Organised and hosted by the Vakko fashion group in its privatised hotel on the banks of the Bosphorus, this second stage of the GPHG 2025 travelling exhibition invites the local public to enjoy a deep dive into the fascinating world of watchmaking, gaining a better grasp of its many facets by discovering the most beautiful current timepieces under the guidance of expert watchmakers.
Inaugurated yesterday in a ceremony attended by Turkish authorities and Swiss Ambassador to Turkey, His Excellency Guillaume Scheurer, this exhibition also provides an ideal setting in which to celebrate this year’s 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Turkey.
Cem Hakko, President of the Vakko group, said : “This exhibition is not only a tribute to fine watchmaking, but also a celebration of time as an art form — honouring craftsmanship, elegance, and cultural dialogue. Our vision is to bridge past and future, local values and universal aesthetics. With this collaboration, we bring the artistic and cultural spirit of Swiss watchmaking to Turkey, marking a meaningful moment as our countries celebrate 100 years of friendship.”
Raymond Loretan, President of the GPHG Foundation, added: “After Shanghai, Istanbul offers an exceptional setting where cultures, histories and creative energies meet. The Bosphorus, a bridge between East and West, perfectly symbolizes the spirit of the GPHG: a celebration of the universal art of watchmaking, which transcends borders and brings people together around beauty, creation and innovation.”
In Geneva, the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire will in turn host all the nominated timepieces from 29 October to 16 November. Final stop of the 2025 tour, following the awards ceremony, Dubai Watch Week will honour the winners from 19 to 23 November.
The 90 timepieces nominated by the Academy are in the running to win one of 20 prizes – including the prestigious “Aiguille d'Or” Grand Prix – that will be handed out on Thursday 13 November in Geneva during the 25th GPHG awards ceremony, broadcast live on gphg.org at 6pm CET.
