On Saturday, November 7, the watch world turns its attention to Geneva. The Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève, often described as the Oscars of watchmaking, returns for its 26th edition with 84 nominated watches competing across 19 prize categories. The most coveted of them all is the Aiguille d'Or Grand Prix, the "Best in Show" prize.
This year, the ceremony will be conducted entirely in English, a first that reflects the GPHG's growing global audience and a push towards greater accessibility.
The finalists have already been on the road, with stops in Mumbai and Bangkok before the final stage in Geneva. Once the awards are done, Watches of Switzerland will present them at its Knightsbridge showroom in London, with an invite-only preview on November 18. The exhibition opens to the public from November 19 to 23, giving enthusiasts a chance to see the nominees up close.
With only days to go, anticipation is high among brands, collectors and enthusiasts alike. Whether you are rooting for an independent maker or a heritage house, set a reminder: the winners will be revealed on the night of November 7.
The ceremony will be livestreamed free on gphg.org. The winners will be announced at Geneva's Bâtiment des Forces Motrices from 6:30pm CET, which is 11:00 pm IST in India and 12:30 pm ET in the United States. Viewers in Mumbai should settle in for a late night.
The categories have been reorganised, too. Instead of separate prizes for men's and women's watches, the competition now groups entries by the characteristics and types of the watches themselves. It is part of a broader evolution that acknowledges the diversity of contemporary watchmaking.
A 24-member jury of journalists, collectors and industry figures will gather in Geneva to examine the finalists hands-on, debate them and cast their votes. Their verdict accounts for two-thirds of the final result. Ranked choices from the GPHG Academy make up the remaining third.