The Swatch Group is the clear overall winner at the 2014 edition of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG). Breguet takes the coveted “Aiguille d’Or” (Golden Hand) trophy with its Classique Chronométrie model, as well the Public Prize for its Classique Dame. The names of these models alone set the scene for the classical theme to this year’s awards, with the Swatch Group’s Blancpain and Omega brands taking the Ladies’ Watch and “Revival” prizes.
Even beyond the Swatch Group, the classical theme continued with the likes of De Bethune and A. Lange Söhne winning awards, as did Walter Lange himself, who was awarded the Special Jury Prize. The “Petite Aiguille” Prize, awarded to watches costing less than 8,000 Swiss francs retail price, was awarded to Seiko’s Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT model, also a watch with an inherently classic design.
The only exception among the classical models, all of which will be on display at SalonQP in London next week, is the EMC by Urwerk. But even here, the primary objective of the innovative high tech found inside the watch is to demonstrate the excellent precision of a classic mechanical watch movement.
Here is the full list of winners of the GPHG 2014:
Aiguille d’Or
Breguet Classique Chronométrie
Ladies’ Watch Prize
Blancpain Women Off-centred Hour
Ladies High-Mech Watch Prize
Christophe Claret Margot
Men’s Watch Prize
Urban Jürgensen & Sonner Central Second
Chronograph Watch Prize
De Bethune DB29 Maxichrono Tourbillon
Tourbillon Watch Prize
Grönefeld Parallax Tourbillon
Calendar Watch Prize
A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Perpetual Calendar “Terraluna”
Striking Watch Prize
Hublot Classic Fusion Cathedral Tourbillon Minute Repeater
Mechanical Exception Watch Prize
Urwerk EMC
“Petite Aiguille” Prize
Seiko Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 GMT
Sports Watch Prize
Zenith El Primero Lightweight
Jewellery Watch Prize
Bulgari Diva High Jewellery Emeralds
Artistic Crafts Watch Prize
Voutilainen Hisui
Innovation Watch Prize
Urwerk EMC
“Revival” Prize
Omega Speedmaster “Dark Side of the Moon”
Special Jury Prize
Walter Lange
Public Prize
Breguet Classique Dame