FROM THE EDITORS Letters + Events
THE 2023 GPHG AWARDS
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Nancy Olson Managing Editor | nancy @ isochronmedia . com
n extraordinary group of timepiece enthusiasts assembled at the Théâtre du Léman in Geneva on November 9 for the 2023 Grand Prix d ’ Horlogerie de Genève ( GPHG ). This much-anticipated awards event , often dubbed the Oscars of Watchmaking , was a memorable affair , with a few surprises , many outstanding watches , and a roster of distinguished guests .
The nominated timepieces were revealed in October , and the contenders traveled to Macao , Hong Kong , Kuala Lumpur , and New York ( displayed at luxury retailer Watches of Switzerland at its SoHo flagship ) to ramp up excitement before the culminating celebration in Switzerland . The pieces have since shown up at the prestigious Dubai Watch Week , held at The Gate , Dubai International Financial Centre ( DIFC ), where the winners were presented from November 15 to 20 .
Nineteen prizes were awarded , including the newly revived Sports Watch Prize . The coveted Aiguille d ’ Or Grand Prix was bestowed on Audemars Piguet for the Code 11.59 Ultra- Complication Universelle RD # 4 .
Another highlight of 2023 , I think , was the Special Jury Prize . Meant to acknowledge an outstanding personality or institution in the watchmaking world , it went to watchmaking A-listers Svend Andersen and Vincent Calabrese for the conception of the non-profit ( and wonderfully countercultural ) Academy of Creative Independent Watchmakers ( AHCI ) in 1985 .
Here ’ s a complete rundown of the jury-chosen winners :
Aiguille d ’ Or Grand Prix : Audemars Piguet , Code 11.59 Ultra-Complication Universelle RD # 4 Innovation Prize : Hautlence , Sphere Series 1
The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Ultra-Complication Universelle RD # 4 .
Audacity Prize : Maison Alcée , Persée Azur Chronometry Prize : Ferdinand Berthoud , Chronomètre FB 3SPC Horological Revelation Prize : Simon Brette , Chronomètre Artisans Ladies ’ Watch Prize : Piaget , Hidden Treasures Ladies ’ Complication Watch Prize : Dior Montres , Grand Soir Automate Etoile de Monsieur Dior Men ’ s Complication Watch Prize : Voutilainen , World Timer Iconic Watch Prize : Ulysse Nardin , Freak One Tourbillon Watch Prize : Laurent Ferrier , Grand Sport Tourbillon Pursuit Calendar and Astronomy Watch Prize : Bovet 1822 , Récital 20 Astérium Chronograph Watch Prize : Petermann Bédat , Chronographe rattrapante Sports Watch Prize : Tudor , Pelagos 39 Jewellery Watch Prize : Bulgari , Serpenti Cleopatra Artistic Crafts Watch Prize : Piaget , Altiplano Métiers d ’ Art - Undulata “ Petite Aiguille ” Prize : Christopher Ward London , C1 Bel Canto Challenge Watch Prize : Raymond Weil , Millésime automatic small seconds Mechanical Clock Prize : L ’ Epée 1839 , Time Fast II Chrome Special Jury Prize : Svend Andersen and Vincent Calabrese
Until next year , happy holidays and happy watch hunting .
8 | INTERNATIONAL WRISTWATCH | FALL 2023