Grand Prix D’Horlogerie de Geneve 2009
Hublot’s stunning One Million Dollar Black Caviar Bang took out the jewelery award.
The highlight of the Watch season in Geneva is undeniably the annual Grand Prix D’Horlogerie and the accompanying presentation of the Grand Prix award. I was most fortunate to attend this year’s event, held at the Grand Theatre on the rather damp evening of the 14th November. The positively dazzling line-up of watches on show ensured the evening would be one to remember and promised more than one surprise on the night.
Certainly I was in good company with Geneva’s social elite arriving by Bentley, Ferrari and taxi. Whilst pleasantries were exchanged we all knew what we really were here for and so by 18:30 everyone was seated for the prize giving.
Piaget’s Limelight Twice took home the Women’s award.
The Grand Theatre is an imposing classical building from the outside, but once inside it is an older building that has been brought into the 21st century with excellent acoustics. We settled into our seats on the second tier, a nice box with a good view of the stage and the musical entertainment.
The presentations themselves were a slightly amateur affair. Whilst there was always a beautiful man and woman on hand to present the prizes, it didn’t really flow very well. In addition, the stream of politicians giving speeches about how important the watch business is to Geneva became quite tedious. Nonetheless, as they support the whole show I guess this really cannot be avoided.
Greubel Forsey’s mind blowing Double Tourbillon Technique was given the award for complicated watches.
The awards themselves recognize the achievements of watches presented in a range of categories as voted on by a jury. The 2009 winners were:
Sports Watch – Richard Mille – RM 025
Man’s Watch – Audemars Piquet – Jules Audemars
Woman’s Watch – Piaget – Limelight Twice
Design Watch – Harry Winston – Opus 9
Complicated – Greubel Forsey – Double Tourbillon Technique
Jewelry – Hublot – 1 Million $ Black Caviar Bang
Public Prize – de Grisogono – Mecanique dG
Aiguille d’Or – Lange & Sohne – Lange Zeitwerk
All in all it was wonderful evening flush with beautiful people, stunning watches and flashing cameras. All I can say is bring on next year!
For the full story and additional photos check out the official website.
3 Responses
to “Grand Prix D’Horlogerie de Geneve 2009”
|
|
search the watch lounge
enter your email to get updates in your inbox
Latest Comments
- Brenda Lehman: Today is the first I’ve heard about Rafa’s watch being stolen. Give...
- Deonte: where or how can i buy????????????
- Olivier Muller: Dear Phee, I just had Daniel on the phone this morning. He is away now and will...
Wrong Piaget choice for the women’s watch imho
Should have picked this one http://www.geekwatches.com/piaget/piaget-tropical-seas-altiplano-in-coral-motif
Hmmm, I’m not sure. I quite like the alternative you have put forward but I’m not convinced that either one actually deserved to win the award…I thought there were a couple of other, stronger contenders to be honest. But hey, that’s the way it goes
I don’t pay much attention to women’s watches but I’m a bit over totally blinged out watches dominating and the one that I suggested is actually one of the few that I can stomach