Strong Line-up In the Pre-Selection Of the 2019 GPHG
The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) has announced its pre-selection for its 2019 edition. It proves to be once again an exciting year, as many of the categories have plenty imposing watches in them, which will make it not easy for the jury to pick the winner.
In the category of ‘Ladies watches’ is the new generation of the Chanel J12 taking on watches by Hermes, Bvlgari, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Moritz Grossmann. Also the stunning Hublot Classic Fusion Orlinski Titanium Alternative Pave is selected in this category. Also very interesting is the ‘Ladies complication’ category, which shows how far complicated ladies watches have come. The pre-selected watches here include, among others, Louis Vuitton beautiful Tambour Spin Time with a pave setting, Jacob & Co’s Fleurs de Jardin, but also Bvlgari’s Diva’s Dream ‘The Roman Night,’ a stunning mystery watch. One of the most talked-about ladies watches of this year, the MB&F Legacy Machine FlyingT is also a contender in this category.
Quite surprising is also the ‘Men’s category.’ This is traditionally a category in which the heavy hitters participate, and this year five of the six pre-selected watches are from independents. Only the Grand Seiko Spring Drive in platinum comes from a larger group. The category for ‘Men’s complication’ will also prove to be particularly challenging for the jury, with many impressive watches who want to win. We predict an especially hard battle between the Ulysse Nardin Freak X and the Zenith Defy El Primero Double Tourbillon.
This years edition also comes with two new categories; that of best ‘Iconic watch’ and best ‘Diver’s watch.’ Especially the first might be one of the most trickiest for the jury to decide on. How can you possibly choose between Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak, TAG Heuer’s Monaco and the Zenith El Primero A384 Revival, with IWC’s Tribute to Pallweber making things even more complicated?
Interesting to note is also that less traditional case materials are becoming more of a staple. This becomes especially clear in the ‘Chronograph’ category. Here no room for conventional stainless steel or gold watches, as three of the competing watches are crafted from titanium, while two feature a case made from carbon. TAG Heuer even combined the two and fitted its Carrera Tourbillon Nanograph with a titanium case and a carbon fiber bezel.
Which of the pre-selected watches will win their category will be announced on Thursday, November 7th, 2019, when the official awards ceremony of the 19th GPHG will take place in the Théâtre du Léman in Geneva. Before that time, the 84 pre-selected watches will travel around the world, to cities on four continents to be admired by the public. While winning is important for the individual watches and their makers, is the GPHG as a whole an ode to fine watchmaking, with as a goal to further spread the love and passion for it.
