The GHPG, Oscar of the watch industry
The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GHPG) is a prize awarded by the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry “FH” in Geneva. This year, the award ceremony of the GHPG 2018 9 November 2018 will take place at the Théâtre du Léman in Geneva.
Innovation, craftsmanship or high-quality materials are prerequisites for watchmaking art of the highest order. This is reflected in the various categories of the award ceremony. From the men’s watch category to “mechanically exceptional” or craftsmanship, there are 12 categories of the GHPG. The most important is the golden hand. The prize is also called the “Oscar of the watch industry”. Whoever wins here is among the most exquisite watchmakers or watch manufacturers in the world.
Kari Voutilainen is very often among the prize winners, my favourite in terms of aesthetics.
Celebrating the expertise and value of the watch industry
The GPHG was founded in 2001 with the aim of promoting Swiss watchmaking worldwide and celebrating the expertise and values of the watch industry. It is probably the most prestigious prize for the watch industry, as approximately 90% of Swiss watch manufacturers are represented in the association. The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève is awarded annually in recognition of the art of watchmaking. An international jury of 20 connoisseurs of the industry determines the winners.
The kick-off: The “Roadshow”
More informLKurz KurzMore informLShortly Before the annual awards ceremony each November at the Grand Théâtre de Genève, events are held at international venues. This year 2018, the 72 watches that made it to the GPHG’s shortlist were shown in Singapore. In the past, Zurich, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Geneva, Beijing, Macau, Dubai and New Delhi have been among the venues.
The twelve winning watches as well as the winner of the “Aiguille d’Or”, i.e. the golden hand, the revival prize and the public prize will be presented in an exhibition after the award ceremony, which will be held in Geneva this year. http://www.gphg.org/
The “Challenge” category or the little man’s prize
The prize in the “Challenge” category is for a category that is a challenge in terms of price, as it includes watches with a retail price of less than CHF 4,000. Smartwatches are also eligible in this category.
The TimeTotems blog is dedicated to precisely this topic. Watch enthusiasm knows no boundaries, but the budget does. That’s why I write in this blog, in search of a collection for the little guy. Because whether vintage or new watch, there are pieces that deserve our attention and are affordable. Even if you only buy a watch once in a lifetime. There is nothing better than the right one in life with the difference that you should be able to inherit a watch later.
So among the potential winners of the Geneva prize are a Seiko with a great dial and high-quality movement, a Nomos and Tudor, as an alternative to Rolex. We are still in the price range of 1,600 euros (Seiko) to about 4,000 CHF, because that is the upper limit of this category. There are no upper limits. The 300,000 mark is often exceeded.
