GPHG 2018 a mixture of laughter and emotion

“The most successful GPHG”; “An evening full of surprises”; “A ceremony full of emotion”: following the 18^th edition of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, comments in the press and on social networks were unanimous in highlighting the fresh breeze that had blown through the Théâtre du Léman on November 9^th and the 1,300 guests assembled for the prize-giving ceremony. There was of course the prize list, which particularly honoured independents – who walked off with 10 out of 17 prizes – including Bovet 1822, which won the “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix. There was also a Jean-Claude Biver moved to tears, laureate of the Special Jury Prize for his entire career; as well as the immensely touching 97-year-old Georges Dubois, the oldest living former student of the Geneva Watchmaking School. Finally, there were the hilarious and outspoken masters of ceremony, French actor Edouard Baer and singer-impersonator Véronic DiCaire from Quebec, who contributed to the perfectly relaxed atmosphere. This successful event heralded the new era of Raymond Loretan, the President of the GPHG Foundation who was appointed last January to succeed Carlo Lamprecht, who had been serving in this role since 2011. In his inaugural speech, Loretan spoke in favour of broader watch brand representation.

A call to close ranks
No less than 106 brands entered 195 watches for this 2018 GPHG. As required by the rules, the jury, chaired by Aurel Bacs, finally selected 72 models, divided into 12 categories. The latter included two new awards introduced this year: the Audacity Prize saluting creative freedom; and the Challenge Prize reserved for models with a public price of under 4,000 Swiss francs. The Public Prize, on the other hand, has disappeared. And the final winners’ podium proved quite stimulating: ten independent brands are among the winners, including some very small ones, such as Akrivia (Men’s Watch Award), Singer Reimagined (Chronograph Watch Award) and Krayon (Innovation Award). The “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix rewarded Bovet 1822’s efforts for the incredible Recital 22 Grand Récital, a 9-day flying tourbillon, Tellurium-Orrery and Retrograde Perpetual Calendar. “Bovet produces 2,000 pieces a year, and that’s more than enough”, its owner Pascal Raffy, for whom this is the first Swiss award.

While this GPHG notably featured small-scale creative firms, it also gave a warm welcome to non-Swiss brands. Nomos Glashütte (Challenge Prize, Germany), Habring2 (“Petite Aiguille” Prize, Austria) and Seiko (Sports Watch Prize, Japan) were honoured by the jury, composed of 27 members representing 13 nationalities. Foreign Maisons have long since been regularly nominated and won prizes at the GPHG, but their number on the podium has rarely been equalled. A result that will increase the credibility of the event in the countries in question and throughout the world. In his welcome address, the new President of the GPHG Foundation, Raymond Loretan, called on the watch industry to close ranks around the Grand Prix: “We must work to increase its international influence,” he said. “We must not refrain from questioning the watch selection model in order to consider a broader representativeness. If all the actors unite even more strongly, each in their own place, then we will do even better.” Definitely a veiled appeal to Patek Philippe and Rolex, who were absent from the competition.

A sprightly nonagenarian
This invitation was perhaps the only solemn moment of the evening. Called upon to award the Prize for the Best Young Student at the Geneva Watchmaking School, Georges Dubois set the room on fire. At 97 years of age, the sprightly watchmaker with his crystal-clear voice did not hesitate to exchange banter with Edouard Baer, causing a unanimous burst of laughter. On a more serious note, he turned to the winner, Christopher Lanz and said: “I congratulate you, it’s not that easy! You will have a lot of fun in exercising this profession.” The audience subsequently gave a standing ovation to Jean-Claude Biver. In his laudatio, Aurel Bacs, who was in charge of awarding Biver the Special Jury Prize for his lifetime achievements, decided to list 70 different words, all linked by the ways in which they evoked the career of this watchmaking ‘dinosaur’. The room was on its feet before the jury president had completed his inventory, followed by Biver’s response to the award. “In 44 years of activity, this is the most beautiful emotion I have ever experienced,” he confessed. “It might seem as if I’m retiring... But I’m going to keep going! You don’t retire from a passion.”

November 22, 2018