Created in 2001, the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) is a Foundation recognized as a public interest organization since 2011. The foundation is overseen by the Canton and City of Geneva, both represented by the Foundation Board chaired since 2018 by Raymond Loretan.
Often referred to as the watch industry “Oscars,” the GPHG is a not-to-be-missed event in the watchmaking calendar and one of the sector’s most famous media showcases.
An instrument for promoting watchmaking as a whole
The GPHG stages an annual competition involving several hundreds of watches marketed during the year and attributing the highest awards in this domain. In doing so, it contributes to enhancing the traditions, skills and values of Swiss – and indeed universal – watchmaking culture.
The GPHG awards ceremony held in November of each year draws elite representatives of the international watchmaking profession, united in honoring the finest creations and stakeholders who daily breathe vitality and creativity into the watchmaking world. Twenty or so prizes, including the “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix (Best in Show) distinction are awarded on this occasion.
The GPHG Academy, an international network of watchmaking professionals
Created in 2020, the Academy invites experienced men and women who believe in the art and agency of watchmaking to take part in the various stages of watch selection. It is composed of several hundred members, all experienced and significant stakeholders in the key watchmaking-related sectors, divided into colleges and forming a vast network of ambassadors worldwide.
Members of the Academy have the fundamental mission of proposing the eligible watch models – in parallel with the traditional brand entries – and taking part in the various votes to determine the winners.
A jury of 30 members drawn from the Academy is constituted each year. This jury meets behind closed doors, in the presence of two notaries, a few days before the awards ceremony, in order to physically evaluate each of the nominated timepieces and to proceed to the second and final ballot, alongside the other members of the Academy.
Global reach through travelling exhibitions
Each autumn, the 90 timepieces nominated by the GPHG Academy – and subsequently the 20 award-winning watches – are presented during a series of exhibitions organized in Switzerland and around the world.
Offering the public an unparalleled panorama of the creativity and vitality of contemporary watchmaking, these exhibitions allow a cosmopolitan and diverse audience to discover and admire the most interesting watches crafted during the year, exceptionally brought together for these exhibitions, as well as to share moments of watchmaking culture, accompanied by experts.
Since 2011, this traveling exhibition has notably made stopovers in: Bangkok, Beijing, Bern, Casablanca, Dubai, Geneva, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Macao, Mexico City, Milan, New Delhi, New York, Puebla, Rome, Saint Petersburg, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei, Venice and Zurich. In addition, the award-winning watches have been showcased after the awards ceremony at exhibitions held in Bucharest, Dubai, London, Moscow, New York, Paris, Singapore, Vienna and Zurich.
For its 25th edition, the GPHG will travel to Shanghai and then Istanbul, providing an opportunity to celebrate the anniversaries of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and these two host countries. In Geneva, the Musée d’Art et Histoire will also present the nominated timepieces, while Dubai Watch Week will host the winners after the 25th awards ceremony – which will take place on 13 November at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices in Geneva and can also be followed live on gphg.org.
The Geneva exhibition at the Musée d’Art et Histoire
From 30 October to 16 November in the historical rooms of Geneva’s Musée d’Art et d’Histoire (MAH), visitors will not only be able to admire the 90 timepieces in competition, but also enjoy a rich cultural outreach program: guided tours, introductory workshops on watchmaking, talks and watchmaking discovery afternoons for youngsters aged 6 to 16. This is all entirely free of charge and the accessible program aims to raise awareness of the art and culture of watchmaking among a broad audience.
Check out the programme and register: bit.ly/4h6jhfg