Last week the Grand Theatre housed the 7th edition of the Grand Prix d’Horlogrie. It was freezing on the outside but the theatre was full, everyone awaiting the final results. The biggest price this year, Aiguille d’or (Golden hand) was given to Richard Mille for his amazing platinum tourbillon RM012 as well as his contribution to the industry of fine watchmaking.
Gregory Pons, a French journalist who has provided detailed and interesting comments on each winner and its watch. He mentioned that years ago had talked to Richard Mille about the watchmaker’s dream to design a timepiece which would look like a car engine. At the Grand Theatre the dream of Richard Mille was rewarded with this year’s most prestigious Aiguille d’or.
The founder of Agenhor, Mr. Jean-Mark Wiederrecht, was awarded with this year’s new award for the best watchmaker/constructor. He was highly appreciated for his great contribution to the watchmaking industry. Just like most independent watchmakers, Mr. Wiederrecht is creating his wonders in the shadows of many famous watch brands.
The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie included many prize categories, thus showing that the world of watches is large and there is a great diversity of designs and technologies.
This year’s winners by categories included:
The jury’s prize: Reverso grande complication – triptyque by Jaeger-LeCoultre
The prize for the best men’s watch: Observatoire by Kari Voutilainen
The prize for the best women’s watch: Ballon Bleu by Cartier
The prize for the best design: Millenary with dead seconds by Audemars Piguet
The prize for the best jewellery watch: One Million $ BB by Hublot
The prize for the best complication: Glissiere by Harry Winston
The prize for the best sports watch: Royal Oak Offshore Allinghi Team Chronograph by Audemars Piguet
The prize awarded by the public: Defy Xtreme Open Stealth by Zenith
Over 400 timepieces participated in the competition. All watch models were analyzed by a jury of international experts, specialized journalists, as well as collectors from around the world.