A unique moment in the history of the GPHG, which is organising its 20th awards ceremony this Thursday 12 November at 6.30 pm at the Théâtre du Léman: the hall will be empty, missing its 1,200 spectators. But that will only make the online audience that much more numerous! Due to the global health crisis and safety measures put in place, the GPHG Foundation has had to adapt its format like so many other players in the watchmaking industry have had to this year. And yet, the ceremony will still be taking place, and we want to congratulate the Foundation’s management in these trying times for its perseverance and resilience. The dynamic duo, Carine Maillard (director) and Raymond Loretan (president), is working at full speed. Respecting the limit of 50 people for a public gathering, only the members of the jury and representatives of the winning brands will be present, alternating their time on stage. English dubbing will be provided for the broadcast on our site at 6.30 pm (Geneva time). The results will also be announced on our social media channels as they come in.
90 minutes of emotion
Just as it was at every previous edition of this traditional major event in fine watchmaking, normally bringing together the best of the 12th Art (the Art of Time Measurement), laughter and tears of joy will be present on stage, suspense will be the order of the day, and actor Edouard Baer will manage the talkative winners accepting their prize with humour. And he will do so with his trademark sarcasm, no doubt, but always with tact. Quite the artform. During these 90 minutes, which will go down in watchmaking history with the names of the winners, 18 prizes will be awarded by the members of the jury, rewarding watches in 14 categories. The ultimate distinction, the “Aiguille d’Or”, will be presented to its successor by François-Henry Bennahmias, CEO of Audemars Piguet, who accepted the award in 2019.
What is the verdict?
There was also a great deal of emotion for the 30 members of the jury, who met in person on Monday 9 November at the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire de Genève to discuss the 84 finalist watches. Spread out over several tables and separated by at least 1.5 metres this year (we’ll have to come back next year for the conviviality!), they were able to hold the watches in their hands and exchange views on each of them to better inform their decisions, then vote for one watch in each of the categories. President of the jury, Aurel Bacs, moderated those with the most ardour and encouraged the timid to express themselves. Voting is carried out by secret ballot and in the presence of a notary. The members of the jury discover the result at the same time as the public. This double presence required of the jury on Mondays and Thursdays in Geneva explains its composition this year, which is exclusively local (they are all Swiss residents), including yours truly.
As a reminder, this year the GPHG Foundation has created the Academy, bringing together 350 people from the watchmaking community all over the world, who each proposed watches to be selected. Together, they submitted 5,000 watches and then carried out the first round of votes, which resulted in the selection of 84 finalist watches. For the final verdict, join us on Thursday from 6.30 pm on WorldTempus!
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