Post Contents:
The GPHG Awards 2025 took place on 13 November, which is known as the Oscars of Watchmaking, where some of the biggest watchmaking names in the horological industry compete in many various categories, including the most prized prize, the Aiguille d’Or Grand Prix.
Just under a month ago, we also made predictions on who would pick up each award, so we will be acknowledging each award winner along with the predictions we made. The way this winners' list is structured is through the same structuring of the winner's list on GPHG's own website.
Aiguille d’Or Grand Prix: Breguet, Classique Souscription 2025
Although we didn’t predict an overall winner for the GPHG Awards show, which is essentially what the Aiguille d’Or is, the Breguet Classique Souscription would have been up there for us, especially since it was our winner for the Iconic award. Breguet really smashed it with this year’s Classique Souscription. This model blends modernity with the brand’s tradition and history, which is a beautiful sight to see because Breguet are one of the most important watch brands in horological history.
Iconic Watch Prize: Audemars Piguet, Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar
Our Prediction: Breguet Classique Souscription 2025
As highlighted above, Breguet were our winners for this Iconic award, but brands can’t win both the prize they were nominated for and the Aiguille d’Or, so did we get this one right on a technicality? To be fair, Audemars Piguet should probably win any type of iconic watch award when a Royal Oak is nominated, as the Royal Oak is one of, if not the most iconic model to have ever been released, as it is known to have saved the Swiss watchmaking industry. However, the belief remains that AP’s Perpetual Calendar “150th Anniversary” Openworked should have been put up for the iconic award, which would have been a perfect goodbye to the last of its kind.
Buy Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Openworked 26735SG.OO.1320SG.01
- ✓Sand Gold (case + bracelet)
- ✓Flying Tourbillon
- ✓Automatic Movement Calibre 2972
Mechanical Exception Watch Prize: Greubel Forsey, Nano Foudroyante
Our Prediction: Louis Vuitton Escale Au Pont-Neuf
Well, this is fairly embarrassing after our strong take of “there is no real competition with Louis Vuitton’s Escale Au Pont-Neuf” as Greubel Forsey took home the Mechanical Exception award. In fact, we didn’t even acknowledge the watch as being in contention, favouring Armin Strom and Hazemann & Monnin’s pieces. Take nothing away from Greubel Forsy, as they really did produce something groundbreaking with the Nano Foudroyante through the use of nanomechanics, making the Nano Foudroyante one of the most energy-efficient watches and an insight into the future of watchmaking.
Chronograph Watch Prize: Angelus, Chronographe Télémètre Yellow Gold
Our Prediction: Angelus Chronograph Télémètre Yellow Gold
We get our first prediction right with the Chronograph award winner, the Angelus Chronograph Télémétre in yellow gold. Whilst our opinion of the nominations for this award remains underwhelming, Angelus’ chronograph piece was a clear winner in our eyes, standing out from the rest of the bunch.
Tourbillon Watch Prize: Bvlgari, Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon
Our Prediction: Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon
Back-to-back correct predictions with Bvlgari winning the Tourbillon award with their Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon. Again, this was a standout winner as Bvlgari broke the record for releasing the world’s thinnest tourbillon watch at 1.85mm thin. Typically, awards are given to those who break records, and it was definitely the case here for Bvlgari.
Sports Watch Prize: Chopard, Alpine Eagle 41 SL Cadence 8HF
Our Prediction: Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 SL Cadence 8HF
Continuing our correct prediction streak is the winner of the Sports award, Chopard’s Alpine Eagle 41 Cadence 8HF. It is the same instance as the previous two awards, where there was simply one winner, and here, in the Sports prize category, it was Chopard’s Alpine Eagle. This is the epitome of a sports watch: 41mm case, crafted in ceramicised titanium, angular case shape, rubber strap and a sleek black dial. There was no real contest; the Alpine Eagle had to win.
Men’s Complication Watch Prize: Bovet 1822, Récital 30
Our Prediction: Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Quantieme Perpetuel
Not many saw this coming. Breaking our streak is Bovet’s huge win with the award for Men’s Complication, gaining this award over four perpetual calendars. To be fair, the Rétical 30 is an extremely unique world timer because instead of the conventional city ring, Bovet incorporated rollers for the 24 cities and an additional roller for shifting Daylight Saving Time (DST), which is extremely innovative.
Men’s Watch Prize: Urban Jürgensen, UJ-2: Double wheel natural escapement
Our Prediction: Chopard L.U.C Quattro Mark IV
With Zenith’s G.F.J. Calibre 315 picking up the Chronometry Prize and reinforcing how brands can’t win both the award they were nominated for and a separate prize, did we also get this prediction right on a technicality? This was one of the most competitive categories at this year’s GPHG Awards, with some hitters from Chopard, Zenith and Grand Seiko, so this is a huge flex for Urban Jürgensen.
Time Only Watch Prize: Daniel Roth, Extra Plat Rose Gold
Our Prediction: Daniel Roth Extra Plat Rose Gold
Like the Men’s watch prize, the Time Only category consisted of tight competition, but we predicted correctly with Dainel Roth’s Extra Plat Rose Gold taking the award for the best time-only watch. Even in this competitive pool of time-only watches, we “couldn’t take our eyes off the Daniel Roth Extra Plat”.
Artistic Crafts Watch Prize: Voutilainen, 28GML SOUYOU
Prediction: Voutilainen 28GML SOUYOU
Making it 5/9 predictions correct is the Voutilainen’s Artistic Crafts Award with the 28GML SOUYOU. This is truly a masterpiece from Voutilainen, who incredibly utilised the extraordinary Japanese lacquer art of Mr Kitamura to produce one of the most mesmerising dials in recent times. This compelling dial requires over 1,000 hours of meticulous craftsmanship, demonstrating Voutilainen’s dedication to horology.
Ladies’ Complication Watch Prize: Chopard, Imperiale Four Seasons
Our Prediction: Hermés Cut Le temps suspendu
Another slightly embarrassing prediction here because of a bold “There is only one real winner” claim. Whilst we predicted Hermés to pick up the Ladies’ Complication Prize with the Cut Le temps supendu, it was actually Chopard who won the award through the Imperiale Four Seasons. To be fair, we may have underappreciated Chopard’s beautiful creation with a stunning rotating disc that indicates the change in seasons over the course of a year. Jacob & Co. and Franck Muller should learn a thing or two about diamond setting placements, as Chopard executed them beautifully on this Imperiale Four Seasons, reminding fellow competitors that just because you have added diamonds, it does not automatically make a watch feminine.
Ladies’ Watch Prize: gérald genta, Gentissima Oursin Fire Opal
Our Prediction: Louis Vuitton Tambour Convergence Platinum
Gérald Genta’s Gentissima Oursin Fire Opal was a huge favourite going into the Ladies’ Watch Prize, so it is not a huge surprise to see the model win this award. Definitely one of the most unique watches featuring 137 Mexican fire opals individually set into the yellow gold case.
“Petite Aiguille” Watch Prize: M.A.D. Editions, M.A.D.2 Green
Prediction: Nomos Glashütte neomatick Worldtimer
Bar the H. Moser & Cie smartwatch, the “Petite Auguille” really could have gone to anyone, but it could only go to one watch, and that was the M.A.D. Editions’ M.A.D.2 Green. The M.A.D.2 Green features two sub-dials: the left sub-dial displays the hour time through a jump-hour mechanism, and the right sub-dial indicates the minutes. It is an extremely cool watch that is one of the best affordable watches in the world, especially after winning this award.
Challenge Watch Prize: Dennison, Natural Stone Tiger Eye In Gold
Our Prediction: Christopher Ward London C1 Celestial Moonphase x Mr Jones Watches
Finally, we end this article with the winner of the Challenge Watch Prize, which was picked up by Dennison’s stunning piece that features a beautiful tiger eye stone dial.
More Award Winners:
- Chronometry Prize: Zenith, G.F.J. Calibre 135
- Horological Revelation Prize: Anton Suhanov, St. Petersburg Easter Egg Tourbillon Clock
- Audacity Prize: Fam Al Hut, Möbius
- Jewellery Watch Prize: Dior Montres, La D de Dior Buisson Couture
- Mechanical Clock Prize: L’Épée 1839, Albatross L’Épée 1839 X MB&F
- Special Jury Prize: Alain Dominique Perrin
