Messages: 7553 Location: New York City
Registered: November 2003
Backstage at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie 2014
Thu, 06 November 2014 18:46
As some of you know, this year, I had the great honor to be a jury member at the Grand Prix d'horlogerie of Geneva. The Grand Prix was founded in 2000 by the magazine la Tribune des Arts and is now run by the Fondation of the Grand Prix whose President is Mr. Carlo Lambrecht, a former Minister of Economy for the Canton of Geneva and Ms Carine Mailard, is the Foundation Managing Director. Every year in late October early November, the fondation invites the pre selected jury to come to Geneva to see the finalists (The jury pre-selected the final 72 watches among over 250 watches which are competing during the summer by mailing a ballot). From early morning until late afternoon, the jury deliberates in a room voting for each category, after the vote are made (by secret ballot), the jury discuss the 4 important prizes before a last vote. The discussion can be heated and much fun. When you have Philippe Dufour in a room next to Aurel Bacs and some of the finest watch experts, among 72 amazing watches, you know that it will be fun conversation and strong debates. A last vote is made for the Aiguille d'or,(the highest prize), the Special Jury prize, the Innovation prize, and the Young watchmaker prize. Then we let the assessors tally the votes and nobody know the result until the gala a few days later.
This is the Grand Theater of Geneva, where every year the Grand Prix evening Gala is schedule. Le Grand Theatre is an opera house built in 1876. It is the largest stage in Switzerland. The above picture was taken on my way to the Theater because Jury members have to participate in the Grand Prix and must attend rehearsal.
This is rehearsal time for the Jury, The stage director teaches us where we come in and exit stage, how to greet the laureate on stage and in what language they want us to make the announcement. With 15 different prizes and a as many speeches, they want us to be efficient and fast. The Grand prix is broadcasted live on Swiss TV and also live streaming on the internet. This year, we had 24 jury members from 16 different countries
Some of the chairs are reserved for the brand presidents, but also politicians, ambassadors and the public.
Let the show begin! The Red carpet and Swiss guards for the guests as they make their entrance in the Theater.
Backstage the envelopes with the winner name are prepared, all the trophies are polished and ready to be awarded.
First prize awarded was the Special Prize of the Jury to Herr Walter Lange for his work as a whole, the 90 year old Mr. Lange made an emotional speech.
Grönefeld received the best Tourbillon, this is a brand which is already well known among TZers, winner of the WOTY 2012. First time they win at GPHG. Here are the Grönefeld brothers.
Finally I am directed backstage to give the Prize for the Innovation of the year...
Waiting for my turn to go on stage.....
Trophy and envelope ready!
It's URWERK for the amazing EMC,Felix Baumgartner making the speech with Martin Frei.
At last, the most important prize of the evening goes to Breguet for the "Classique Chronometrie 10Hz" a fantastic watch which really deserves the "Aiguille d'Or 2014".
The Jury 2014
Complete list of laureates for 2014:
"Aiguille d'Or" Grand Prix: Breguet, Classique Chronométrie
Ladies' Watch Prize: Blancpain, Women Off-centred Hour
- William Massena