The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) aims, in a spirit of sharing and cooperation, to yearly highlight and reward high-quality creations in order to nurture the advancement of the watchmaking art and contribute to promoting the watch industry worldwide.
1. PARTICIPATION
1.1. The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) is open to all watch brands, irrespective of nationality.
1.2. Only watches commercialised after March 2018 and at the latest by October 31, 2019 – are eligible to take part.
1.3. To participate, brands must submit their entries by June 21, 2019 at the latest. Entry conditions and procedures are set out in detail in Appendix I.
1.4. Brands may enter one or several watches in the competition (seven at the most) representing a variety of models and entered in different categories. A single given model may be entered in only one category.
1.5. Brands are free to choose the category in which they enter each watch. Nonetheless, compliance of their entries with these rules is verified by the jury commissioner.
1.6. The fourteen categories are as follows:
- Ladies’: women’s watches comprising the following indications only: hours, minutes, seconds, simple date (day of the month), power reserve, classic moon phases; may be adorned with a maximum 8-carat gemsetting.
- Ladies’ Complication: women’s watches that are remarkable in terms of their mechanical creativity and complexity. These watches may feature all kinds of classic and/or innovative complications and indications (e.g. annual calendar, perpetual calendar, equation of time, complex moon phases, digital or retrograde time display, worldtime, second time zone or other types of model) and do not fit the definition of the Ladies’ and Mechanical Exception categories.
- Men’s: men’s watches comprising the following indications only: hours, minutes, seconds, simple date (day of the month), power reserve, classic moon phases; may be adorned with a maximum 5-carat gemsetting.
- Men’s Complication: men’s watches that are remarkable in terms of their mechanical creativity and complexity. These watches may feature all kinds of classic and/or innovative complications and indications (e.g. worldtime, dual-time or other types of model) and do not fit the definition of the Men’s and Mechanical Exception categories.
- Iconic: men’s or ladies’ watches from an emblematic collection that has been exercising a lasting influence on watchmaking history and the watch market for more than 25 years.
- Chronometry: mechanical watches comprising at least one tourbillon and/or a special escapement and/or another development improving chronometry (precision timekeeping). Additional indications and/or complications are admissible.
- Calendar and Astronomy: men’s mechanical watches comprising at least one calendar and/or astronomical complication (e.g. date, annual calendar, perpetual calendar, equation of time, complex moon phases display, etc.). Additional indications and/or complications are admissible.
- Mechanical Exception: men’s and/or ladies’ watches featuring a special mechanism, such as an innovative or sophisticated display, an automaton, a striking or any other acoustic function, a belt-driven movement or any other original and/or exceptional horological concept.
- Chronograph: mechanical watches comprising at least one chronograph indication. Additional indications and/or complications are admissible.
- Diver’s: watches linked to the world of diving, whose functions, materials and design are suited to this activity.
- Jewellery: watches demonstrating exceptional mastery of the art of jewellery and gemsetting, and also distinguished by the choice of stones.
- Artistic Crafts: watches demonstrating exceptional mastery of one or several artistic techniques such as enamelling, lacquering, engraving, guilloché (engine-turning), skeleton-working, etc.
- “Petite Aiguille”: watches with a retail price between CHF 4,000 and CHF 10,000. Smartwatches are admissible in this category.
- Challenge: watches with a retail price under CHF 4,000. Smartwatches are admissible in this category.
1.7. Photos and descriptions of watch entries are presented at each stage on the official Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève website - www.gphg.org.
1.8. The 2019 list of prize-winners will be announced at the 19th prize-giving ceremony of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, which will take place at the Théâtre du Léman in Geneva on Thursday November 7, 2019.
2. AWARDS
The jury of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève awards the following prizes:
2.1. “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix
- This prize rewards the best overall watch among all categories (Best in Show), also deemed the most representative of the watch industry as a whole. It is the most prestigious award.
2.2. Ladies’ Watch Prize
- This prize rewards the best watch competing in the Ladies’ category (cf. article 1.6).
2.3. Ladies’ Complication Watch Prize
- This prize rewards the best watch competing in the Ladies’ Complication category (cf. article 1.6).
2.4. Men’s Watch Prize
- This prize rewards the best watch competing in the Men’s category (cf. article 1.6).
2.5. Men’s Complication Watch Prize
- This prize rewards the best watch competing in the Men’s Complication category (cf. article 1.6).
2.6. Iconic Watch Prize
- This prize rewards the best watch competing in the Iconic category (cf. article 1.6).
2.7. Chronometry Watch Prize
- This prize rewards the best watch competing in the Chronometry category ( article 1.6).
2.8. Calendar and Astronomy Watch Prize
- This prize rewards the best watch competing in the Calendar and Astronomy category ( article 1.6).
2.9. Mechanical Exception Watch Prize
- This prize rewards the best watch competing in the Mechanical Exception category (cf. article 1.6).
2.10. Chronograph Watch Prize
- This prize rewards the best watch competing in the Chronograph category (cf. article 1.6).
2.11. Diver’s Watch Prize
- This prize rewards the best watch competing in the Diver’s category (cf. article 1.6)
2.12. Jewellery Watch Prize
- This prize rewards the best watch competing in the Jewellery category (cf. article 1.6)
2.13. Artistic Crafts Watch Prize
- This prize rewards the best watch competing in the Artistic Crafts category (cf. article 1.6)
2.14. “Petite Aiguille” Prize
- This prize rewards the best watch competing in the “Petite Aiguille” category (cf. article 1.6)
2.15. Challenge Watch Prize
- This prize rewards the best watch competing in the Challenge category (cf. article 1.6)
2.16. Innovation Prize
- This prize rewards the best watch, presented in one of the fourteen categories, that offers an innovative vision of time measurement (in terms of technique, design, materials, etc.) and opens up new development pathways for the watchmaking art. This prize is discretionary and the jury will decide whether there are grounds for awarding it in 2019.
2.17. Audacity Prize
- This prize rewards the best watch, presented in one of the fourteen categories, which features a non-conformist, offbeat approach to watchmaking. It is intended to foster creative audacity. This prize is discretionary and the jury will decide whether there are grounds for awarding it in 2019.
2.18. "Horological Revelation" Prize
- This prize rewards a watch, created by a young brand (less than ten years of existence since its first model was commercialised) and entered in one of the fourteen categories. It may also reward the mechanical creation of a young talent, in the event that none of the competing watches should be considered worthy of receiving this prize. This prize is optional and the jury will decide whether it should be awarded in 2019.
2.19. Special Jury Prize
- This prize rewards a personality, institution or initiative that has played a fundamental role in promoting high-quality watchmaking. It cannot be awarded to a watch, nor to a brand as such.
3. JURY
3.1. An official, international and multidisciplinary jury is appointed each year by the Board of the Foundation of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, after consultation with various watch industry representatives.
3.2. The jury is composed of representatives from the watch industry (experts, collectors, journalists, etc.). It is 20 to 25% renewed each year. The list of the 2019 jury members is provided in Appendix II A.
3.3. The brand that wins the “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix is automatically ineligible for the competition the following year, and its founder or CEO is invited to sit on the jury for one year.If this person is directly related to one or more other brands, he or she will not take part in voting in the categories in which watches from this brand(s) participate.
3.4. The president of the jury and the vice-president of the jury are appointed by the Board of the Foundation of the GPHG.
3.5. Jury members are duty bound to respect the rules and to maintain strict confidentiality, thus guaranteeing their independence. Failure to comply with this article will be penalised by immediate exclusion without appeal.
4. JURY COMMISSIONER
4.1. The jury commissioner is a personality acknowledged for his professional expertise in
4.2. He is appointed by the Board of the Foundation of the GHPG, and serves as consultative role with the jury.
4.3. He ensures compliance with the rules and that competing watches meet admission criteria.
4.4. He has no voting rights.
4.5. The name of the commissioner appointed for the current year is published in Appendix II B.
5. VOTING PROCEDURE
First round :
5.1. In the first round of voting, by secret ballot, jury members select six watches per category and classify them according to their personal order of preference. The first watch gets six points, the second five points, and so on through to the sixth, which gets one point. The votes are counted under the supervision of a notary.
5.2. The first round of voting serves to select six watches in each of the fourteen categories. These are the pre-selected watches. The pre-selected watches take part in the rest of the competition and in the various exhibitions.
Second round:
5.3. Jury members, assisted by the notary, meet behind closed doors in Geneva during the exhibition of the pre-selected watches, in order to physically evaluate each of the pre-selected models and to proceed to the second ballot. The ballot papers are counted by the notary.
5.4. The second round of voting is another secret ballot in which jury members classify each of the six watches pre-selected in the first round in each of the fourteen categories, and award them marks from one to ten. The best watch earns ten points, the second earns six points, the third earns four points, the fourth earns three points, the fifth earns two points and the last earns one point. This second selection serves to designate the winning watches in each of the fourteen categories.
5.5. In the event of a draw, the Jury President’s vote counts double.
5.6. The jury casts a separate vote for the “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix. Initially, jury members individually specify which of the pre-selected watches they consider most deserving of this prize. These watches are listed and a discussion follows, enabling them all to express their opinion, if they so wish. A first vote is cast by secret ballot to define the six finalist watches among the listed watches. The result of the first vote is announced by the notary. A discussion follows, and then a second round of voting by secret ballot determines the winner among the six finalists. The watch that wins the “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix is no longer taken into account in the category in which it was initially competing.
5.7. The jury casts a separate vote for the Innovation Prize, the Audacity Prize and the “Horological Revelation” Prize. Following discussion, the jury members jointly define the three to five watches they consider most deserving of each prize. The ensuing vote is cast be secret ballot. The watches that win the Innovation Prize, the Audacity Prize and the “Horological Revelation” Prize are no longer taken into account in the categories in which they were initially competing. The Innovation Prize, the Audacity Prize and the “Horological Revelation” Prize are discretionary and the jury will decide whether there are grounds for awarding them in 2019.
5.8. A single brand cannot win more than three prizes. If a brand is set to win four prizes, the “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix, the Innovation Prize, the Audacity Prize and the “Horological Revelation” Prize will be maintained as a priority if they are involved, followed by the prizes corresponding to the other categories in which the brand’s watches have earned the highest number of points. A watch no longer eligible for a given category from a brand that has already won three prizes will be replaced by the one that came second (or third if necessary, etc.).
5.9. The jury also votes for the Special Jury Prize during the meeting mentioned under point 5.3. Following discussion, the members of the jury agree on three names proposed for the prize. The ensuing vote is cast by secret ballot.
5.10. The names of the winners are revealed in the Théâtre du Léman in Geneva during the prize-giving ceremony (see date in Appendix III).
6. TRAVELLING EXHIBITION
6.1. The watches pre-selected in accordance with Article 5.2 are displayed during an international travelling exhibition during the six weeks prior to the prize-giving ceremony. One or two exhibitions also take place after the prize-giving ceremony, presenting all the pre-selected watches or only the winning watches.
6.2. The watches pre-selected by the jury must be available for these exhibitions between September 18, 2019 and November 18, 2019 (November 30 for prize-winners).
6.3. The organising body of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève covers all exhibition expenses (insurance, security, presentation). Brands will only be asked to make a single flat-rate contribution to organisation and shipping expenses to the amount of CHF 5’500 per watch.
7. DONATING WINNING WATCHES
7.1. Prize-winning brands are invited (but are under no obligation) to donate one of each prize-winning watch to the Geneva Art and History Museum, which will devote a showcase to the history of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.
8. REFERENCES TO THE GRAND PRIX D’HORLOGERIE DE GENÈVE
8.1. The “Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève” brand name and logo are the property of the Foundation of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.
8.2. Prize-winners are entitled to use this brand name and logo, provided they ensure strict compliance with the following restrictive conditions:
- The brand name and logo must only appear in association with the watch that won the prize and in a well-defined medium or context (whatever the nature or form of the latter), to the exclusion of any other watch in the same medium or within the same context.
- The category and year in which the prize was won must be specifically mentioned directly below the brand name or logo.
8.3. Prize-winners wishing to use this brand name or logo in any other manner must request prior approval from the Foundation, which may refuse such permission without indicating the grounds for such a refusal.
9. ACCEPTANCE OF THE RULES
9.1. Participation in the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève automatically implies acceptance of all articles contained in these rules.
APPENDIX I
Entry conditions and procedures
1.1. Only watches respecting the criteria of the point 1.2 of the 2019 rules are eligible to participate.
1.2. To take part, brands must send their entries by June 21, 2019 at the latest by email (via a WeTransfer link or similar) to the following address: organisation@gphg.org
1.3. Entries must include the following digital elements:
- A duly completed entry form (to be downloaded from www.gphg.org, in “ Entries”, fill out, sign and scan as a PDF). Please note that each model is allowed to enter in one category only.
- Photos of each watch (at least one upright presentation against a white background and another against a black background) / digital format, 300 dpi, JPEG, RGB colours.
- A written description of each watch in French and English (digital format, Word). Presentation specially adapted for the GPHG, clearly mentioning the specific characteristics of the watch in a few key points, in addition to or preferably instead of a press release.
- “GPHG candidature” Excel file duly completed (to be downloaded from www.gphg.org / “ Entries”).
- Logo of the brand (EPS and AI).
- Video: we also invite you to send us an url link on YouTube (or similar) to a presentation of your watch (maximum 1 minute / corporate video or brief presentation by a brand representative, specifically dedicated to the GPHG and mentioning the chief characteristics of the watch justifying its participation in the chosen category).
For any further information, please e-mail organisation@gphg.org
1.4. Registration costs CHF 500 per candidate watch. This sum is intended to cover administrative expenses relating to the entry. These costs will be invoiced upon receipt of the entry and must be settled within 30 days.
APPENDIX II
A. Composition of the 2019 official jury
For the 2019 edition of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, the jury is composed as follows:
President:
Aurel Bacs, expert in collector's watches, co-founder and partner with Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo / Switzerland
Vice-president:
Gianfranco Ritschel, consultant and trainer in watchmaking / Switzerland
Members:
Carlos Alonso, publisher and editor-in-chief of Tiempo de Relojes and director of the Salon Internacional Alta Relojeria / Mexico
Jasem Al Zeraei, influencer, watch collector / Kowait
Carson Chan, collector, trainer, head of mission of FHH in Asia / China
Carla Chalouhi, president of Arije International / France
David Chang, founder of Watchina and director of Beijing Collectors' Association / China
Sébastien Chaulmontet, collector, watch creator, historian / Switzerland
Elizabeth Doerr, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Quill & Pad, specialized watch journalist / Germany - USA
Philippe Dufour, independent watchmaker / Switzerland
Jack Forster, editor-in-chief of Hodinkee / USA
Nick Foulkes, historian, author, contributor to the Financial Times / United Kingdom
Gary Getz, watch collector, photographer and writer / USA
Dody Giussani, editor-in-chief of L’Orologio / Italy
Aldis Hodge, actor, watch designer / USA
Heekyung Jung, publisher, journalist and trainer / South Korea
Masaki Kanazawa, watchmaker of Musée international d’horlogerie (MIH) / Japan - Switzerland
Marine Lemonnier, watchmaking communication expert / Switzerland
Pierre Maillard, editor-in-chief of Europa Star and filmmaker / Switzerland
William Rohr, collector, managing director of TimeZone.com / USA
Pierre Salanitro, CEO of Salanitro / Switzerland
Abdul Hamied Seddiqi, vice-chairman of Seddiqi Holding / Dubai
Claude Sfeir, collector, gemmologist, jeweller / Lebanon
Antoine Simonin, watchmaking expert and teacher, publisher, bookseller / Switzerland
Jiaxian Su, collector, founder of SJXwatches.com / Singapore
Rebecca Struthers, watchmaker, co-founding director of Struthers Watchmakers / United Kingdom
Michael Tay, co-group managing director of The Hour Glass / Singapore
Suzanne Wong, editor in chief of WorldTempus / Switzerland
Jessica Yu, Founder of Hantang Culture / China
Pascal Raffy, owner of Bovet Fleurier, the brand that won the 2018 "Aiguille d'Or" Grand Prix, out of competition in 2019.
By way of reminder: the brand that wins the "Aiguille d'Or" Grand Prix is automatically ineligible for the competition the following year, and its founder or CEO is invited to sit on the jury for one year.
B. Jury Commissioner
For the 2019 edition of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, the commissioner of the jury is:
Régis Hugenin-Dumittan, holder of a doctorate in history, curator-director of the MIH, Musée International d’Horlogerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds
APPENDIX III
Date
The prize-giving ceremony for the 2019 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève will take place at the Théâtre du Léman in Geneva on Thursday November 7, 2019.