As you probably already know, each year in November the big awards ceremony is held for the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix. An unmissable event aimed at rewarding the most accomplished creations, in various categories. Just like the previous year, 2022 was a very fine vintage, orchestrated by a jury composed of 29 personalities, including Georges Bamford, Jean-Claude Biver, and Laurent Picciotto. Here are our 10 favorites of the GPHG 2022 !
Aiguille d’Or Grand Prix: MB&F Legacy Machine Sequential Evo
We are starting very strong, with the most prestigious award from the GPHG, and the least we can say is that the result is deserved. With the Legacy Machine Sequential Evo, MB&F offers a UFO with two chronographs completely independent and equipped with catch-up, sequential and cumulative modes. Never seen ! Price : CHF172,000
Men’s Watch Prize: Atelier Akrivia Contemporary Chronometer II
Akrivia and its Chronomètre Contemporain II succeed Grand Seiko and its White Birch in one of the most symbolic categories of the GPHG. A deserved result for a creation combining elegance, tradition, finesse and mechanics. Already a winner in this same category in 2018, the young brand celebrating its 10th anniversary this year never ceases to surprise. Price : CHF125,000
Complication Prize for Men: Hermès Arceau Le temps voyageur
Among Audemars Piguet, Bovet, Singer Reimagined or Parmigiani Fleurier, it is indeed Hermès who walks away with the trophy for men’s complications. With its display of 24 time zones through a circular disc and a moving counterthis Arceau “Le temps voyageur” model is a real balanced innovation. Price : CHF26,850
Iconic Watch Prize: TAG Heuer Monaco X Gulf
Make way for one of the categories in which the competition was the toughest. Between the Royal Oak, the Navitimer or even the Big Pilot, it is the Monaco of TAG Heuer which imposes itself. A great reward that honors one of the the most legendary chronographs of the watchmaking landscape, but also a historic partnership between the Swiss brand and the Gulf house. Price : 7,150€
Tourbillon Prize: H. Moser & Cie Pioneer Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton
Another section where the list of nominees made our heads spin. And it is a house that we particularly appreciate that wins the statuette. H. Moser & Cie is ahead of Audemars Piguet, Grand Seiko and Greubel Forsey with its Pioneer Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton, a spectacular equipped with a three-dimensional movement. Price : CHF79,000
Calendar and Astronomy Prize: Krayon Anywhere
We would hardly have seen a better winner than Krayon in this category. Remember, we mentioned the creation of Remi Maillat during the 2021 edition of the Only Watch auction. After winning the watchmaking innovation prize in 2018, he completes his prize list with this new distinction. The Anywhere model is a real technical and poetic prowess indicating theexact time of sunrise and sunset. Price : CHF125,000
Diving Watch Prize: Tudor Pelagos FXD
Although Tudor is one of the “little houses” nominated at the GPHG, it is becoming a regular at the awards. Winner in 2016, 2017 and 2021, Rolex’s little sister does it again and wins the diver’s watch prize. A well-deserved reward for the Pelagos FXD, a creation that marks the return of its historic partnership with the French Navy. Price : 3,650€
Petite Aiguille Prize: Fantastic Night Trilobe Dune Edition
Created only 4 years ago, Trilobe continues to surprise us with its approach and its success. This summer, we met its Managing Director, Volcy Boch, and now La Nuit Fantastique won the prestigious Petite Aiguille prize. A deserved distinction for a creation revisiting the time display through three rotating rings replacing the needles. Price : 9,800€
Chronometry Prize: Grand Seiko Constant-force Tourbillon
After winning the Men’s Watch of the Year award at the previous edition of the GPHG, Grand Seiko is doing it again and once again making a name for itself among a very European audience. The Kodo Constant-force, everything first tourbillon produced by the house Japanese, is a condensed innovation and technicality offering a record precision. Price : 370,000€
Prize for Audacity: Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra 10th Anniversary
Let’s end our selection with a more singular category that rewards the most daring creations. Bulgari stands out this year with its Octo Finissimo Ultra 10th Anniversary. Recognized for the thinness of its casethis edition is distinguished by its dial/movement engraved with a QR code giving access to a NFT. Price : CHF427,000
