GPHG 2016 – Ferdinand Berthoud wins the Aiguille d’Or (plus all the results by category)

Just like the media and entertainment industry, the watchmaking world has its own set of awards; the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève or GPHG 2016 – affectionately known as the Watchmaking World’s Academy Awards. Last year, the Grand Prix was given to Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey for their Tourbillon 24 Secondes Inclined Vision, and a Jury Award for Watchmaking was given to the three master watchmakers from Vacheron Constantin who created the world’s most complicated watch, the 57260. This year, we have our own Xavier Markl attending the show and me, behind my keyboard, writing live so you can have the results as soon the ceremony finishes. First up, the Grand Prix / “Aiguille d’Or”  which has been awarded to Ferdinand Berthoud for the Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud FB1.

The Grand Prix / “Aiguille d’Or” – Ferdinand Berthoud with the Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud FB1

This prize rewards the best overall watch among all categories and is the most prestigious award. The “Aiguille d’Or” can be considered as the Oscar or the Palme d’Or of watchmaking. It recompenses the best watch of the year, all categories included. This year the Grand Prix of the GPHG 2016 is awarded to Ferdinand Berthoud for the Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud FB1.

Public Prize – Prix du Public – Czapek 33bis Quai des Bergues

The public prize (based on public votes) is awarded to Czapek and their first creation, the 33bis Quai des Bergues – a watch financed by crowdfunding and based on the work of François Czapek, Norbert de Patek’s first associate on his path to creating Patek Philippe. The brand relaunched just 1 year ago.

Special Jury Prize – George Daniels and the George Daniels Educational Trust

The jury tonight wants to pay tribute to one of the greatest watchmakers of the 20th century, George Daniels and his legacy to the industry, and with the George Daniels Educational Trust. He was the inventor of the co-axial escapement and a respected writer of books.

Revival Prize – TAG Heuer Monza Chronograph

The Revival Prize is given to TAG Heuer for the Monza Chronograph. This prize rewards the best watch presented in one of the twelve categories, which features a contemporary re-edition or reinterpretation of an iconic historical model.

Ladies’ / Dame – Piaget Limelight Gala Bracelet Milanais

The Ladies’ category awards women’s watches comprising a maximum of two of the following indications: date, power reserve, classic moon phase, second time zone; and may be adorned with a maximum 5-carat gem-setting. For the GPHG 2016, the Ladies’ Watch Prize is given to Piaget with the Limelight Gala Bracelet Milanais.

Ladies’ High-Mechanical / Haute Mécanique pour Dame – Girard-Perregaux Cats Eye Tourbillon sous Pont d’Or

The Ladies’ High Mechanical category awards women’s watches that are remarkable in terms of their mechanical creativity and complexity. These watches may feature all kinds of complications and indications – classic and/or innovative – and are not limited by the stricter requirements of the Ladies’ category. The Girard-Perregaux Cats Eye Tourbillon sous Pont d’Or wins the category.

Men’s / Homme – Grönefeld 1941 Remontoire

The Men’s category awards men’s watches comprising a maximum of two of the following indications: date, power reserve, classic moon phase; it may be adorned with a maximum 5-carat gem-setting. The prize goes to Tim and Bart Grönefeld for the incredible 1941 Remontoire.

Chronograph / Chronographe – Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter

The Chronograph Category awards mechanical watches comprising at least one chronograph indication. Additional indications and/or complications are admissible. For the GPHG 2016, Montblanc wins the category with the superb 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter.

Tourbillon – Girard-Perregaux La Esmeralda Tourbillon

The Tourbillon Category awards mechanical watches comprising at least one tourbillon. Additional indications and/or complications are admissible. The GPHG 2016 Tourbillon Prize is given this year to Girard-Perregaux with La Esmeralda Tourbillon.

Calendar / Calendrier – MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual

The Calendar Category awards mechanical watches comprising at least one calendar and/or astronomical complication (e.g. annual calendar, perpetual calendar, equation of time, complex moon-phase display, etc.). Additional indications and/or complications are admissible. This year the  prize goes to Max Busser and MB&F with the Legacy Machine Perpetual.

Travel Time – Fuseaux Horaires – Faberge Visionnaire DTZ

The Travel Time Category awards Mechanical watches displaying several time zones (eg: worldtime, dual-time or other types of model). Additional indications and/or complications are admissible. New category for 2016. The GPHG 2016 prize is given this year to the Faberge Visionnaire DTZ.

Mechanical Exception /  Exception Mécanique – Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie

The Mechanical Exception Category awards watches featuring a special mechanism, such as an innovative or sophisticated display, an automaton, a striking or any other acoustic function, a belt-driven movement or any other original and/or exceptional horological concept. The GPHG 2016 Mechanical Exception Prize goes to the hyper innovative Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie.

Petite Aiguille (below 8,000CHF) – Tudor Heritage Black Bay Bronze

The award for the accessible watch is given to Tudor with the Heritage Black Bay Bronze. The Petite Aiguille awards watches that are priced below 8,000 Swiss Francs.

Sports – Eberhard Scafograf 300

The Sports Category awards watches linked to the field of sports, whose functions, materials and design are suited to physical activities. The Prize goes this year to Eberhard with the Scafograf 300.

Jewellery / Joaillerie – Chanel Montre à Secret Signature Grenat

The Jewellery Category awards watches demonstrating exceptional mastery of the art of jewellery and gem-setting, and also distinguished by the choice of stones. The Prize goes to Chanel with the Montre à Secret Signature Grenat.

Artistic Craft / Métiers d’Art – Piaget Protocole XXL Secrets Lights Venise micro-mosaique

The Artistic Craft Category awards watches demonstrating exceptional mastery of one or several artistic techniques such as enamelling, lacquering, engraving, guilloché (engine-turning), skeleton-working, etc. The Métiers d’Art Prize this year goes to Piaget with the Protocole XXL Secrets Lights Venise micro-mosaique.