As we approach the Christmas period, watchmakers from all over the world are enticing customers with their latest and greatest products. But outside of the Christmas rush taking place across the world, there are still big awards ceremonies and exhibitions taking place. One of the biggest of these ceremonies – the 18th Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) – has just taken place. This ceremony is known as the Oscars of the watchmaking industry due to its glamour and prestige.
There were 17 prizes being fought with 72 different watches fighting it out to be the best on show. The top prize at the show is the “Aiguille d’Or” – or the best watch of the year. The best watch of 2018 is an absolutely incredible feat of watchmaking which fully deserved the prize. Let’s take a look at some of the incredible award winning watches at the GPHG.
This Years’ Award Winning Watches
The world’s top watch manufacturers descended on the Théâtre du Léman this month with the hope of collecting the top prize. With 17 awards up for grabs, each manufacturer knew they were in with a shot of being named one of the award winning watches. The awards recognised the work from manufacturers in crafting the best men’s watches and women’s watches as well as the most innovative watchmakers.
Krayon won the Innovation Prize for their Everywhere Horizon watch. This watch was recognised for achieving something truly extraordinary by producing a universal mechanical calculator which gives the exact sunrise and sunset times. Krayon has filed three patents on the technology inside this fantastic watch in order to protect their unbelievable inventions. The Everywhere Horizon watch deserves to be rewarded for their work in producing an unbelievable piece.
Vacheron Constantin won the Revival Prize for the Historiques Triple Calendrier 1942. This watch combines vintage style with modern watchmaking elements inspired by their own iconic 1940’s timepieces. The original timepieces are immensely popular with watch collectors and it is likely that these modern reinterpretations will be just as popular with Vacheron Constantin collectors. It is no surprise that this collection was picked to win the prestigious Revival Prize at the GPHG.
Seiko took home the Sports Watch Prize for the Seiko Prospex 1968 Diver Recreation. This watch is a revival of Japan’s first hi-beat diver’s watch which became available to customers way back in 1968. Seiko built on the popularity of this watch by becoming one of the pioneers in the diver’s watch market. Many of the innovations first introduced by Seiko have become the norm in diver’s watches released today. The new Prospex 1968 Diver Recreation is created for saturation diving and follows many of the same design elements as the original. Only been 1,500 of this limited edition watch have been made available so you’ll need to be quick if you want to add one to your collection!
The special jury prize was awarded to Jean-Claude Biver, who enjoyed a successful 45 year career in the watch industry. During his career he worked with many of the most popular watch manufacturers in the industry, such as Audemars Piguet, Omega, Zenith and TAG Heuer. He is also credited as the man who saved the Swiss watch industry from the quartz movement. One strange fact about Biver is that he makes cheese in his spare time – but he refuses to sell it. He gives the cheese free of charge to friends, family and restaurants of his choosing. Biver states that by refusing payment he remains in complete control of it’s distribution – explaining: “I will be the master of my cheese until the last piece.”
The “Aiguille d’Or”
The Bovet Récital 22 Grand Récital picked up the award for the very best watch in the show this year. Bovet has never won this award before, but it is hard to imagine a more deserving winner of the 2018 award than the 200-year-old luxury Swiss watchmaker. The Récital 22 Grand Récital has is one of the most complicated award winning watches at this years GPHG exhibition.
The design of the watch is something to behold, it is a truly beautiful watch which uses its complications to showcase the earth, sun and moon. The amazing flying tourbillon complication represents the sun and the hemispherical earth displays the hours on a 24 hour cycle. It’s impossible not to be impressed by this watch – and it is no surprise that it was awarded the most prestigious prize of the competition.
If you’ve just won the lottery this week then you might be able to get hold of one for 468’500 CHF (around £360,000). But you’ll have to be quick, Bovet have only made 60 of these award winning watches!
Images: GPHG
