GPHG 2018: And The Winner Is…

The jury of the 18th Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) has delivered its verdict: on November 9th the GPHG prize-giving was held in Geneva’s Théâtre du Léman, unveiling the winners of the 2018 edition. French actor and producer Edouard Baer served as master of ceremonies for this event that honored the year’s finest watch creations with 16 prizes divided into 12 categories including the prestigious Aiguille d’Or that went to Bovet for the Récital 22 Grand Récital.

This 18th edition of the GPHG has attracted record participation with representatives from all the major watch groups, as well as a number of independent Maisons. Creations from both large and small brands are thus vying with each other, in an industry that consistently pushes technical and artistic boundaries, while displaying strong vitality.

Here is a list of all the winners of this year’s edition, divided by category.

LADIES

Women’s watches comprising the following indications only: hours, minutes, seconds, date, power reserve, classic moon phase; may be adorned with a maximum of 8-carats’ worth of gemstones.

• Chanel Boy-Friend Skeleton

LADIES’ COMPLICATION

Ladies’ watches that are remarkable in terms of their mechanical creativity and complexity, featuring all kinds of horological complications and classic and/or innovative indications (e.g. annual calendar, perpetual calendar, equation of time, moon phase, digital or retrograde time display, world time, dual time or other types of models) and do not fit the definition of the Ladies’ and Mechanical Exception categories.

• Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Planétarium

 

MEN’S

Men’s watches comprising the following indications only: hours, minutes, seconds, date, power reserve, classic moon phase; may be adorned with 5-carats’ worth of gemstones.

• Akrivia Chronomètre Contemporain

MEN’S COMPLICATION

Men’s watches that are remarkable in terms of their mechanical creativity and complexity, featuring all kinds of horological complications and classic and/or innovative indications (e.g. annual calendar, perpetual calendar, equation of time, moon phase, digital or retrograde time display, world time, dual time or other types of models) and do not fit the definition of the Men’s and Mechanical Exception categories.

• Laurent Ferrier Galet Annual Calendar School Piece

CHRONOGRAPH

Mechanical watches comprising at least one chronograph indication. Additional indications and/or complications are admissible.

• Singer Reimagined Singer Track1 Hong Kong Edition 

CHRONOMETRY

Mechanical watches comprising at least one tourbillon and/or a special escapement and/or another development improving chronometry (precision timekeeping). Additional indications and/or complications are admissible.

• De Bethune DB25 Starry Varius Tourbillon

MECHANICAL EXCEPTION

Men’s and/or ladies’ watches featuring a special mechanism, such as an innovative or sophisticated display, an automaton, a striking or any other acoustic function, a belt-driven movement or any other original and/or exceptional horological concept.

• Greubel Forsey Grande Sonnerie

 

SPORTS

Watches linked to the field of sports, whose functions, materials and design are suited to physical activities. Smartwatches are admissible in this category.

• Seiko Prospex 1968 Diver’s Re-creation

JEWELLERY

Watches demonstrating exceptional mastery of the art of jewellery and gemsetting, and also distinguished by the choice of stones.

• Van Cleef & Arpels Secret de Coccinelle

ARTISTIC CRAFTS

Watches demonstrating exceptional mastery of one or several artistic techniques such as enamelling, lacquering, engraving, guilloché (engine-turning), skeleton-working, etc.

• Hermès Arceau Robe du Soir

PETITE AIGUILLE

Watches with a retail price between CHF 4,000 and CHF 10,000. Smartwatches are admissible in this category.

• Habring² Doppel-Felix

CHALLENGE

A new category this year. Watches with a retail price under CHF 4,000. Smartwatches are admissible in this category.

• Nomos Glashütte Tangente Neomatik 41 Update

REVIVAL PRIZE

• Vacheron Constantin Historiques Triple calendrier 1942

Finally, three prizes recognized the timepieces and the personality who distinguished themselves for the audacity in creativity, technical innocation and for a stellar career full of success within the watchmaking business:

AUDACITY PRIZE:

• Konstantin Chaykin Clown

INNOVATION PRIZE:

• Krayon Everywhere Horizon

SPECIAL JURY PRIZE:

• Jean-Claude Biver

By Valeria Garavaglia