Tonight marks the return of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève to Switzerland for the 26th edition of the watchmaking industry’s most prestigious annual awards ceremony. Often described as the Oscars of the watch world, the event gathers elite watchmakers, collectors, and enthusiasts to celebrate the pinnacle of horological artistry, technical innovation, and design excellence. This year, however, the landmark event brings a significant evolution to its presentation format, signaling a major milestone in the history of the institution.
For the first time since its inception, the GPHG awards ceremony will be conducted entirely in English. This historic pivot represents a deliberate effort by the organization to embrace an increasingly international audience, reflecting the borderless nature of modern watch collecting and enthusiasm. By broadcasting and hosting the event in English, the GPHG aims to eliminate language barriers for millions of horology fans around the globe who tune into the livestream each year to witness the crowning achievements of contemporary watchmaking.
The grand ceremony is set to unfold at the prestigious Bâtiment des Forces Motrices in Geneva, a striking historical venue situated on the rushing waters of the Rhône. Inside this architectural landmark, anticipation will reach its peak as winners across 14 distinct categories are revealed. In total, 19 prizes will be handed out during the course of the evening, culminating in the announcement of the most sought-after accolade in the industry: the Aiguille d’Or Grand Prix, which honors the absolute best watch overall. The official proceedings are scheduled to begin promptly at 6:30 PM local Geneva time, translating to 12:30 PM Eastern Standard Time for viewers tuning in from the East Coast of the United States.
Beyond the linguistic shift, this year’s edition of the GPHG introduces notable structural changes designed to modernize the competition. Most prominently, the traditional men’s and women’s award categories have been retired. In their place, organizers have instituted new categories carefully organized around the intrinsic technical and stylistic characteristics of the submitted timepieces rather than gender designations. This modernization mirrors broader shifts within the luxury watch market, where collectors increasingly prioritize design, sizing, mechanical complexity, and personal taste over traditional demographic marketing labels.
The path to tonight’s ceremony has been a long and global journey for the competing timepieces. A total of 84 exceptional watches have been nominated for recognition this year, comprising 78 wristwatches and six mechanical clocks. Before making their way back to Geneva for the final judging and gala, these masterworks embarked on an extensive international exhibition tour. As part of the GPHG’s ongoing mission to bring high-end watchmaking directly to global enthusiasts, the nominated pieces made high-profile stops in cultural hubs such as Mumbai and Bangkok, offering international collectors and the public a rare, hands-on opportunity to examine the nominees up close.
Following the international tour, the collection found a temporary home in Geneva. The watches have been on public display at the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire in Geneva, running from October 29 through November 15, allowing local residents and international travelers alike to view the finest examples of modern watchmaking craftsmanship before the trophies are handed out.
The excitement surrounding the nominated timepieces will not dissipate with the final closing remarks of tonight’s ceremony. True to tradition, the celebration of winning craftsmanship extends well beyond the borders of Switzerland. Following the gala, the newly crowned winning watches will immediately pack their bags for a special international showcase. They will travel directly to London, where Watches of Switzerland will host a high-profile public exhibition, granting British watch enthusiasts and collectors an exclusive window to inspect the exact pieces that captured the hearts and minds of the international GPHG jury this year.
As the watchmaking world tunes in tonight through the global livestream, the 26th GPHG stands ready to write a new chapter in its storied history. By blending time-honored Swiss craftsmanship with a forward-looking, globally accessible approach, the institution continues to cement its status as the definitive arbiter of excellence in contemporary horology. For further details regarding the ceremony, the nominated timepieces, and how to access the live broadcast, enthusiasts can visit the official Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève website online.
