The Philippe and Elisabeth Dufour Foundation has donated a scanner to the local hospital in Switzerland’s Vallée de Joux where the legendary watchmaker was born.
The foundation supports both local and international projects, including educational and aid initiatives in Peru and Madagascar.
Despite the Swiss region’s fame as a watchmaking centre, it struggles, the Dufour Foundation says, to maintain its healthcare infrastructure and public services.
Philippe Dufour was born at the Vallée de Joux Hospital in 1948.
He is considered perhaps the greatest living watchmaker, whose minute repeaters for Audemars Piguet from the 1980s are masterpieces.
The creation of the Dufour Foundation was announced last year on his 75th birthday and received its first funding from the sale of a Philippe Dufour Simplicity watch.
The donation to the Vallée de Joux Hospital hospital was made in partnership with the Paul-Edouard Piguet Foundation and the Louis Napoléon Foundation.
Dr. Naiken, Medical Director and Chief Surgeon, says: “The Philippe and Elisabeth Dufour Foundation is our largest donor. Our hospital now has essential technical equipment for reliable diagnostics, offering crucial time savings and better patient care, especially in life-threatening situations.”
The scanner has already been used hundreds of times.
In a statement, Philippe and Elisabeth Dufour said: “Our family has a strong connection with this hospital, and we know how much this establishment is supported by a fantastic team, led by Dr. Naiken, who dedicates his energy and skills to keeping it operational for the entire Vallée de Joux population.”
“We need to maintain a hospital here with 24/7 emergency services. Thanks to this scanner, we can detect, identify, and treat more effectively, saving many families from long distances and separation. Our goal was to contribute to this hospital, and we are happy to do so.”