Between the exhibition of pre-selected watches held in Seoul, Rome and Geneva, followed by a Dubai showing of the winning watches, the watch industry Oscars sparkled brightly at the prizegiving ceremony held in Geneva’s Théâtre du Léman on November 10th. Alternating between the emotional acceptance speeches from the winners and the humorous comments by the presenters Frédéric Beigbeder and Gaspard Proust, now well accustomed to their role, the evening brought a number of highlights interspersed with artistic interludes provided by the students of the HEAD Geneva University of Art and Design. Representing the crowning moment of these awards eagerly anticipated by the entire watchmaking sector, the supreme distinction brought a surprise and was awarded to the Ferdinand Berthoud brand revived by Karl- Friedrich Scheufele just one year ago. Appearing on stage, the co-president of Chopard (which owns the company that won this 2016 “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix) admitted he was the first to he astonished by this swift sign of recognition. Girard-Perregaux and Piaget also deserve a special mention, since the jury of 26 international experts awarded each of them two separate prizes. Many of the 1,300 guests continued the evening at the official After Party organized by GMT and WorldTempus (pictured hereafter).

2016 PRIZE LIST

• “AIGUILLE D’OR” GRAND PRIX
  Ferdinand Berthoud, Chronomètre Ferdinand Berthoud FB 1
• LADIES’ WATCH PRIZE
  Piaget, Limelight Gala Milanese Bracelet
• LADIES’ HIGH-MECH PRIZE
  Girard-Perregaux, Cat’s Eye Tourbillon with Gold Bridge
• MEN’S WATCH PRIZE
  Grönefeld, 1941 Remontoire
• CHRONOGRAPH WATCH PRIZE
  Montblanc, 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Limited Edition
• TOURBILLON WATCH PRIZE
  Girard-Perregaux, La Esmeralda Tourbillon
• CALENDAR WATCH PRIZE
  MB&F, Legacy Machine Perpetual
• TRAVEL TIME WATCH PRIZE
  Fabergé, Fabergé Visionnaire DTZ
• MECHANICAL EXCEPTION PRIZE
  Audemars Piguet, Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie
• “PETITE AIGUILLE” PRIZE
  Tudor, Heritage Black Bay Bronze
• SPORTS WATCH PRIZE
  Eberhard & Co, Scafograf 300
• JEWELLERY WATCH PRIZE
  Chanel, Secret Watch “Signature Grenat”
• ARTISTIC CRAFTS WATCH PRIZE
  Piaget, Protocole XXL “Secrets & Lights” Venice Micro-Mosaic
• “REVIVAL” WATCH PRIZE
  TAG Heuer, Heuer Monza Chronographe
• SPECIAL JURY PRIZE
  The George Daniels Educational Trust
• PUBLIC PRIZE TO
  Czapek Genève, 33 bis Quai des Bergues