News For the second time in succession, the most prestigious prize at the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix has gone to Patek Philippe. Story of a repeat triumph.
The third Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix was held on 20 November this year at the Grand Theatre, where the masters of ceremony were Maria Mettral and Charles Poncet. On this occasion, more than 1,500 hand-picked guests saw Patek Philippe triumph for the second year running and receive the Aiguille d'Or, the most coveted of the ten prizes given out in the course of the evening, for its 10 Day Tourbillon watch (see photo). The head of the firm based in Plan-les-Ouates, Philippe Stern, received the prize from racing driver Jean Alesi.
The Grand Jury prize meanwhile went to the Master Antoine LeCoultre, a platinum timepiece designed by Jaeger-LeCoultre to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of its founder (see photo). A distinction that went down particularly well with Jérôme Lambert, Director of the firm from Le Sentier, who, on the same day, became the proud father of a daughter!
The remaining eight prizes were awarded as follows:
- Prize for ladies watch: Tank S from Cartier;
- Prize for men's watch: Octa Lune from F.P. Journe;
- Prize for watch design: Crazy Hours Homme from Franck Muller;
- Prize for extra-flat watch: Altiplano XL from Piaget;
- Prize for technical innovation and complication: Opus 3 from Harry Winston (in our photo, Maximilian Büsser, General Manager of the firm from Geneva, being handed his prize by a charming hostess);
- Prize for sports watch: Royal Oak Offshore Alinghi 2003 Commemorative Edition from Audemars Piguet;
- Public prize: the Réveil du Tsar from Breguet;
- Middle East public prize: Happy Spirit from Chopard.
January 12, 2004
