The Oscars of watchmaking: Who decides which watches deserve to win?
From the judging process to the seven watches that caught our attention, here’s a closer look at the GPHG 2026, with two Singaporeans among this year’s jurors.
The Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève, or GPHG, is a prestigious watchmaking award ceremony held annually in November. This year's event will take place on November 7. The GPHG aims to recognize watches as creative and cultural objects, rather than merely expensive accessories. A victory can boost a watchmaker's prestige, visibility, and potentially increase sales and secondary market prices.
This year, the GPHG jury includes two Singaporeans, Wei Koh and Michael Tay. The Academy, comprising over 1,000 industry experts, proposes candidates, while participating brands submit their watches and pay fees for participation. The GPHG has expanded to include 14 categories, with the coveted Aiguille d'Or Grand Prix serving as the Best Picture equivalent.
The final result is determined by a combination of scores from the jury and Academy, with no brand allowed to win more than two awards. The GPHG's influence extends beyond Geneva, with the nominated timepieces traveling to cities like Mumbai, Bangkok, London, Dubai, Istanbul, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
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