Martin Visser designed the SE69 in 1959 for 't Spectrum, the Dutch modernist furniture maker where he served as head designer for two decades. His guiding principle was furniture with as little material and as simple shapes as possible — and the SE69 is that idea distilled: a square tubular steel frame, powder-coated black, straight armrests in solid oak or walnut, and upholstered seat and back. Sixty-odd years on, Pastoe still makes it. Some chairs earn their catalog place. This one has never had to argue for it.