patrick_y
[PuristSPro Moderator]
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WatchProSite GPHG 2021 Event Coverage
Moderator Patrick_y is in Geneva to cover the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve, the Oscars of the Watchmaking Profession. This was an unprecedented year; the first time a Chinese watchmaker was awarded a prize, the first year resumption of the award event since the COVID pandemic, and there were multiple exciting twists and turns. Here are his thoughts and commentary...
Ladies and Gentlemen of WatchProSite readers, I welcome you to Geneva! Where we walk the red carpets, attending the glamorous Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve, sometimes colloquially known as the Oscars of Watchmaking. What an event! I have to admit, this is my first time covering the event for WatchProSite, so I was a bit overwhelmed by the passion in attendance tonight. Everyone you can think of was in attendance, and I was seated between two magnanimous creators and contributors to the Swiss watchmaking world.
As night befalls Geneva, the red carpet gala at the GPHG is just starting. The Swiss Guard are present to provide security as distinguished guests and horological giants attend this momentous event!
Great seats! I'm seated right in the first row, front and center! Row AA, Position Centre. Who could ask for better seats? Moroever, to my left and right are two incredible gentlemen who have both contributed a tremendous amount to horological society! I couldn't ask for better company! As always, I put myself in harms way, the big black speaker was right in front of me, hopefully it doesn't make me a little deaf by the end of the evening!
It's important to understand, the GPHG consists of an Academy body, to be a member of this body, you must be a "stakeholder" in the world of horology. The prizes are determined by the nominations of the Academy and voting by the 30 person jury.
We start the Awards Ceremony off with the "Challenge Prize" which basically considers six nominated watches, Mr. Halim Trujillo of Watch Collecting Lifestyle is up there presenting the award... and the winner was a major surprise!
The Challenge Prize went to CIGA Designs for their impressive Planet Blue Timepiece. The award receiver gave a touching acceptance speech primarily in English and Chinese (with a small amount of French) thanking the Foundation and the Academy for honoring her with this award and thanking the Academy for even considering a Chinese timepiece to be nominated. This award is extremely significant because this is the first time a Chinese watch firm has won a GPHG Prize! It might also be the first time a Chinese firm was even nominated. It also shows the GPHG Academy and Jury are able to be open minded enough to consider a Chinese watch brand. Considering a significant portion of watch parts in Swiss Made timepieces come from China (screws especially), we have to realize there's a little bit of "Made in China" with most "Swiss Made" timepieces.
The Next Prize was the "Petite Aiguille" prize. The Tudor Ceramic Black Bay won this prize and the prize was happily accepted by Monsieur Eric Pirson.
Next prize was the Diver's Watch Prize... Six watches were nominated and only one was chosen...
The Diver's Watch prize was unexpectedly won by Louis Vuitton. Jean Arnault, the son of LVMH magnate Bernard Arnault, Director of Product and Marketing within LVMH Watchmaking divisions, accepted the prize with incredible graciousness and good humor that would belie the fact that he's only in his early 20s!
But wait! It's not over! The Academy and Jury of this year's GPHG would continue to honor Louis Vuitton a second time this year for their audacity with their "Audacy Prize." The young and gracious Jean Arnault would be only one of three receivers this year who received more than one prize this year!
The other dual prize receiver was non other than WatchProSite's most popular independent brand...
None other than... Max Busser of MB&F, the brand that seems to be ultra popular among members on WatchProSite. He was a winner for the "Metiers d'Art Prize" and the "Men's Complication Prize." Another Legacy Machine was nominated for the "Men's Prize" but that honor was won by the next recipient...
Busser gave an animated speech almost entirely in French thanking his team, his "Friends" within the watch industry for their support, and his appreciation to the collectors who understand his youthful and unbridled creationism. I have to admit, some of the terms may have been lost on me, since my French is quite rusty, but two incredible awards for one tiny but incredible independent brand. Way to go MB&F! Big congrats to you Max!
Max Busser comes up a second time, understandably pleased and surprised, to collect his second award!
The Top Men's Watch Category was presented by Rexhapi who was dressed as a Swiss Mountain Man. All the women in the audience nearly wolf whistled.
Rexhapi was dressed as a Swiss Mountain Man with an overshirt and boots when he presented the Men's Watch Award.
The prize went to Grand Seiko for their Caliber 9SA5 Hi-Beat 36000 and 80 Heures Power Reserve timepiece. A Seiko executive had pre-recorded an acceptance speech. But this was pre-recorded without having been certain that he had won, so it lacked some of the excitement and surprise - or perhaps that was the Japanese humility talking. A surprise but well deserved! And a great honor for Japanese watchmaking.
The Chronograph Prize went to...
The Chronograph Prize deservedly went to Zenith for their Chonomaster Sport. It won not only because of Zenith's chronograph heritage, but also because of Zenith's work in producing high-beat high-accuracy chronographs. Congrats to Zenith.
Wei Koh, Editor in Chief of The Rake and Revolution Magazine presented the Tourbillon category, which was won by DeBethune. Wei Koh, the avid analyst and researcher (and an early recognizer of great timepieces before anyone else recognizes them - the Bulgari Octo Finissimo - was championed by Mr. Koh before it had gotten onto anyone's radar) pointed out that Tourbillons are generally the most likely category to be the Grand Prize winner. Since 2001 when the award first started, the Tourbillon has won in 2003 (Patek Philippe), 2004 (FP Journe), 2005 (Vacheron Constantin), 2007 (Richard Mille), 2010 (Greubel Forsey), and 2015 (Greubel Forsey)! Congrats to DeBethune and great job Wei Koh!
This presenter came from Greater China, where he told us he would be suffering a 21 day quarantine when he returned to Greater China. But he could not be happier to present the award for the Calendar and Astronomy Prize. Which was won by Christiaan Van Der Klaauw! The husband and wife team gave a touching speech as they kissed, hugged, and showed a lot of personal displays of affection for each other on the stage. Big congrats to Christiaan Van Der Klaauw! And what a lovely duo!
Here come the awards for Ladies' Watches...
Karl Freidrich Scheufele accepted the award for Chopard on behalf of his sister Caroline in a very measured speech.
Chopard made this amazing "Flower Power" high jewelry watch. It is gorgeous! And the winner of this year's "Jewelry Prize."
The Piaget Limelight Gala Precious Rainbow won the "Ladie's Prize" beating out the Bovet 1822 which was also nominated (and the one I expected to win). Piaget would be the final and third brand this year to win more than once, winning again for their Altiplano watch in the "Mechanical Exception" category.
The "Ladie's Complication" prize was won by Van Cleef and Arpels for their exquisite Montre Lady Fairy timepiece.
The Bernhard Lederer won the Innovation Prize. Their Central Impulse Chronometer has an amazing looking movement! I can't wait to see this watch in person!
This young and promising watchmaker is one to keep your eyes on for the future!
The Seddiqi family was honored for their contribution to watchmaking, specifically due to their ”Dubai Watch Week" exhibition. The beautiful and glamorous Hind Seddiqi, Director General of Dubai Watch Week, accepted the award on behalf of the Dubai Watch Week.
The Grand Prize went to the Bulgari Octo Finissimo! Well deserved! Ultra thin really is a complicated affair! I happened to be wearing my Octo Finissimo (it's my travel watch since it's not shiny and it is totally under-the-radar)! What a coincidence!
Jean Christophe Babin, CEO of Bulgari accepted the award! The crowd erupted in applause. Fireworks placed at the edge of the stage doused the first row in soot and ash (joke: maybe that's why they stuck me in the first row, it wasn't a privilege after all - joke), I was covered in a rain of hard metallic soot. I covered my watch to protect it. Apologies, I couldn’t focus on his speech due to all the fireworks noise! The biggest part mentioned was the facilities that Bulgari had in Switzerland, the team in Switzerland, and how they're both truly a Swiss Watch Brand and also an Italian Jewelry Brand at the same time. I don't really care what they call themselves as long as Bulgari continues to make awesome timepieces and maintains great stewardship of Gerald Genta and Daniel Roth!
All the winners, lined up! Hey Max! You look heavily burdened need a hand there? I'm happy to help you out!
Thank you for reading! I look forward to your comments!
Congratulations to all the winners!
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WatchProSite GPHG 2021 Event Coverage
Moderator Patrick_y is in Geneva to cover the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve, the Oscars of the Watchmaking Profession. This was an unprecedented year; the first time a Chinese watchmaker was awarded a prize, the first year resumption of the award even...
It was a great evening again and i was happy to see all people from the watch industry and many collectors again .
Some expected and unexpected winners imho . All in all it was a great night that ended like all other years in the bar with a group of watchmakers and watch journalists and collectors. Thanks for this great review
Thank you! It was an enjoyable and wonderful event. So I felt I had to try to capture that energy in the report!
Seems like I didn't fail too badly! What was your favorite watch in the GPHG? Mine is the MB&F with the engravings on the dial and the Bulgari Octo Finissimo, but not the perpetual calendar - I prefer the time only version.
Of the winners, the CIGA caught my attention.
The politics/requirement of brands having to submit/apply pieces for considerations means that several amazing new offers didn’t make it. IMHO: the awards should be for best dial, most unique time indication, best case, best new material, best movement te...
I see a potential future GPHG Academy Member one day possibly!
I do like some of your categories and ideas! Maybe one day those categories will come up! You're ahead of your time!
You flatter me with your generosity.
Always too kind 🙏🏿😁 Once again, thanks for your comprehensive and enjoyable report
Merci Mon Ami!
Le ville de Geneva est tres amusant avec Amanico! I miss the old days when you were here and we'd all look at your furry shoes and go "Moooo."
Thanks! All is alright. Not complaining!
How about you Jrwong23? Life treating you well? I gotta get myself over to see you sometime soon! Once it's safe to do so.
Good to hear Patrick!
Yes hope we can all travel again soon Have a good weekend Cheers Robin
Thank you kindly!
I wanted to get it live as quickly as possible, but unfortunately I was too tired after the event to make the posting. But I'm glad it's being read and well received. As you know... it's why we write about our experiences!
Oh! And you and the bears would approve of the champagne poured afterwards...
They had Laurent Perrier champagne. Non vintage, but still quite good.
Fantastic coverage Patrick, thank you!
Looks like a wonderful event to have attended.
Yes! It was a wonderful event!
Although with such a momentous year with some interesting awards, coincidences, and such front and center seats, I can't imagine future years always being as good as this year! Then again, I hope to come back someday!
Thank you Patrick for the coverage!
I would have wold whistled Rexhapi too, if that helps me getting to the front of the line for the Chronometre Comtemporain 2!!
Oh! Good idea! Rats! Too bad I can't wolf whistle at all!
I can't whistle at all. Not even to call a taxi cab! Looks like you'll be getting your Chronometre Comtemporain 2 before I will! If I ever get mine at all.
🤣🤣
But the fact of the matter is that no matter how much I whistled it will neither get me to the front of the line nor boost my financial ability to obtain one haha
I am sure a lot of people are too!
Hope that wouldn’t mean a big hike to the normal production version ‘s price
GREAT report and...
Congrats to Tudor for their Ceramic Black Bay for earning the prestigious "Petite Aiguille" prize during Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve (GPHG) 2021! Congrats also as the Tudor BBC is the company's very first METAS-certified timepiece! ...
Generally, I don't believe so. There is no translation that I'm aware of.
Thank you for reading and commenting! There definitely isn't a teleprompter with a translation unfortunately. And I didn't see anyone with translation earpieces, not that anyone wants to touch something used by others during COVID times.
No translator is unfortunate. Some people..
Might think these watches need to commentary associated with them.
Yes! Very big congrats to all the winners!
What a special evening! And thank you for the kind words about my report!
My pleasure, Patrick.
My favorites are the Tambour Carpe Diem Automaton Minute Repeater and the MB&F, LMX Titanium Cheers Thomas
What a special adventure
I can understand French, but i have difficulties with French dialects spoken not in France itself. The watch world is French, that especially in Switzerland. Tourbillon, Cotes des Paris. I am happy WPS send you to the big event. Great winners, great repor...
Ahh, yes, Swiss French is also slightly different than French in France.
Our WPS moderators are always everywhere! Thank you for the kind words!
Thank you Geo for the generous comment!
Which one was your favorite this year? I know you like classic pieces. Anything you find especially appealing this year?
Yes! I had a good time attending the event. Everything was perfect except the fireworks display raining soot and ash on the first row!
Hopefully I'll be able to attend in future years!
Great reporting Patrick
I know how exhausting these shows can be, how hard it is to keep all the names, awards and photos straight. Well done! Mike
Thank you Mike!
Time was on my side. The plane arrived late, I only passed customs at the airport just over an hour before the show started! Had to get myself to the hotel, check in, shower, dress, and get myself to the show all in record time! Luckily, it all worked out...
Thanks for a wonderful write up of the event! I had watched the ceremony live from my home, but I enjoyed reading your report and ……
learned quite a few things I did not catch in the live stream. My guess of the grand prize winner was either De Bethune or MB
I was thinking the grand prize winner wasn't going to be the Bulgari as well...
So I was totally surprised when it turned out to be the Bulgari! Just happened to be wearing mine as well (it's my travel watch and for the past many months, virtually my daily).
it must be a one of a kind experience to attend the event in person and sit on the first row!
Yeah, I was surprised by the grand prize result but I was happy too, as I own an Octo Finissimo Chrono/GMT in steel case. This watch in titanium case won the Chrono category in 2019. I was not wearing my OF when I was watching the event though here is a p...
The ticket says the following...
The ticket says that this paper entitles you to sit in AA, A, or B (the first three rows) in the center. So I thought they were good seats until I realized, the jury sits probably in row K. And that there's a big speaker right in front of my seat and a fi...
Hahaha, sounded like quite an adventure to sit close to the firework machines :)
But you definitely were in a good location to take excellent photos, as we may see in your report . Thanks again for sharing your experience at the ceremony!
Yes. That firework machine was really annoying!
It uses some sort of flint that leaves a residual hard dust that gets all over you and your clothes! I covered myself and my watch as the dust would definitely create scratches. I washed the watch when I got back to my hotel room.
(Just noticed my reply was cut off somehow)
I was saying the my guess of the grand prize winner was either De Bethune or MB and F LMX Titanium. When they ended up winning their categories, I knew that they were not going to win the grand prize. I guess that the Academy favored ultra thin watches, a...
Good calls all the way!
Yeah. Seems like Wei Koh was slightly off this year. But he's a champion of the Bulgari Octo Finissimo. He's been telling people to look at Octo Finissimo for the past five years louder than any other journalist.
Yeah, I saw some of the video reviews by Wei Koh on Octo Finissimo models
They have had at least collaboration pieces too. It is great to have him talk about this product line. Cheers!
Thank you my friend!
Wished you were here! And I'm so sad to be missing you later this month!
