The prize-giving ceremony of the 8th Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix (Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève - GPHG) took place yesterday evening, Thursday the 13th of November, at the Grand Théâtre of Geneva, illuminated by Gerry Hostetter, in front of some 1500 guests. The most prestigious prize, the “Aiguille d’Or” (“Golden Hand”), was given this year to the watch by F.P. Journe: The Centigraph Souverain. This new chronograph conquered the hearts and minds of the jury.

With a dozen different prize categories, the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix honours the most creative watchmaking brands every year. Officially supported by the City and State of Geneva, the ceremony attracted the leading managers, journalists and aficionados of the watchmaking world. Presided by Pierre-François Unger, State Councillor, and Manuel Tornare, Mayor of Geneva, it was a not-to-be-missed event for international horology.

Adjudged by an international jury of recognized professionals (see the list on www.worldtempus.com), the prizes consecrate the winners of the following categories: Favourite Ladies’ Watch, Favourite Men’s Watch, Favourite Design Watch, Favourite Jewellery Watch, Favourite Watch with complication, Favourite Sports Watch, and Favourite Full Calendar Watch, as well as the Best Watchmaker Prize, the Jury’s Prize, the Public Prize and the “Golden Hand” Grand Prix.

The winning watches, in addition to all the other preselected timepieces, can be viewed until the 21st of November in the UBS Corraterie branch office in the centre of Geneva.

First row: Georges-Henri Meylan (Audemars Piguet), Jérôme Lambert (Jaeger-Lecoultre), Jean-Christophe Babin (TAG Heuer), François-Paul Journe (Montres Journe), Juan Carlos Torrès (Vacheron Constantin), Philippe Léopold-Metzger (Piaget), Marianne de Cocatrix (Miss Suisse Romande 2008)

Second row, from left to right: Giulio Papi (watchmaker), Fabienne Lupo (Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie), Martin Bachmann (Maurice Lacroix), Vincent Perriard (Concord), Glenn Thomkins (best student – first year, Ecole d'horlogerie de Genève).

List of the prize-winners of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève 2008

Grand Prix « l’Aiguille d’or » (Golden Hand Prize)

F.P. Journe, Centigraphe Souverain

Best Watchmaker Prize

Giulio Papi

Special Jury Prize

Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie

Favourite Ladies Watch

Piaget, Limelight Magic Hour

Favourite Men’s Watch
Vacheron Constantin, Titanium Soldat « Quai de l’Ile »

Favourite Design Watch

Concord, C1 Tourbillon Gravity

Favourite Jewellery Watch

Audemars Piguet, Millenary Pianoforte

Favourite Watch with complication

Jaeger-LeCoultre, Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2

Favourite Sports Watch

TAG Heuer, Grande Carrera Calibre 36 RS Caliper Chronographe

Favourite Full Calendar Watch

Audemars Piguet, Equation du Temps Squelette Jules Audemars

Public Prize

Maurice Lacroix, Starside Eternal Moon

Source: Philippe Perret du Cray, Worldtempus