differences of these two works from today's masters. I particularly appreciated your section on "the experience" -- your article would have been superb even without it,... 

Thank you very much Kevin for such wonderful treat. They both are marvelous pieces and I love them both. Form your pictures, Observatoire seems a lot bigger than the Simplicity, that will be the only concern I have for my small wrist. Hopefully the downwa... 

for such detail comparison post, this will keep lots of our WISdom alive and continue to dream to get either one.

It has contributed much to my ongoing education and more so growing interests in Independents. From an aesthetics POV, "static" shots of both tend to favor the KV but on wrist shots, the PD seems to come out better for me. Thank you again for the time and... 

Thank you for the comparison. Now how about a comparison between the KV and the Sinn? - SJX

Congrats on your 1000th post also. Is it time to change your avatar from a Novitiate to a Superior? I think you have moved well beyond the level of novice in the world of horology. I learned a great deal from your article, and found the pictures to be ver... 

That’s a brilliant review and comparison of these two iconic pieces of haute horlogerie. It’s also a fitting contribution for your 1000 th post. I thought I knew these two watches fairly thoroughly from what has been written of them in the past, but you b... 

I have throughly enjoyed reading this beautifully written article. It would be well deserved that hopefully it will be placed into the reference section for all to see and read. I truly admire both these great master watchmakers and their work. I hope tha... 

Thanks pplater for a great report. I am very divided on these two "equals". I prefer the Voutilainen dial side with its more modern design, but the Dufour movement side with the perfection of its proportions. Just can't decide... Don

NT

What a showdown between two living legends! Enjoyed it thoroughly,many thanks for sharing. Fernando

. . . thank you kindly, sir. Most cordially, Art

After looking at every aspect of these two watches, the most relevant seems to be the emotional experience. It would be hard to pick one over the other each morning. I ordered my Simplicity a year before I even heard of Kari for the first time and I'm sti... 

Does not get much better than that either in posts or watches! Many thanks.

What a treat to see both of these beauties side by side, a rare occurance. This was a great opportuinty for all of us to learn so much about two amazing watches. If AT would allow a top ten posts of the year list I would vote for this one to be included. ... 

A fantastic post. I loved every single chapter; with my favorites being the ones about the movements and ironically the crowns. And I especially enjoyed your analogies between Dufour and Voutilainen. Please feel free to include a post about the packaging ... 

Your comparison has definitely open another side of view of PD and I must agree that both these 2 gems are legends in the making. However, I still have the slight weakness for KV's Observatoire over PD's Simplicity. Just my very personal view. Can't wait ... 

Finally I found answer to the eternal question and all the sub-questions regarding KV & PD Thank you for this marvel Sincerely Damian

I will wait with great enthusiasm pplater Thank you for the fantastic write-up and comparison. Sam

Great job, pplater. Super comparison, and very comprehensive. Thanks for posting this. Personally prefer the looks of the Kari - unmistakable style. Tim

of the two wonders. A great post and a great service to this community. A best read for me on this long weekend. I'm sure I among many others will read it again many times in future.

No technical gobbley-gook, just pure emotional analysis. While both watches are superb, I prefer the PD. Great job and thanks.

pplater, Thank you for taking the time to craft your review. I have never commented on either watch before but your observations and commentary has pushed me into making a CHOICE in public (gasp faint gulp): Kari Voutilainen Why? Because it is an 'honest'... 

[First, a quick word of thanks to all who have responded to this post thus far. Your comments have been kind and a little humbling. Many of the comments and questions have received a response by PM but, MTF, yours was so galvanising (in a genuinely positi... 

pplater, I could...nay...should...take the easy route and simply state that it's a visceral feeling. From a PuristS viewpoint, that may prove to be the ultimately correct answer; seeking perfection in an imperfect world, my perfection is my perception. Or... 

Are you sure you would not compare Ch. Latour with Screaming Eagle? If I had to choose, it would be the KV for the love of the balance wheel and the more robust form. The pedigree movement would always win over the proprietary finished piece. Loved the re... 

MTF, Today, it is not easy to find an "honest watch" with the maker's genuine philosophy in horology, quality of its execution and its price as a whole package. Regards Ling

I think you have just managed to counter GLOBAL recession and made reading a fine, superb post...with details and pictures. Certainly from my perspective of having very close relations with these objects, I sincerely feel that just reading your presentati... 

with us. These watches, it would be hard for me to choose, are so incredible. Geo

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It stands on its own merits as a complete entity - an enlightening personal view of two of the leading watches of today. I would nevertheless like to add my own humble perspective. The thing which sets watches such as these apart from any time-only piece ... 

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I agree with everything you said.

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Tremendous job, well written and I love the comparison. Of course, you are in a world, that many of us aspire to, but few reach. Larry

I can't see your photo of the KV deployant closely enough to confirm, but my buckle (of identical design) is clearly stamped "750" indicating that it is gold, not SS. Any chance you can check yours again? Thanks, Gary

Thank you Gary; although it did not seem possible to examine the watch more minutely than had already occurred, on further inspection you are (of course) entirely correct. The embarrassment of having made the mistake in the first place is equalled only by... 

When I read your initial post, I took out my watch and began to inspect the clasp, looking for hallmarks in the "usual" places near the ends. It was only when I held the watch in a certain light that the markings became visible! As you know, in most photo... 

I'm truly impressed by these two watches which are the nicest examples of the traditional and independent Haute Horlogerie . If I had to choose between the two, I would take the KV. Thanks for sharing pplater, Emmanuel

hi all, does anybody know how much the watches of Dufour and Voutilainen cost. thanks

nt