Saffrey was a master of the etching needle. He used precise lines to define the weight of buildings. In works like View Taken From the Dock of the Grand Augustins, he captured the light reflecting off the Seine. His style avoided the soft edges of Impressionism. Instead, he preferred the clarity of architectural drafts. This technical accuracy makes his work a primary source for historians studying the urban centre of 19th-century France.

Modern collectors value Saffrey for his restrained aesthetic. His monochrome prints fit well in contemporary interiors. They offer a window into the history of Paris without the sentimentality found in later postcards. Pieces such as L'Hotel de Ville de Paris provide a sense of scale and permanence. These prints appeal to those who appreciate the intersection of art and engineering.