His Simplicity watch collection - arguably the most desirable timepiece by Dufour - also has a close connection to Asian collectors, especially in Japan. Out of the 200 pieces ever made, 120 were sold via Shellman - an institutional watch boutique in Tokyo founded by Yoshi Isogai.

"Asian collectors are more knowledgeable now. The evolution has been remarkable," Dufour says. "It's good news for us [independent watchmakers]. We do what we do out of love and passion. Today, we are getting more recognition for that."

While the Asian market might have opened doors for Dufour, it was Vallee de Joux that nurtured his knowhow and skills.

Growing up in a family of watchmakers including his father and grandfather, the interest in mechanics came naturally for Dufour. After graduating from Ecole d'Horlogerie de la Vallee de Joux, Dufour began his career with Jaeger-LeCoultre. His next venture with General Watch & Co took him to the Caribbean. He returned to his roots in 1974. After short stints at Gerald Genta and Audemars Piguet, he decided to go solo in 1978. Dufour spent the first few years of his independent career on restoring pocket watches for auction houses.

"Some of the best pocket watches were made from 1850s to 1920s, very technical watches - minute repeaters from Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin, for example," Dufour says. "After working on those pieces, I wanted to make watches like those again. So I began working on the side."

The result was the Grande et Petite Sonnerie open-faced pocket watch. Only five pieces were made. One was auctioned at Sotheby's in 2012, fetching the considerable sum of HK$1.34 million. Dufour, however, wasn't able to take full credit of the important piece as it was made for Audemars Piguet and retailed by Asprey.

"Back then, nobody knew me. People congratulated my work and encouraged me to carry on but no one offered to buy it so I took it to Audemars Piguet," Dufour says. "It took me five years to deliver the entire order and by the time I was done, I decided I would only make watches bearing my own name."

In 1992, Dufour finally claimed the spotlight by launching the Grande et Petite Sonnerie minute repeater wristwatch at Baselworld.

"I spent two and a half years on the watch," Dufour says. "I took all the pieces out from the pocket watch and worked out the balanced ratio for the wristwatch."

During the time, Dufour worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week, even at Christmas. He also learned computer modelling software to help.

"Windows wasn't there yet. I was literally designing using MSDOS operating system," Dufour adds. "Looking back, I admit I was a bit crazy. I was obsessed with the piece. I didn't make any money for those two years."

One of the Grande et Petite Sonnerie wristwatches was auctioned at Sotheby's for HK$4.82 million four years ago, well above the estimate of HK$2.2-3.2 million. The piece is now hotly sought after by avid collectors.

"I was pretty upset after the show because despite all the interest, I didn't sell anything until I showed in Singapore," he says.

Now still working most of the time as a one-man band, Dufour admits that he had failed at building a team.

"I preferred to work alone rather than having someone always whining about the difficulties. That would just make me nervous," he says. "I don't think the younger generation is ready to fight for [perfection]. They lose motivation very fast."

The master watchmaker has always dedicated his efforts to passing on his know-how. Independent watchmakers such as Kari Voutilainen and Romain Gauthier are close with Dufour.

In 2011, Dufour joined Greubel Forsey to launch the Garde Temps-Naissance d'une Montre project which aims to preserve historical techniques and skills of traditional watchmaking.

The project enlisted Michel Boulanger, a young teacher at Paris Watchmaking School, to create a high-quality timepiece entirely by hand, without the use of computer-controlled machines. The first prototype, featuring a hand-wound tourbillon with three hands, was unveiled in 2015 and is scheduled to be auctioned in May at Christie's Hong Kong.

"I was convinced that mechanical watches would never die," Dufour says. "Everything is done the way it should be. I take no shortcuts, no cheap parts."

Dufour's most revered Simplicity is probably the best example to demonstrate his approach. Following his complicated creations - the Grande Sonnerie and Duality featuring twin-escapements - Dufour began working on a simplistic piece, and also a piece he wants for himself.

"As soon as I started, I realised that [making] a simple yet well-balanced watch would not be easy at all," he says. Dufour has worn the Simplicity No.000 every day for the past 16 years.

The production for Simplicity ended in late 2012 but requests kept coming. Dufour says he gets at least three emails a week asking for more Simplicity watches.

Although he has little intention of resuming production right now, prospects could be bright for the future now that he has begun grooming a veteran watchmaker friend who recently retired from Audemars Piguet.

MILESTONES

Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre

Returns to Switzerland from working with General Watch & Co in the Caribbean

Starts working as an independent watchmaker

Creates first movement - Grande Sonnerie - for pocket watches

Presents the Grande Sonnerie wristwatch

Travels to Singapore for trunk show

Launches Duality Double Escapement

Launches Simplicity

Delivers the last Simplicity and ceases production

Wins Hommage au Talent Award from Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie