GPHG finalists: already winners!

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GPHG finalists: already winners! - GPHG
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The GPHG Academy has selected 84 watches as finalists, which will be available to view during a traveling exhibition, putting certain brands at the forefront. The exhibition will be notably at Bucherer locations.

Watch the ceremony

Scheduled for 12 November 2020 at the Théâtre du Léman (Geneva), the 20th Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève ceremony will be held amid a scenario that is exceptional from every standpoint. Naturally, the consequences of COVID-19 are prolonging the suspense over the format of the ceremony, which in previous years has brought together more than 1,200 people. In addition, the GPHG Foundation has launched its Oscar-inspired Academy, composed of 350 watch industry personalities who are responsible for proposing candidate watches, then selecting six in each of the 14 categories to establish the list of finalists. Over 5,000 watches were submitted for consideration by the Academy, notably 40 new brands altogether. Each member then assigned a score to each watch, whittling it down to the 2020 finalists. The 84 watches are presented here. In addition, this selection of laureates will be touring Switzerland starting 15 October, with the Musée international d’horlogerie in La Chaux-de-Fonds as the first stop (15-18 October). The public can then enjoy a chance to view it in Zürich at Bucherer (20-22 October), at the Bellevue Hotel in Bern (23-25 October) then at the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire in Geneva (31 October to 15 November). Finally, the GPHG sees the finalist watches from all its vintages since 2001 published in The Millennium Watch Book, (available on the-watch-book.com).

Breitling and Piaget ahead of the game

For its first participation in the GPHG, Breitling stands out with an impressive number of five watches as finalists, reflecting the brand’s new development under the impetus of Georges Kern. His work on product segmentation and the enhancement of its rich heritage is bearing fruit in the field of sports watches and accessible luxury. Breitling watches were selected in the Challenge (Endurance Pro) and “Petite Aiguille” (Superocean Heritage ‘57 Limited Edition II) categories, where value for money is important, as well as in the Chronograph (Top Time Limited Edition), Iconic (Chronomat B01 42) and Diving (Superocean Automatic 48 Boutique Edition) categories. To the great satisfaction of fans of the Altiplano collection, which has long been renowned for its approach to the ultra-thin watch, Piaget is making a major return to this field of expression with three Altiplano watches as finalists: Altiplano Origin Automatic (Iconic), Altiplano Ultimate Concept (Mechanical Exception) and Altiplano Tourbillon (Ladies’ Complication). Two other Piaget watches were also selected in the Ladies’ (Limelight Gala Precious Graded Sapphire) and Jewellery (Limelight Gala Haute Joaillerie Opale Noire) categories.

GPHG finalists: already winners!

GPHG finalists: already winners!

Bulgari, Bovet and Jacob & Co. to the power of 4

In the wake of their success during the Geneva Watch Days, Bovet and Bulgari, who are regulars in GPHG selections, see four of their watches selected by the Academy, for both ladies and men. Thus, Bulgari is building on the exceptional success of the Octo Finissimo with an Octo Finissimo S Blue Dial in the Men’s Watch category, makes the Aluminium line relaunched this summer relevant again with the Aluminium Chronograph in the Iconic category, and continues its operation to seduce with the must-have Serpenti collection in the Jewellery (Serpenti Misteriosi Intrecciati) and Ladies’ Complication (Serpenti Seduttori Tourbillon) categories. Awarded the GPHG “Aiguille d’Or” prize in 2018, Bovet returns to the forefront in the Ladies’ (Miss Audrey), Métiers d’Art (Amadéo Tourbillon Squelette 7 Jours), Mechanical Exception (Récital 26 Braintorm Chapter 2) and Men’s Complication (Récital 27) categories. Relatively new to the GPHG, having been selected as a finalist in 2019, Jacob & Co. capitalises on its spectacular Astronomia line and makes a strong comeback in the Ladies’ Complication (Astronomia Rainbow Garden Flowers) and Métiers d’Art (Astronomia Sky Phoenix) categories, as well as Mechanical Exception (Bugatti Chiron) and, of course Jewellery, (The Mystery Tourbillon Full Ruby).

Les finalistes déjà gagnants !

GPHG finalists: already winners!

GPHG finalists: already winners!Triple Score For Hermès, IWC and Van Cleef & Arpels

La Montre Hermès has been regularly awarded at the GPHG since its first participation in 2011 — with 20 entries in preselection and four finalists over the years. In 2020, Hermès once again scores in the Ladies’ (Arceau Petite Lune Jeté de diamants et saphires), Artistic Crafts (Arceau Into The Canadian Wild) and Men’s Complication (Slim d’Hermès GMT) categories. Van Cleef & Arpels is also a repeat nominee,  with watches competing in the final selection of — no surprises here — Ladies’ Complication (Lady Arpels Ballerine Musicale Diamant), Jewelry (Frivole Secrète) and Artistic Crafts (Lady Arpels Soleil Féerique). As for IWC, making a remarkable return to the Oscars for watchmaking, the Schaffhausen-based brand sees its flagship Portugieser line nominated in the Calendar and Astronomy (Portugieser Yacht Club Moon & Tide), Iconic (Portugieser Chronograph) and Petite Aiguille (Portugieser Automatic 40) categories. Finally, Dior's first participation in the GPHG is also rewarded with three nominations.

GPHG finalists: already winners!

In addition, as a historic media partner of the GPHG (the GPHG and WorldTempus were both established in 2001), WorldTempus would also like to congratulate its partner brands with double finalist nominations: Armin Strom, Chopard, De Bethune, Girard-Perregaux, H. Moser & Cie, MB&F and Parmigiani. As well as those whose watches are nominated and are part of the travelling exhibition throughout Switzerland: Bell & Ross, Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud, Doxa, Grand Seiko, Louis Moinet, Maurice Lacroix, Seiko, Trilobe and Vacheron Constantin. See all the finalists here.

The exhibition, the award ceremony and the post-awards analysis of the categories and results can be followed right here on WorldTempus.com.

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