Geneva crowned its best again. At the 26th Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, the Aiguille d’Or went to Rexhep Rexhepi for the Chronograph Flyback, a clear nod to substance over spectacle. Under the gaze of the UNESCO Director-General, the industry gathered not for noise, but for craft.
The evening’s headline was deserved. Rexhepi’s win signals a continued respect for uncompromising, movement-first watchmaking. A flyback chronograph is a working tool before it is a trophy, and this result feels like the jury rewarding clarity of purpose.
Across the categories, the spread was refreshingly catholic. Audemars Piguet took the Iconic Watch Prize with the Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-thin Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph RD#5 “150th Anniversary”, while Parmigiani Fleurier claimed the Chronograph Watch Prize for the Tonda PF Chronographe Mystérieux. Ferdinand Berthoud doubled with the Chronometry Prize for Naissance d’une Montre 3 and the Tourbillon Watch Prize for the Chronomètre FB 2TV.
Blancpain’s Grande Double Sonnerie earned Mechanical Exception, and Cleguer’s Inspiration One took the Complication Watch Prize. Konstantin Chaykin picked up the Audacity Prize for ThinKing Mystery, proving wit still has a place at the bench. Chopard split honors with the Time Only Watch Prize for L.U.C 1860 and the Jewellery Watch Prize for Mystery Nut. Louis Vuitton’s Tambour Taiko Arty Automata secured Artistic Crafts, while Piaget’s Swinging Pebble shone in the Gemset category. On the accessible end, Otsuka Lotec won the Petite Aiguille with No.8 and SpaceOne, took the Challenge Watch Prize with SpaceOne X Baltic – Seconde Majeure. La Vallée’s Cosmo reminded us the clock is alive and well.
The Special Jury Prize went to Patek Philippe for its Watch Art Grand Exhibition, a quiet but weighty salute to cultural stewardship. Some prizes celebrate novelty; this one thanked guardianship.
If you want to see the winners breathe, the exhibition of the 84 nominated timepieces remains at the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire in Geneva until 15 November, then travels to London, 18 to 23 November, at the Watches of Switzerland boutique in Knightsbridge. Go for the finishing, stay for the ideas.
In a year eager for headlines, GPHG 2026 chose continuity. Craft over branding, intention over excess. The kind of night that makes you wind your watch a little slower.
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