Rexhep Rexhepi Takes Top Honours at GPHG 2026 – All the Winners

This year's edition of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) has been decided, and independent watchmaker Rexhep Rexhepi took home the evening's most prestigious award, the Aiguille d’Or. His Chronograph Flyback was honored with perhaps the watch world's most coveted prize on an evening where Audemars Piguet, Blancpain, Chopard and Grand Seiko were also among the winners.

On November 7, the watch industry gathered in Geneva for the 26th edition of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, often described as the watch world's equivalent of the Oscars. During the ceremony, this year's most outstanding watches were recognized in everything from traditional watchmaking and advanced complications to innovative design and artistic craftsmanship.

The evening's big winner was Rexhep Rexhepi, whose Chronograph Flyback, reference RRCHF, was awarded the Aiguille d’Or Grand Prix. The award is considered GPHG's top prize and goes to the watch that the jury considers to be the most significant creation of the year.

Rexhep Rexhepi consolidates his position

Rexhep Rexhepi taking home this year's highest honor is yet another recognition of one of the independent watch world's most acclaimed watchmakers. Rexhepi founded Akrivia in 2012 and has since built an international reputation through a clear focus on traditional manufacturing methods, advanced mechanics and exceptional finishing.

The award-winning Chronograph Flyback was presented earlier in 2026 and is his first chronograph with a flyback function. The model features a completely newly developed manual movement with an integrated chronograph, column wheel, horizontal clutch and jumping minute counter. The case measures 38.8 millimeters in diameter and only 9.7 millimeters in height. The watch is offered in platinum with a blue Grand Feu enameled dial or in rose gold with a black dial. The movement consists of 320 components and offers a 72-hour power reserve.

With a price tag of 150,000 Swiss francs and very limited production, the Chronograph Flyback is already an exclusive creation. The fact that the model is now being rewarded with the Aiguille d’Or will hardly diminish interest among collectors.

Audemars Piguet, Grand Seiko, Blancpain and Ferdinand Berthoud among the winners

Among the evening's other winners was Audemars Piguet, which was rewarded with the Iconic Watch Prize for its technically advanced Royal Oak RD#5. The model combines a flying tourbillon with a chronograph in a format that shows how far the manufacturer has developed its iconic Royal Oak.

Blancpain took home the prize in the Mechanical Exception category, while Ferdinand Berthoud was rewarded in two categories. Chronomètre FB 2TV won the Tourbillon Prize and Naissance d’une Montre 3 was awarded the Chronometry Prize.

Grand Seiko also had reason to celebrate. The manufacturer's Spring Drive U.F.A. Ushio 300 Diver was named sports watch of the year, showing that Japanese watchmaking continues to assert itself in competition with the Swiss manufacturers.

A strong year for independent watchmaking

This year's results once again show the importance that independent watchmakers have gained within the exclusive watch industry. Rexhep Rexhepi's victory is the clearest example, but also names like Ferdinand Berthoud, Konstantin Chaykin and Dominique Renaud were recognized for their technical and creative achievements.

At the same time, the established manufacturers continue to impress. Audemars Piguet was rewarded in two categories and Chopard also took home two prizes, while Patek Philippe was awarded the jury's special prize for its Watch Art Grand Exhibition and work in spreading knowledge about the history and craftsmanship of watchmaking.

GPHG 2026 thus became an evening that both celebrated traditional watchmaking and demonstrated the industry's continued technical development. Above all, this year's results underscored that the most interesting innovations do not necessarily come from the largest manufacturers.

For Rexhep Rexhepi, the victory means another milestone in an already acclaimed career – and clear proof that uncompromising craftsmanship still holds a central place at the highest level of modern watchmaking.

Read more on the GPHG website