On the centennial anniversary of the creation of a Geneva watchmaking company, Charles Dé, the founder's 50-year-old grandson, has had enough: he speaks eccentrically to a reporter, recognizing his grandfather as a craftsman and his son as a businessman, but being evasive about himself. He abandons his family and moves in with a young couple he meets by chance, cooking, reading, drinking, and participating in philosophical debates with them. The young couple develops an affection for Charles. He maintains contact with a daughter in secret, but the rest of the family hires a private investigator to track him down, precipitating a company takeover that threatens his Bohemian bliss.