Auction Moritz Grossmann Unveils a Unique Piece for the Philippe Dufour Foundation

One of the greatest challenges in watchmaking is to make complexity appear effortless, a subtle art that Moritz Grossmann has mastered with grace. The unique Dufour TEFNUT Silver-Plated by Friction embodies this philosophy. At first glance, it may appear to be a classic dress watch. However, a closer inspection reveals the intricate craftsmanship and attention to detail that define this one-of-a-kind timepiece.

Created as a unique piece to support the Philippe & Elisabeth Dufour Foundation, this new version of the Dufour TEFNUT Silver-Plated by Friction is more than a watch, it’s a symbol of shared values and fine craftsmanship. 

The foundation, established by Philippe Dufour along with his wife Elisabeth and daughter Daniella, is dedicated to supporting humanitarian, environmental, educational, and medical initiatives both in Switzerland and internationally.

This philanthropic venture aligns perfectly with Moritz Grossmann’s own values, particularly the foundation’s focus on promoting traditional craftsmanship, a mission that echoes the ethos of the Glashütte-based manufactory. It is this shared commitment that inspired Moritz Grossmann to create a special edition timepiece to be auctioned in support of the foundation’s causes.

The Dufour TEFNUT Silver-Plated by Friction will be sold at auction on May 11, 2025, during the Geneva Watch Auction: XXI (Lot 127). All proceeds from the sale will be donated to the foundation. With many exceptional timepieces going under the hammer of Phillips, we’ve also curated our top picks from the auction, not to be missed.

The case of the watch is crafted from brushed stainless steel, featuring a robust three-part construction and an elegant, rounded shape. Measuring 39 mm in length and just 8.5 mm in thickness, it boasts a slim and refined profile. A sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on one side ensures clear visibility, while the stainless steel crown, used for winding and time setting, integrates seamlessly into the overall design.

This unique piece takes its name from the traditional dial-finishing technique used in its creation: silver-plating by friction, also known as grain-plating. A 19th-century process, it gives the dial a velvety, matte texture. The finish is achieved by rubbing a paste composed of silver powder, salt, cream of tartar, and water, onto the dial with a small brush. The grain is then delicately polished to enhance the effect. Each step demands not only time but also a high level of skill and sensitivity, mastered today by only a select few artisans. The result is a captivating play of light and texture that adds to the watch’s singular character.

Among the distinctive features of this one-off piece are the dial’s engraved numerals, scales, and inscriptions, all lacquered in blue, a first for the TEFNUT line. The Moritz Grossmann logo appears in a historic typeface, paying homage to the brand’s heritage, while the handmade, heat-blued hands lend further elegance and coherence to the design.

Inside beats the exquisite in-house calibre 102.1, a manual-winding movement composed of 188 individually crafted components. It features a pillar construction and a mainplate made from untreated German silver. Operating at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz), the movement includes a lever escapement and the shock-resistant Grossmann balance, fitted with four inertia screws and two poising screws. 

A 48-hour power reserve and beautifully executed traditional finishes, including wide Glashütte ribbing and a hand-engraved balance cock, are visible through the sapphire crystal caseback.

The watch is fitted with a blue kudu leather strap secured by a stainless steel prong buckle. Its estimated auction price is CHF 27,000, approximately AED 119,500.

For more information visit Phillips official website.