Andrew McUtchen
Congratulations to Breguet, who, on Friday October the 31st took out watchmaking’s top prize, the ‘Aiguille d'Or’ (‘golden hand’ in French) at the?14th Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve (GPHG) for the Classique Chronometrie. Champagne!The Breguet Classique Chronometrie: “It is absolutely insane,” says Forbes.This 14th edition of the GPHG had record levels of participation with representation from all the major watchmaking groups as well as a number of independents.?There are multiple categories, but the hand of the king, sorry (too much Game of Thrones) the golden hand, is reserved for the what is judged to be the best?watch across all categories. The Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann officially presented this prize on-stage, taking the moment to?praise “the vitality of the Swiss watch industry.”You can tell this guy was excited. The GPHG was Jointly hosted by Melanie Winiger and Frederic Beigbeder, the ceremony was attended by around 1,500 guests.The GPHG was established in 2001 as a way to showcase the best of the luxury watch industry. While it is based in Geneva, the competition is open to?watches made all over the world.?Winners are chosen by a 25-person jury?that consists of watchmakers, journalists, designers, watch collectors, auctioneers and retailers. And John Mayer, who is often touted as celebrity-land’s watch geek.Pic by breguet.watchprosite The Classique Chronometrie was not a controversial choice; to quote Forbes, “it is absolutely insane.” From the outside it’s?vintage Breguet, with many hallmarks including a?guilloche dial and open-tipped ‘Breguet hands’ that are actually named for the French watchmaker. The hint that there is a modern twist lies in the racy italicized ’10 Hz’ under the nameplate and in the patent declaration visible through the clear case back.Classically handsome looks on the outside but some serious technological watchmaking brawn under the dial where magnets are used in the endstones of the balance staff keeping it in place and pulling it back upright when it is displaced by shocks. The balance staff actually ‘floats’ at the bottom, as you can see in this pic.The watch?beats at an astonishing 10 Hz – more than twice the speed of most watches.Breguet’s ongoing tradition of innovation is clearly alive and well!GPHG 2014 WinnersAiguille d'Or Grand Prix:?Breguet, Classique ChronometrieLadies' Watch Prize:?Blancpain, Women Off-centred HourLadies' High-Mech Watch Prize:?Christophe Claret, MargotMen's Watch Prize:?Urban Jurgensen & Sonner, Central SecondChronograph Watch Prize:?De Bethune, DB29 Maxichrono TourbillonTourbillon Watch Prize:?Gr?nefeld, Parallax TourbillonCalendar Watch Prize:?A. Lange & S?hne, Richard Lange Perpetual Calendar “Terraluna”Striking Watch Prize:?Hublot, Classic Fusion Cathedral Tourbillon Minute RepeaterMechanical Exception Watch Prize:?Urwerk, EMCPetite Aiguille Prize:?Seiko, Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 GMTSports Watch Prize:?Zenith, El Primero Lightweight?Jewellery Watch Prize:?Bulgari, Diva High Jewellery EmeraldsArtistic Crafts Watch Prize:?Voutilainen, HisuiRevival Watch Prize:?Omega, Speedmaster “Dark Side Of The Moon”Innovation Watch Prize:?Urwerk, EMCSpecial Jury Prize:?Walter LangePublic Prize (people’s choice=):?Breguet, Classique Dame.
02.11.14