WORLDTEMPUS / 15 November 2012
Elizabeth Doerr
Two short years ago, Eugenio Zigliotto passed away. Born in 1940, he was a connoisseur of the finer things in life and a professional sports reporter. In 1986, he did something no one else had done to that moment in time: he founded a magazine dedicated solely to modern mechanical wristwatches.
As you can see from the date of the founding, Orologi da Polso was far ahead of its time, published before the mechanical renaissance was broadly underway. Zigliotto was also the first to create a group of international magazines in licensed format: forms of Orologi da Polso were published over the years in France, the U.S.A., England, Portugal, Japan, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany and China.
The Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie has introduced a new award in honor of Zigliotto's memory, one destined to show respect to two personalities in the world of high watchmaking. The inaugural prizes, decided by a jury formed by the Cultural Council of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, were bestowed upon the recipients by Cultural Council founder Franco Cologni during an awards ceremony dinner on November 14 in Lausanne. They were received in the presence of Franca Zigliotto, Eugenio Zigliotto's widow, and Olivier Baudry of Banque Julius Bär, the award's main sponsor.
Hommage à la Passion
Awarded to an outstanding personality who has contributed to fine watchmaking over a number of years, Jean-Claude Biver was the first recipient of Hommage à la Passion award. Rarely has any industry had the pleasure of such a communicative, controversial, passionate and talented marketer and businessman as Biver. His business acumen and sense of communication exhibited since the 1980s has been instrumental in turning the world's attention back to the ticking treasures of Switzerland. Omega, Blancpain and Hublot have not only benefited from his expertise, but absolutely flourished. Today, in this age of media and Internet, Biver continues to stand out with his colorful remarks, incredible ideas and brilliant marketing.
Hommage au Talent
Awarded to a personality who has used his or her talent to make a significant contribution to fine watchmaking, for many the masterful Giulio Papi of Audemars Piguet Renaud et Papi was likely a natural choice. Not only has this talented and genuine man created a business indispensible to the world of fine watchmaking (among others, creating some of Audemars Piguet and Richard Mille's most complicated timepieces), but he has also patiently mentored some of the most high profile and talented watchmakers in our industry – men and women (yes, Carole Foresteri-Kasapi of Cartier counts among them) – who have gone on to their own successes.
The physical award was designed by ECAL (University of Art and Design Lausanne/Ecole Cantonale d'Art de Lausanne) in collaboration with the Baccarat fine crystal company.
