Tourneau Minutes - 2012 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneva Awards Ceremony

For the very first time, Geneva is linked in a two-way broadcast with New York, where the live transmission of the GPHG ceremony is held at Tourneau's 510 Madison store. The Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneva (GPHG) brings together some of the most influential figures in the industry, coming from around the world to attend the ceremony.

Marcel Philippe, collector and the Assistant District Attorney for New York City, will be a special guest of Tourneau New York and a strong presence for the transmission to Geneva. He is the only United States representative serving on the GPHG jury.

The ceremony, which is closely followed by enthusiasts abroad, is also broadcasting live for watch lovers in the United States via Tourneau.com.

About the GPHG

Created in 2001, GPHG has become the "Oscars" of the watch industry and is intended to salute the excellence of worldwide horological production, and annually rewards the finest creations and the most important figures in the watchmaking world. It thereby contributes to promoting horology and its prime values that are shared by the Banque Privée Edmond de Rothschild, the main partner of the GPHG Foundation.

The Prize

The trophy of the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix, the hand, is the symbol of skill and mastery, both key to all watchmaking trades. The inspiration for the trophy came from the fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo. It also symbolizes the memory and the passing on of knowledge.

The competing watch categories are as follows: Ladies', Men's, "Aiguille d'Or", Innovation, Jewelry & Artistic Crafts, Best Complicated, Sports, "La Petite Aiguille", and a Public Prize.

Watch Categories

"Aiguille d'Or" (Golden Hand) Grand Prix
- The best overall watch among all categories. It is the most prestigious distinction.

Innovation
- A horological creation featuring the most innovative research on a conceptual level.

Jewelry and Artistic Crafts
- An exceptional master of one or several of the following techniques: gem-setting, enameling, engraving, lacquering, and open-working.

Best Complicated
- A watch featuring at least one of the major complications: complete calendar, perpetual calendar, striking mechanism, tourbillon, split-second chronograph. The jury may choose to broaden this category to possible new complications presented in the competition.

Sports Watch
- A watch designed for the measurement or practice of sport, which is at least water-resistant (ISO standard 2281) and shock-resistant (ISO standard 1413).

"Petite Aiguille"
- This prize rewards a watch with a retail price of under 7,500 Swiss francs (close to 7,914 US dollars).

Public Prize

- This prize is awarded based on public votes as expressed during the exhibitions preceding the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix ceremony or from the GPHG website and partner sites.

The 2012 Jury

Sebastian Whitestone, specialist in antiquarian horology, director of Bobinet Ltd / United-Kingdom — Jury President

Dr. Rony Abi Nakhlé, collector, President of the Lebanese Canadian University / Lebanon

Carlos Alonso, publisher and editor-in-chief of Tiempo de Relojes and director of the Salon Internacional Alta Relojeria / Mexico

Jean-Philippe Arm, editor-in-chief of Watch Around / Switzerland

Aurel Bacs, international director of the watch department of Christie's / Switzerland

Gisbert Brunner, writer and freelance journalist specializing in horology / Germany

Elizabeth Doerr, freelance specialized watch journalist / Germany

Dominique Fléchon, historian and fine watchmaking expert with the Fondation de la haute horlogerie / Switzerland-France

Tomoko Kayama, editor-in-chief of World Wrist Watch (World Photo Press) / Japan

Sean Li, collector and editorial director of Revolution in Hong Kong / China

Marcel Philippe, collector, Assistant District Attorney for New York City / USA

Paola Pulla, editor-in-chief of Orologi-Le Misure del Tempo / Italy

Alexey Tarhanov, journalist for Kommersant magazine / Russia

2012 Winners

“Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix: TAG Heuer, Mikrogirder
Ladies’ Watch Prize: Chanel, Flying Tourbillon Première
Men’s Watch Prize: MB&F, Legacy Machine N°1
Innovation Watch Prize: HYT, H1 Titanium Black DLC
Jewellery and Artistic Crafts Watch Prize: Chopard, Imperiale Tourbillon Full Set
Best Complicated Watch Prize: Greubel Forsey, Invention Piece 2
Sports Watch Prize: Habring2, Doppel 2.0
“La Petite Aiguille” Watch Prize: Zenith, Pilot Big Date Special
Best Watchmaker Prize: Carole Forestier Kasapi
Special Jury Prize: Société Suisse de Chronométrie (SSC)