The unique Prix Gaïa honours the very best: those contributing to the reputation of watchmaking, its history, its technology or its industry. An institution of global renown, the Musée international d'horlogerie in La Chaux-de-Fonds – a city whose economic and social history is closely linked to watchmaking – awards this prize in recognition of the spiritual heirs of watchmaking culture embodied in the museum's collections, and in the city itself.
This year, the Prix Gaïa jury, comprising figures active in the watchmaking field, nominated:
Carole Kasapi - winner in the Craftsmanship - Creation category
For conceiving and developing mechanisms that brilliantly combine design, function and reliability, for her involvement in many areas of the watchmaking industry and for her generosity in sharing her passion.
Anthony Turner - winner in the History - Research category
For his exceptional career as an independent consultant in watchmaking research and heritage, and for his historical and technical knowledge of horological objects and valuing collections.
Eric Klein - winner in the Entrepreneurship category
For his visionary character, his ability to understand the watch industry on a systemic level and his implementation of innovative and dynamic industrial processes aimed at guaranteeing excellence in product manufacturing and quality.
Horizon Gaïa grant
Alongside the three categories used to honour leading figures in the watchmaking world, Horizon Gaïa, an incentive grant made possible thanks to the generosity of the Watch Academy Foundation, is being awarded to encourage new talent in the fields recognised by the Prix Gaïa: Craftsmanship - Creation, History - Research, and Entrepreneurship. The grant will finance all or part of an individual project.
The Horizon Gaïa incentive grant has been awarded to Nathanaëlle Delachaux, a student about to complete her studies in the history of art and ethnology at the University of Neuchâtel. Born in 1993, she now lives in the canton of Neuchâtel and has significant experience of museum work.
