A transparent look at the GPHG

On November 7^th, the jury of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) will announce the winners chosen from among the 84 watches pre-selected for this 19^th edition. Nineteen prizes will be handed out during the evening, including the “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix, the ultimate distinction and equivalent of “Best of Show” award. But how does the organisation of this Grand Prix actually work? Which new features should we expect? To found out more, we were welcomed to the Foundation’s new Geneva offices by Carine Maillard, director of this major watchmaking event.

For the past ten years or so, the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève has been steadily increasing its reach with each new edition, whether through the international exhibitions preceding the event, by broadcasting the awards ceremony on its partners’ networks or on its www.gphg.org website, as well as through its media coverage. Carine Maillard and her team work effectively and discreetly to foster this development. But let’s start at the beginning, namely the origins of this event, whose aim has always been to highlight the most remarkable creations in order to contribute to the worldwide influence of the watchmaking art.

History
Founded in 2001, the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève became a recognised public interest foundation in May 2011. It then set itself the goal of saluting the excellence of worldwide watchmaking productions and annually rewarding the best creations and the most outstanding players in the watch industry. The founding members are: the Republic and Canton of Geneva, the City of Geneva, the Musée international d’horlogerie in La Chaux-de-Fonds (MIH), the Geneva Laboratory of Watchmaking and Microtechnology (Timelab) and the Edipresse Group.

All the founding members, with the exception of the Edipresse Group, are currently represented on the Foundation Board, chaired by Raymond Loretan. In order to best serve the interests of the branch, the Foundation calls upon the expertise of an Advisory Committee representing the profession. The latter’s mission is to advise the Foundation, particularly with regard to the composition of the jury.

The Foundation was initially chaired by Carlo Lamprecht, who stepped down in January 2018 and was succeeded by Raymond Loretan. Enjoying close ties with business circles, this well-known figure in the world of politics and media also dedicates his diplomatic and international experience to serving the GPHG. A man of conviction and commitment, he has been pursuing the development of the institution at both national and global levels since his arrival.

Selection of timepieces
The process begins at the beginning of May when registration opens. Each watchmaking company wishing to participate in the competition sends its application file with the required documents and chooses the category in which it wants its model to compete. It is free to enter several watches, but a maximum of seven pieces.

Jury voting
Appointed by the Board of the GPHG Foundation, jury members take part in a first round of voting by secret ballot on the basis of the rich documentation (photos, videos, technical data sheets, etc.) provided on the competing watches (some 200 models were entered this year). They then select six timepieces for each category and rank them by order of preference. The votes are counted under the supervision of a notary public. This first round of voting thus makes it possible to select six watches in each of the 14 categories: these are the pre-selected models that will subsequently participate in the competition and the roadshow exhibitions.

Once again supervised by the notary public, the second round of voting sees the jurors meet behind closed doors in Geneva, a few days before the prize-giving ceremony. They spend an entire day voting on the pre-selected watches which are by then on-site, and award them marks. This second step makes it possible to define the winning watches in each category. In the event of a tie, the vote of the Jury’s President, Aurel Bacs, counts double. Even though the Foundation’s members are present on this day, they are at no time aware of how the votes have been cast, since they are held by secret ballot and counted by the notary public.

The jury then votes on the “Aiguillle d’Or” Grand Prix. First, each juror designates the watches they consider most deserving of this award from among all the pre-selected timepieces. These are listed and a discussion follows, enabling everyone to express their opinion, if they so wish. A first vote is case by secret ballot, to define six finalist watches among the listed watches, after which the result is announced by the notary public. A discussion follows, and then a second round of voting, again by secret ballot, to determine the winner from among the six finalists. The results are kept secret. The jury will only discover them at the prize-giving ceremony. The watch that wins the “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix is no longer taken into account in the category in which it was initially competing.

For the Innovation, Audacity and “Horological Revelation” prizes, the process is the same as for the “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix: proposals, discussions, secret ballot.

Designed to reward a personality, institution or initiative that has played a fundamental role in promoting quality watchmaking, the Special Jury Prize cannot be awarded to a watch or a brand as such. This distinction has for example already been awarded to Jean-Claude Biver last year, Anita Porchet and Suzanne Rohr, Philippe Dufour and the Swiss Chronometry Society (SSC)... This list is of course far from exhaustive. The jury both proposes and votes.

The Foundation regularly develops and renews the different categories at the competition, for example with the creation of the Challenge, Diver’s Watch and Iconic Watch categories. This diversification is based on multiple factors and observed trends.

Who are the jurors?
The international and multidisciplinary jury is appointed each year by the Foundation. In order to guarantee its balance, it is composed of people from the sector and from a wide variety of backgrounds (experts, collectors, journalists, historians, retailers, etc.). It is renewed in a proportion of about 20 to 25% for each new edition. It should also be noted that the CEO of the brand that won the Aiguille d’Or “Grand Prix” in any given year automatically sits on the jury for the next edition.

The diversity of this group and the voting system ensure the neutrality of the GPHG. Each member is bound by the strictest confidentiality. Carine Maillard tells us that the jury meetings take place in a friendly atmosphere, centred around genuine debates and discussions, with all members sharing ideas with their peers before voting in secret, according to the dictates of their own conscience.

For whom is the GPHG intended?
All watchmaking companies, regardless of nationality, are allowed to submit entries provided that the models in question have been commercialised within the deadlines defined in the GPHG regulations. For 2019, all watches commercialised after March 2018 and at the latest by the end of October 2019 were eligible to participate.

The brand itself decides the category in which it enters a model. However, the compliance of their entries with the GPHG rules is verified by the jury commissioner, Régis Huguenin-Dumittan, curator of the MIH, who may suggest possible changes of category. In the end, it is the brand that decides the category in which it wants its watch to compete.

Participating brands represent both large groups (LVMH, Richemont, Swatch Group) and independent watchmakers. Nonetheless, certain names remain consciously absent, such as Rolex or some companies belonging to the Swatch Group or the Richemont group.

Roadshows
Initiated with the aim of promoting among an international audience the art of watchmaking, the expertise involved in its skills and the vitality of the entire watch industry, the yearly exhibitions presenting pre-selected timepieces are great opportunities for watchmaking companies to showcase their contemporary models around the world during exceptional events. In addition to the exhibition open to the public, the Foundation also organises – with the support of local partners, embassies or its main sponsor – private dinners with Haute Horlogerie enthusiasts, collectors and end customers.

This year, Carine Maillard and her team began the tour in Sydney where the exhibition was held in the heart of The Hour Glass on King Street after an opening night at the Cruise Bar, opposite the iconic Sydney Opera House. It continued its journey in Bangkok, still in partnership with the same distributor (PMT The Hour Glass). Exclusive events were also held in parallel with the opening of the exhibition to the public. Then came a change of continent and the arrival in Mexico City as part of the SIAR (Salón Internacional Alta Relojería) watch show. After that, the watches set off for the Museo Internacional del Barroco in Puebla and ended their trip with a more specifically targeted presentation at Torre Joyas. As it does each year, the roadshow will wind up in Geneva with a large multifaceted exhibition intended for the general public. The prize-winning timepieces will still be on display at Dubai Watch Week.

In 2019, the exhibition will once again be held at the heart of the Musée d’art et d’histoire (MAH) in Geneva from November 1st to 14th. In addition to the nominated watches, the museum will display treasures from its watch collections. It will also be possible to take part in workshops enabling participants to learn all about dismantling and reassembling a movement. Students from the HEAD, Geneva School of Art and Design will also participate in this stellar event by presenting the work of the students of the Chair in Watch Design. All visitors are welcome, as are the Grand Prix partners who generally take advantage of this event to organise guided tours of the exhibition enhanced by “watchmaking initiation” sessions. The latter are always well received by novices in this field or schools who see it as a way of informing their students about watchmaking-related jobs.

GPHG media coverage
The prize-giving ceremony, which has become a must-see event, often referred to as the watch industry Oscars, is broadcast live on the Foundation’s website and on the channels of the various partners (Worldtempus, Watchonista, Hodinkee, Watchtime, etc.). The Léman bleu television channel also covers the event. Thousands of people – whether nearby or at the other end of the world – follow this key watchmaking moment. In recent years, the Euronews television channel has been actively participating in the event. Specialised magazines devote numerous articles to exhibitions held as part of the roadshow tour as well as the prize-giving ceremony.

In the age of instantaneous information, GPHG offers the media and watch brands a digital platform (Media Center ) giving them real-time access – during all events including the prize-giving ceremony – to photo, video and CEO interviews, etc. This responsiveness provides the media as well as the prize-winning brands with the information required for their own communication.

Funding the GPHG
The Republic and Canton of Geneva, as well as the City of Geneva, provide financial support for this event, in parallel with private partners. Indeed, in order to guarantee its complete independence, the non-profit Foundation does not receive any funding from the watchmaking branch except for the brands’ entry and participation fees. Fundraising outside this industry is therefore crucial.

GPHG Gala Dinner
This highlight of the year could not end without a dedicated evening, organised in the Kempinski Hotel which shares a rooftop with the Théâtre du Léman where the event takes place. The participating companies are thus given the opportunity to celebrate watchmaking excellence, surrounded by friends, ambassadors and personnel.

New features for 2020
Next year, the GPHG will be celebrating its 20th edition. Carine Maillard shared with us the new features being prepared for this anniversary. The main innovation is the creation of an Academy bringing together some 500 people from different backgrounds, all passionate by nature and actively involved in the watchmaking industry. Operating on the principle of the Oscars or the French César film awards, this broad-scale project will imply a complete paradigm shift in terms of voting as well as identifying and selecting watches. While brands will continue to enter their models, academy members will in parallel be able to submit their choices to the Foundation. They will also take part in voting.

Another upcoming new feature is that the watches having won the Best in Show award – the“Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix – at one the 19 editions of the GPHG will be the subject of a special exhibition to be presented at Watches & Wonders Geneva and at Baselworld.

And you, Carine Maillard, who are you?
Since 2011, Carine Maillard has been Director of the Foundation of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. After studying art history at the University of Geneva, she collaborated in organising exhibitions for the Musée d’art et d’histoire (MAH), a contribution that led her to the GPHG. Carine not only appreciates every aspect of timepieces, but also the entire range of events related to the GPHG. A naturally smiling, communicative and highly motivated individual, Carine Maillard perfectly fulfils her role as director of this major watchmaking event.

Before concluding this interview, we asked Carine Maillard if she had a particular wish for the Grand Prix? She naturally wants it to develop, she says, and future projects, including the creation of an Academy, are moving in this direction.

October 24, 2019