Gaïa Prize 2026: Winners Announced and Horizon Gaïa Grant Awarded
The 2026 Gaïa Prize jury has delivered its verdict. Three new winners complete the impressive list of recipients of this prize often described as the Nobel Prize of the watchmaking world.
By Sébastien Aeberli
Design, Content & Social Media
Since 1993, this award has been presented in recognition of extraordinary careers in the field of watchmaking, as well as its art and culture. The public ceremony will take place at 6 pm on Thursday 17 September 2026 at the Musée international d'horlogerie (MIH) in La Chaux-de-Fonds. On this occasion, the MIH will once again award the Horizon Gaïa Fellowship, intended for the next generation of researchers.
The unique Prix Gaïa honours the very best: those contributing to the reputation of watchmaking, its history, its technology or its industry. An institution of global renown, the Musée international d'horlogerie in La Chaux-de-Fonds – a city whose economic and social history is closely linked to watchmaking – awards this prize in recognition of the spiritual heirs of watchmaking culture embodied in the museum's collections, and in the city itself.
This year, the Prix Gaïa jury, comprising figures active in the watchmaking field, nominated:
Edmond Capt - winner in the Craftsmanship - Creation category
The jury of the Gaïa Prize honours Edmond Capt for his ceaselessly renewed creative energy, his ability to respond effectively to the various technical challenges of mechanical watchmak- ing, and the significant industrial impact of his numerous calibres.
Gaetano Mileti - winner in the History - Research category
The Gaïa Prize jury honours Gaetano Mileti for his fundamental research in the field of time- frequency metrology, his international influence and his ability to ensure that his laboratory’s activities are in keeping with the watchmaking tradition of striving for accuracy.
Jean-François Mojon - winner in the Entrepreneurship category
The Gaïa Prize jury honours Jean-François Mo- jon for the exemplary track record of his com- pany, Chronode, which is dedicated to the re- search, development and manufacture of movements, and which has created iconic time- pieces for numerous watch brands.
Horizon Gaïa grant
Alongside the three categories used to honour leading figures in the watchmaking world, Horizon Gaïa, an incentive grant made possible thanks to the generosity of the Watch Academy Foundation, is being awarded to encourage new talent in the fields recognised by the Prix Gaïa: Craftsmanship - Creation, History - Research, and Entrepreneurship. The grant will finance all or part of an individual project.
Two scholarship holders working together on a joint project are being recognised: Aurélie Sené and Clément Thomas. Through their “Lycosa” project, they aim to develop a robust watch designed for mountain sports, whilst taking a contemporary approach to watchmaking: sustainable materials, functional design, ergonomics, technical consistency and a local network of partners committed to sustainability and social inclusion.