GPHG 2014: The Aiguille d'Or Goes to Breguet Classique Chronométrie
Excellence, innovation and watchmaking expertise were duly rewarded on this Friday October 31st in the Grand Théâtre de Genève, on the occasion of the 14th Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) prize-giving ceremony. The international jury of this edition 2014 of the GPHG handed out 16 prizes, including the supreme “Aiguille d’Or”, distinction, awarded to Breguet for the Classic Chronométrie model. This prize was officially presented on-stage by the Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann, who praised the vitality of the Swiss watch industry.
Jointly hosted by Melanie Winiger and Frédéric Beigbeder, the ceremony was attended by around 1,500 guests including influential figures from the world of watchmaking, finance and politics, who congregated in Geneva for this annual celebration of the 12th art. This 14th edition of the GPHG registered a record participation with representation from all the major watchmaking groups as well as a number of independent companies.
“AIGUILLE D’OR” GRAND PRIX
Breguet Classique Chronométrie
LADIES’ WATCH PRIZE
Blancpain Heure Décentrée
LADIES’ HIGH MECH PRIZE
Christophe Claret Margo
MEN’S WATCH PRIZE
Urban Juergensen Central Second
CHRONOGRAPH WATCH PRIZE
De Bethune DB29 Maxichrono Tourbillon
TOURBILLON WATCH PRIZE
Grönefeld Parallax Tourbillon
CALENDAR WATCH PRIZE
A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Perpetual Calendar
STRIKING WATCH PRIZE
Hublot Classic Fusion Cathedral Tourbillon Minute Repeater
MECHANICAL EXCEPTION WATCH PRIZE
Urwerk EMC
“PETITE AIGUILLE” PRIZE
Seiko Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 GMT
SPORT WATCH PRIZE
Zenith El Primero Lightweight
JEWELLERY WATCH PRIZE
Bvlgari Diva
ARTISTIC CRAFT WATCH
28 Hisui
HOROLOGICAL REVIVAL PRIZE
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch
SPECIAL JURY PRIZE
Walter Lange
The public, after votes cast on internet and at the international exhibitions, selected its own favourite which won the Public Prize: Breguet, Classique Dame
Simultaneously translated into English for fans worldwide, the ceremony was broadcast live on Euronews.com, Worldtempus.com, Hodinkee.com and on the official GPHG website, Gphg.org. Local TV channel Leman bleu also covered the event.
After New Delhi and Beijing, the exhibition of the watches pre-selected by the jury is still on show at the Cité du Temps in Geneva until November 2nd. In the final stage of this roadshow, the prize-winning watches in this 2014 edition will be presented in London at the SalonQP from November 6th to 8th.
Created in 2001 and intended as an annual salute to the excellence of worldwide watchmaking creations, the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève fosters the reputation and influence of this art and its values around the globe. Values that are shared by the main partner of the Foundation of the GPHG, the Edmond de Rothschild group, which since 2011 has regularly rewarded the best young student at the Geneva Watchmaking School by awarding a scholarship.
Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève: an analysis
By Joel Grandjean
, Editor-in-Chief
Two double whammies, Urwerk and Breguet, onstage some favorite independents from the sector, the Grönfeld brothers, a touch of diplomacy with Japan, and a...