Last night, after weeks or maybe months of build-up – it’s hard to tell these days – the results of the 2023 GPHG, the so-called Oscars of Watchmaking were announced. As ever there was plenty of pomp, ceremony and about as many upsets as there were sure things. So, without too much preamble, let’s jump straight into the winners from the evening. Who knows? There may even be some watches on there you’ve not come across before.
Of course, prestigious as the GPHG is, it’s nothing compared to the Oracle Time Watch Awards 2023. Voting’s now closed, but stay on the edge of the seats for the results, coming first to our December print edition. To be the first to find out, subscribe to the magazine here. For now though, the silver medallist of annual awards, the GPHG.
Aiguille D’Or Grand Prix: Audemars Piguet Code 11:59 Universelle RD#4
The overall winner of the awards, the gold medal, went to Audemars Piguet’s insane ultra-complication, the Universelle RD#4 with its insane 23 complications. There’s little doubt that this deserves some serious recognition.
Men’s Complication: Voutilainen World Timer
Above and beyond your ‘standard’ worldtimer, Voutilainen’s effort doesn’t just incorporate plenty of the watchmakers legendary finishing (just look at that dial) but does so in a distinctly modern way. It’s not the most complicated complication out there, but it’s done impeccably.
Iconic Watch Prize: Ulysse Nardin Freak One
There’s no argument about it, the Freak is an icon of modern watchmaking. Just check out our interview with its creator if you don’t believe us. It not only introduced a certain breed of Avant Garde watchmaking, but it introduced silicon to the watch world. And as the Freak One is essentially a greatest hits of the collection, there are few watches more iconic, even in a year of icons like the IWC Ingenieur.
Petite Aiguille Prize: Christopher Ward C1 Bel Canto
Essentially the People’s Choice award, it’s more than gratifying to see the British contingent scoring big with the phenomenal Bel Canto. If this didn’t win at least one category, there would have been no justice in the world. The novel approach to modular watchmaking that turned a jumping hours into an hourly chime took the world by storm at the beginning of the year and as their waiting lists show, the hunger for something this cool in concept and looks hasn’t yet died down.
Chronograph Watch Prize: Petermann Bédat Chronograph Rattrapante
The most complicated form of chronograph, the Rattrapante – or split seconds chronograph – is a superlative piece of watchmaking, made even more impressive as the sophomore effort by watchmaking duo Gaël Petermann & Florian Bédat. It has everything a serious independent watch should want – pay attention to this brand.
Tourbillon Watch Prize: Laurent Ferrier Grand Sport Tourbillon Pursuit
There’s something incredibly satisfying that the tourbillon of the year is one where said complication is completely hidden inside the watch. No showiness here, just an absolutely gorgeous version of Laurent Ferrier’s pebble-smooth Grand Sport, just with an invisible haute horological twist to the movement.
Full Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) Results 2023
“Aiguille D’Or” Grand Prix: Audemars Piguet Code 11:59 Universelle RD#4
Ladies’ Watch Prize: Piaget Hidden Treasures
Ladies’ Complication Watch Prize: Dior Montres Grand Soir Automate Etoile de Monsieur Dior
Men’s Complication: Voutilainen World Timer
Iconic Watch Prize: Ulysse Nardin Freak One
Tourbillon Watch Prize: Laurent Ferrier Grand Sport Tourbillon Pursuit
Calendar and Astronomy Watch Prize: Bovet 1822 Récital 20 Astérium
Chronograph Watch Prize: Petermann Bédat Chronograph Rattrapante
Sports Watch: Tudor Pelagos 39
Jewellery Watch Prize: Bulgari Serpenti Cleopatra
Artistic Crafts Watch Prize: Piaget Altiplano Métiers d’Art Undulata
“Petite Aiguille” Prize: Christopher Ward C1 Bel Canto
Challenge Watch Prize: Raymond Weil Millésime automatic small seconds
Mechanical Clock Prize: L’Epee 1839 Time Fast II Chrome
Chronometry Prize: Ferdinand Berthoud Chronomètre FB 3SPC
“Horological Revelation” Prize: Simon Brette Chronomètre Artisans
Audacity Prize: Maison Alcée Persée Azur
Innovation Prize: Hautlence Sphere Series 1
Special Jury Prize: Svend Andersen and Vincent Calabrese
More details at GPHG.
