Dominique Arpa-Cirpka lends her art to The Philippe & Elisabeth Dufour Foundation

​Meet the artist Dominique Arpa-Cirpka during Watches & Wonders at the ArtyA Genève booth (La Place)


The Philippe Dufour Simplicity is a timepiece revered in the world of high-precision watchmaking. This unique model takes the idea of elegance and refinement to the next level with a truly exceptional dial. Conceived and created by artist Dominique Arpa-Cirpka, the watch face stands out for its bold use of genuine butterfly wings, transformed into a horological work of art. Each wing is meticulously crafted to capture its fragile, fleeting beauty while creating a mesmerizing play of light. This original creation embodies a rare fusion of fine watchmaking and artistic craftsmanship. 

Every detail of the dial tells a story, encapsulating the very essence of nature within an haute horlogerie timepiece. Housed in a 37 mm rose gold case, the soft curves frame the dial’s beauty in ideal proportions. This case harmonizes perfectly with the refined mechanical movement inside—a hand-wound caliber by Philippe Dufour, meticulously hand-finished to deliver not only outstanding precision but also exceptional aesthetic refinement.


Established in Collonge-Bellerive, just outside Geneva, Dominique Arpa-Cirpka has been drawing and painting since childhood. In 1983, she studied Fine Arts in Zurich and was awarded the Chinet Prize in 1984. From 1987 to 1990, she attended the Germinal workshop led by Swiss painter Jacques Walther, from the neighboring canton of Vaud, who regarded her as his most gifted student and arranged her first solo exhibition. During this period, she also traveled extensively through India, Africa, the Middle East, and the South Pacific—journeys that inspired three major exhibitions in Switzerland between 1996 and 2005. In 2001, following the birth of her third child, she opened her own studio, L’Esquisse, in Collonge-Bellerive.
Since 2009, she has collaborated on the creation of artistic watch dials, initially for RJ Watches with the "Moon-Dust DNA" project, and later for the independent brand ArtyA Geneva, applying unique artistic techniques to the world of watchmaking.


“In 2009, my husband Yvan Arpa founded his own haute horlogerie brand, ArtyA. Since then, I’ve been involved in creating one-of-a-kind artistic dials for the Son of Arts collection. All the techniques I use come from the art world—most of them are unprecedented in watchmaking. The materials vary widely, from butterfly wings to gold leaf, from pigments to paint to collage, seaweed, and more.”


Dominique Arpa-Cirpka


Meet artist Dominique Arpa-Cirpka and discover her unique creations during Watches & Wonders at the ArtyA Genève space (La Place).

Explore the artist’s full portfolio at www.cirpka.com
Discover the ArtyA Art Butterfly collections at www.artya.com/collection-art
 

Helping, giving, and supporting are essential actions that embody the feeling of solidarity with those in distress. Grand or modest, these actions can bring hope and comfort, transforming lives. To be human is to show empathy and compassion—to actively seek to support those in need, to ease their daily struggles and help build a better future.


All proceeds from the sale will be donated in full to the Foundation to support essential charity projects. This is the spirit of this exceptional auction, which brings together master watchmakers and collectors, united in their desire to provide concrete support to those most in need.


Philippe and Elisabeth Dufour said:


“We all come from somewhere, we all have a story, and we can all be bearers of hope. Beyond differences in color, culture, belief, and ethnicity, we all suffer in the face of adversity. Suffering knows no boundaries, and neither does poverty. In the face of these hardships, we are all equals. We do not claim to save the entire world, but together, we can make a difference. May tears be transformed into optimism with our selfless help, and may every heart, where boundless kindness resides, remind us of our shared humanity. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the watchmaking community that supports our cause and shares our values for this second charity auction, as well as to Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo and their entire team. With them, we are confident that the spirit of solidarity will continue to thrive.”


The watches can be viewed online and at Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo in Geneva in the weeks leading up to the sale, which will take place on May 10, 2025, at the Hôtel Président in Geneva. For more details on the auction, registration, and watch previews, please visit phillips.com or contact the Phillips Watches Department.