The prize-winners of the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève 2008

14 november 2008 - source Editpresse Luxe

November 14, 2008 - Edipresse Luxe

Premier rang : 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)

Deuxième rang, de gauche à droite: Giulio Papi (horloger concepteur), Fabienne Lupo (Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie), Martin Bachmann (Maurice Lacroix), Vincent Perriard (Concord), Glenn Thomkins (meilleur élève de première année de l'école d'horlogerie de Genève).

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, in front of a crowd of more than 1500 guests, 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.

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, 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

For any further information regarding the prize-winners, the jury members, the rules and the sponsors of the GPHG, please consult www.worldtempus.com

The prize-giving ceremony of the 8th Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix took place on November 13, at the Grand Théâtre of Geneva, illuminated by Gerry Hostetter.