Awards ceremony at GPHG 2019

The 19^th edition of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) was held as usual at the Théâtre du Léman on November 7^th. Presented by French actor and loyal host Edouard Baer, the prize-giving ceremony representing the culmination of the annual event drew a packed audience featuring all the key stakeholders in the international watch industry.

This year, new awards were added to the 2019 list. The Iconic Watch Prize was awarded to the best watch from an emblematic collection that has left an indelible on watch history and the watchmaking market for more than 25 years. The Diver’s Watch Prize distinguished a watch related to this underwater world. The 2019 list also includes the Calendar and Astronomy Prize and the “Horological Revelation” Prize, which enabled the jury to reward a creation from a young brand.

Looking to the future
Raymond Lorétan, President of the GPHG Foundation, began the proceedings by recalling the mission of the event: to promote the art of watchmaking and its values throughout the world in a unifying spirit, guided by the principles of neutrality, independence and universality.

He also expressed particular pride in announcing the creation of a GPHG International Academy, which will mark the event’s anniversary next year, emphasising that: “This academy of the profession will enable all the stakeholders in the sector who believe in the worldwide watchmaking community to take part in the various stages of watch selection. This vast network of ambassadors comprising several hundred people will provide better representation of all industry players. It will broaden the influence of the Grand Prix, as well as of the entire watch industry around the world.” This new academy will be operational by next spring, just as the watch selection process begins.

Prize-winning watches
Edouard Baer introduced the traditional prize-giving ceremony by playing with the French word montre (watch) and the verb montrer (to show), “Watches for every movement of life, watches to show, watches to show off, watches to hide…”, moving from one category to another while expressing his admiration.

If there is one thing all the winners definitely have in common, it is their gratitude towards the people who exercise their trade in the manufacturing facilities, as well as those who contribute to the development of the mechanical passion shared by all. While some expressed this recognition sincerely in a short speech, others actually requested that the lights be switched on in the hall in order to honour the people who played a key role in the production of the winning models.

Fourteen categories, 18 winning watches, 20 exciting stories. There is of course the Maison that scooped up three trophies, including the “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix, the supreme distinction, and the Iconic Watch Prize. Another of its creations featuring exceptional technical prowess received the Men’s Complication Watch Prize, a crowning tribute to the brand-new collection launched at the beginning of the year to which it belongs.

Those who have pushed the limits of the ultra-thin have seen their efforts rewarded by winning the Chronograph Watch Prize. This same Maison also unveiled another creation which won the Jewellery Watch Prize for a model that is the expensive of its kind ever produced by the firm and clearly impressed the jury.

There was also a brand that responded to the wishes of two customers: one wishing to view the movement through the front (resulting in the model that won the Men’s Watch Prize); and another who strongly insisted that the brand create a timepiece combining cloisonné enamel and an ancestral Japanese technique (Artistic Crafts Watch Prize). After months of negotiations, one of the two artists agreed to co-create this model, which features two radically different techniques that combine to adorn the dial with a majestic scene. A true encounter between East and West.

When it was first founded in 2005, this watch Maison had ruled out the idea of creating a ladies’ watch. And yet… Its CEO enjoyed reminding people of his statement at the time: “I don’t know how to make women’s watches”. Ironically, its first purely female model, unveiled this year, won the Ladies’ Complication Prize watch.

Certain watchmakers less accustomed to being in the spotlight also had a chance to shine during the ceremony. Witness this artisan of time – whose independent brand aims to be wildly creative – that won the Mechanical Exception category. Its timepiece challenges fundamental principles, surprises, fascinates and introduces a new display. But all this, its founder reminded us, has been made possible by long hours spent at the workbench with the greatest names in the industry.

And then there were brands that inspire dreams, such as the one that has set itself the mission of creating technical complications offering fanciful moments, which loves to dream and above all make other people dream. Its creation, which won the Calendar and Astronomy Watch Prize, is a perfect example of this. Never has the moon phase been so poetic and captivating.

Meanwhile, another Manufacture whose timepiece won the “Petite Aiguille” Prize certainly did not appear destined to receive such a distinction. About 15 years ago, its founder was a student with no money and no watchmaking background... Stepping out of his comfort zone gave him the idea of creating timepieces, a daring bet that has now paid off.

The “Horological Revelation” Prize honoured a young company that one day dared to ask itself: “Why not? Why not create a watch that we would like to wear? Why can’t we do things a little differently? Why don’t we have the courage to say we’ll take the risk?”. The acceptance speech shared these initial questions that led to the award-winning result.

A special prize not only honoured watchmakers for their creativity and ability to push the limits, but above all for their passion to pass on expertise, heritage and a taste for effort in order to extend and perpetuate traditions. It was with these words that Henri Cartier was awarded the Prize for the best young student of the Geneva Watchmaking School.

Special Jury Prize
This was a particularly moving moment. The audience gave a standing ovation to a man “who does not wear a watch, who never puts himself forward but always keeps the project in the limelight. A man who has managed to unite a wide range of watch brands (an idea that originally seemed to entirely unrealistic), a fabulous facilitator... His work belongs to no person and no brand but to humankind. In seven editions of the most beautiful charity auction, he has raised 40 million francs, entirely donated to medical research...”. These words spoken by Jury President Aurel Bacs referred to none other than Luc Pettavino, founder and president of Only Watch. “Keep the lights on... This is relevant because Only Watch is us. You reward our ability to be resilient, to fall, to rise again. The ability to move forward together, the ability to join in accomplishing something very beautiful, because there is a resonance in each of us... To be alive, be bold, enjoy every moment and achieve beautiful things together. Talent is the desire to create beauty in order to good!”, he exclaimed.

2019 Prize list

“Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix
Audemars Piguet, Royal Oak Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin
Ladies’ Watch Prize
Chanel, J12 Calibre 12.1
Ladies’ Complication Watch Prize
MB&F, Legacy Machine FlyingT
Men’s Watch Prize
Voutilainen, 28ti
Men’s Complication Watch Prize
Audemars Piguet, Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Minute Repeater Supersonnerie
Iconic Watch Prize
Audemars Piguet, Royal Oak «Jumbo» Extra-thin
Chronometry Watch Prize
Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud, Carburised steel regulator
Calendar and Astronomy Watch Prize
Hermès, Arceau L’heure de la lune
Mechanical Exception Watch Prize
Genus, GNS1.2
Chronograph Watch Prize
Bvlgari, Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Automatic
Diver’s Watch Prize
Seiko, Prospex LX line diver’s
Jewellery Watch Prize
Bvlgari, Serpenti Misteriosi Romani
Artistic Crafts Watch Prize
Voutilainen, Starry Night Vine
“Petite Aiguille” Prize
Kudoke, Kudoke 2
Challenge Watch Prize
Tudor, Black Bay P01
Innovation Prize
Vacheron Constantin, Traditionnelle Twin Beat perpetual calendar
Audacity Prize
Urwerk, AMC
“Horological Revelation” Prize
Ming, 17.06 Copper
Best Young Student Prize
Henri Cartier, Geneva Watchmaking School
Special Jury Prize
Luc Pettavino

November 21, 2019