The Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept Wins the “Aiguille d’Or” at GPHG 2020 (and all the other prizewinners)

Despite the challenges the industry had to face this year, it needed a celebration and some joy. So here we are, as the 2020 edition of the GPHG, known as the “Oscars of the watchmaking industry”, has come to a close and the prize for the best watch of the year, also known as the “Aiguille d’Or”, has been awarded. As often with the Grand Prix, the focus has been on creativity, innovation and high-end watchmaking. Without surprise, the best watch of 2020 is the Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept, the world’s thinnest mechanical watch ever made (at 2mm). A well-deserved prize, if you ask us, considering the impressive technical achievement. 

GPHG 2020 – Quick Take

For many years, the Grand Prix tends to reward ultra-complex watches that celebrate Haute Horlogerie and innovative watchmaking. The 2020 edition of the GPHG  is no exception, as this year, one of the most impressive technical achievements of the last decade has been rewarded with the Aiguille d’Or. As is often the case, independent watchmaking is at centre stage, with brands like Bovet, Voutilainen, Greubel Forsey, H. Moser & Cie., and even one of the most promising newcomers Petermann Bédat, all returning home tonight with a “Golden Hand” prize.

And now, here’s the complete list of the winning watches at the GPHG 2020.

Aiguille d’Or – Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept

The Grand Prix goes this year to a watch that will definitely mark history as the thinnest mechanical watch ever manufactured. The Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept, which involved a radical re-engineering of the entire concept of a watch, measures only 2mm in height – less than most mechanical movements. From this year, this watch that was originally presented as a concept prototype in 2018, is now available for orders through a customisation programme. Congratulations to Piaget for this well-deserved prize.

Ladies’ Watch – Bovet 1822 Miss Audrey

Ladies’ Complication – Charles Girardier, Tourbillon Signature

Men’s Watch – Voutilainen 28SC

Men’s Complication – Greubel Forsey Hand Made 1

Iconic Watch – Bvlgari Aluminium Chronograph

Chronometry – Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud FB 2RE.2

Calendar and Astronomy – Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin Skeleton

Mechanical Exception – Bovet 1822 Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter two

Chronograph – H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Flyback Chronograph Automatic

Diver’s Watch – Breitling Superocean Automatic 48 Boutique Edition

Jewellery – Van Cleef & Arpels Frivole Secrète watch

Artistic Crafts – Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Soleil Féerique

Petite Aiguille – Breitling Superocean Heritage ’57 Limited Edition II

Challenge Watch – Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight

Innovation – Parmigiani Fleurier Hijri Perpetual Calendar

Audacity – H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon H. Moser X MB&F

Horological Revelation – Petermann Bédat Dead beat second

Special Jury Prize – Antoine Simonin

Watchmaker, teacher, editor and former director of the WOSTEP Foundation.

More details at gphg.org.