GPHG done: Balloon-filled anniversary in corona-adapted Geneva
The academy for the GPHG handed out 19 prizes last night at the Théâtre du Léman in front of a hall filled with balloons (some with eyes) instead of industry people. Eqotime's Britta Rossander took part remotely.
Text: Britta Rossander
The GPHG Academy handed out 19 prizes last night at the Théâtre du Léman in front of a hall filled with balloons (some with eyes) instead of industry people. It was of course dreary to have to sit in front of the computer and watch as the winners received prizes and tore off their face masks (with the GPHG logo) when they were going to give acceptance speeches. The whole element of surprise was gone since it was only the winning brands' representatives in the hall. No spontaneous applause, nobody who stood up and cheered… a bit difficult for a balloon. It must have felt spiritless for the organisation now that it was even the 20th anniversary.
No sensations
No sensations among the prize winners and that the ”Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix went to Piaget for the Altiplano Ultimate Concept watch was in my opinion well deserved. That the prize for Iconic watch went to Bvlgari was however not entirely the right choice in my eyes. The other brands that got to go up on stage were: Bovet 1822, Breitling x 2, Charles Girardier, Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud, H. Moser & Cie x 2, Greubel Forsey, Parmigiani Fleurier, Petermann Bédat, Tudor, Van Cleef & Arpels x 2, Vacheron Constantin and Voutilainen.
The jury's prize of honour went to Antoine Simonin, watchmaker, teacher, editor and former head of the WOSTEP Foundation. The prize was given for long and faithful service, which was entirely right. He has devoted his whole adult life (60 years) to movements and was a worthy winner. And to also get to see a noticeably proud and slightly moved Georges Kern receiving two prizes for Breitling was fun.
The whole prize list!
“Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix: Piaget, Altiplano Ultimate Concept
Ladies’ Watch: Bovet 1822, Miss Audrey
Ladies’ Complication Watch: Charles Girardier, Tourbillon Signature Mystérieuse « fleur de sel »
Men’s Watch: Voutilainen, 28SC
Men’s Complication Watch: Greubel Forsey, Hand Made 1
Iconic Watch: Bulgari, Aluminium Chronograph
Chronometry Watch: Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud, FB 2RE.2
Calendar and Astronomy Watch: Vacheron Constantin, Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin Skeleton
Mechanical Exception: Bovet 1822, Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter 2
Chronograph Watch: H. Moser & Cie, Streamliner Flyback Chronograph Automatic
Diver’s Watch: Breitling, Superocean Automatic 48 Boutique Edition
Jewellery Watch: Van Cleef & Arpels, Frivole Secrète watch
Artistic Crafts Watch: Van Cleef & Arpels, Lady Arpels Soleil Féerique
“Petite Aiguille”: Breitling, Superocean Heritage ’57 Limited Edition II
Challenge Watch: Tudor, Black Bay Fifty-Eight
Innovation Prize: Parmigiani Fleurier, Hijri Perpetual Calendar
