Gregory Kissling, CEO of Breguet
How did you feel when you were called on stage to receive the “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix last year?
Of course it was very emotional and my immediate thoughts went out to everyone involved. An award like the “Aiguille d’Or” singles out a watch, but behind that watch is above all a team, countless discussions, decisions – and sometimes risks taken. Receiving this accolade confirmed that we had made the right choices and were heading in the right direction. Seeing our work recognized and appreciated by our peers was immensely satisfying. It was undoubtedly one of the greatest honors we could have received on the occasion of our 250th anniversary.
What are you hoping to gain from your participation as a jury member this year?
I find it very interesting to switch sides. When you develop products, you inevitably view them through your own lens, with your own sensibilities and experience. Being on the jury is an opportunity to compare your perspective with that of other professionals and to discover the creativity and expertise on display throughout the industry. Above all, I’m looking forward to a lot of discussion and doubtless a few pleasant surprises.
Wei Koh, jury president du jury and founder of Revolution
How do you envision your role as President of the GPHG jury?
I envision this role as being about serving as the guardian or caretaker of this vital initiative celebrating the best of contemporary horology. Though I am Singaporean, I owe everything – my friendships, my passion and my career – to watchmaking and especially the Swiss watch industry. In order to repay such an enormous debt to this wonderful community to which I am so proud to belong, it is my job to try and build on the great work of the leaders that have come before me such as my dear friend, Nick Foulkes and, of course, the amazing Aurel Bacs. If I can help make the GPHG slightly more relevant to a broader audience and to a younger generation, as well as help open up the competition to the entire industry – including by a small step such as the first fully open category this year for Iconic Watches – then I will have done a small part towards giving something back in return for all that I have received.
What matters most to you for this first edition you're presiding over?
This year is an important one for the GPHG as we have the fully open category I just mentioned, where the jury and the Academy may choose any watch in the entire industry for the Iconic Watch Prize. What is therefore important to me is that the composition of the jury is balanced and that its members are the most intelligent and insightful people I could imagine. In this regard, I have taken the advice of my mother who has always told me that “you should always surround yourself with people who are more intelligent than you.” As you can see from the list of our jury members, I have done precisely that.
Caroline Scheufele, Co-President, Chopard
Chopard is regularly honored at the GPHG, particularly for its ladies’ timepieces. Once again this year, why is this important to you?
Every distinction is above all a recognition of the passionate work done by our artisans and our teams, who bring creations in which watchmaking excellence meets emotion to life. The awards presented by the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève hold special significance, as they celebrate creativity, expertise and innovation alike. I am particularly touched that our ladies’ timepieces are regularly honored. At Chopard, we have always viewed women’s watches as a true realm of artistic and technical expression, rather than mere variations on existing models. Seeing this vision recognized fills me with immense pride and serves as a source of motivation to continue pushing the boundaries of creativity.
Chopard has been nominated in six categories, notably in the “Jewelry” category and in the new “Gemset” category. What are your thoughts on the creation of the latter?
I am delighted by the introduction of this new category, which highlights a particularly demanding and fascinating field of expertise. A gemset watch is far more than just a timepiece adorned with precious stones: it represents a seamless blend of Haute Horlogerie, Haute Joaillerie and artistic crafts. Each creation requires exceptional mastery in terms of both its technical design and its aesthetic execution. The category recognizes the uniqueness of these creations which have played a significant role in Chopard’s identity for many years. It also highlights the evolution of contemporary watchmaking, in which emotion, beauty and exceptional craftsmanship are just as essential as mechanical performance.
