Tough times ahead for those who serve in the jury of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève 2014, with amongst them Sean Li, REVOLUTION’s Editorial Director, and long time REVOLUTION contributor Nick Foulkes. It is up to them to accomplish the near impossible task to select the winners for the 14th edition of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, because can one for example really choose between the MB&F Legacy Machine N°2, Urwerk EMC, and the Jaquet Droz Bird Repeater for best mechanical exception?

Of course there is a lot of honor in being nominated, let alone to win, but it also tells another story. It gives quite a good impression of the current state of the watch industry. Some CEO’s might prefer slightly stronger sales, but when you take a look at the offerings that where nominated for the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, it can only become clear that the industry as a whole is still doing great. Creativity is truly the main ingredient in each and every one of these watches, clearly indicating that we are still strongly in the Renaissance of mechanical watchmaking.

For an obsolete technology, in terms of accuracy, it is amazing to see how brands so strongly innovate in the technical capabilities of the mechanical watch. Watches like the Frédéric Jouvenot Surya, Breguet Classique Chronométrie, Montblanc TimeWalker 100 and TAG Heuer Carrera MikroPendulum Tourbillon are just a few examples of nominated watches that are pushing the envelope when it comes to how a mechanical movement functions and displays time.

With so many new watches released every year, it is impossible to all nominate them. Choices had to be made, and therefor the pre-selection for the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève is not completely an accurate overview of where the different brands stand. However, of course there are some indications. In case you didn’t know it yet; Tudor is back! Nominated with three watches, in three different categories, the brands current strong line-up also did not escape the jury which handled the pre-selection. Furthermore; Orange is not the new black in watchmaking world. Especially in the Sports-catagory black cases are still going strong, not to mention of course black dials!

Another thing that is still strong is the presence of independents participating in the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. Laurent Ferrier competes with the Lady F, Christophe Claret with the Margot, De Bethune might have the best chronograph with its DB29 Maxichrono Tourbillon and Grönefeld shakes up the Tourbillon-catagory with its Parallax Tourbillon. And these are only a few examples of the independents that might receive the highest honor.

Selecting the winners is not only a task up to the distinguished jury, there is also a public prize. Here, anybody who registers can select his/her personal favorite amongst all of the 72 watches nominated. In return for this there is also a prize you can win yourself. Amongst all that have voted for the public price one Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1946 XXL Petite Seconde will be given away at random. This will be announced on stage at the official Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève gala on 31st October 2014. To cast your vote click here Good luck to all!

Martin Green
Eclectic taste in Haute Horlogerie, passion for diamond set watches, loves the classics

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