The 2025 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), often called the Oscars of watchmaking, highlighted the most exceptional timepieces of the year. The event celebrated craftsmanship, innovation, mechanical complexity, and daring design. Every winner represented a different strength within modern horology, offering collectors and enthusiasts a clear view of the industry’s highest standards. These awards also reflected changing tastes, rising technological ambitions, and the resurgence of traditional watchmaking values. Below is a detailed look at the top watches crowned at the 2025 ceremony.
Aiguille d’Or Grand Prix: Breguet Classique Souscription 2025
The top prize of the entire event went to the Breguet Classique Souscription 2025, a watch that honored the historic subscription concept created by Abraham-Louis Breguet. Its clean dial, traditional guilloché patterns, and elegant movement reflect the purest form of classical watchmaking. The model blends heritage with modern refinement, making it a standout among collectors seeking timeless design and mechanical precision.
Chronometry Prize: Zenith G.F.J Calibre 135
Zenith’s Calibre 135 continues its legacy as one of the world’s most accurate chronometers. The winning model, developed in partnership with master watchmaker Kari Voutilainen, demonstrated exceptional timekeeping performance. Known for stability and meticulous finishing, the movement represented the perfect fusion of historical competition-grade calibres with contemporary craftsmanship.
Horological Revelation Prize: Anto Suhanov St. Petersburg Easter Egg Tourbillon Clock
This award recognized a rising talent, and Anto Suhanov received major praise for his St. Petersburg Easter Egg Tourbillon Clock. Inspired by imperial art traditions, the piece displayed intricate detailing and mechanical creativity. The central tourbillon, combined with an artistic egg-shaped structure, demonstrated how horology can merge with sculpture to produce awe-inspiring objects.
Audacity Prize: FAM AI Hut Mobus
The audacity prize celebrated risk-taking and forward-thinking concepts. The FAM AI Hut Mobus won for its bold fusion of artificial intelligence and horology. The design challenged traditional watchmaking norms through unconventional materials and futuristic aesthetics. Its ambition positioned it as one of the most talked-about experimental timepieces of the year.
Iconic Prize: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar
The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar remained a timeless symbol of modern luxury. This award confirmed its continued influence in shaping watch culture. The combination of the octagonal case, integrated bracelet, and advanced perpetual calendar movement showcased why the Royal Oak remains an enduring icon across generations.
Mechanical Exception Prize: Greubel Forsey Nano Foudroyante
Greubel Forsey captured attention with the Nano Foudroyante, a masterpiece of mechanical innovation. The watch introduced a groundbreaking foudroyante mechanism operating at a microscopic scale. This achievement highlighted the brand’s dominance in pushing technical boundaries, resulting in one of the most sophisticated mechanical designs of the year.
Chronograph Watch Prize: Angelus Chronographe Télémetre Yellow Gold
Angelus revived classical chronograph design with elegance and historical influence. The yellow gold case, telemeter scale, and vintage-styled pushers created a harmonious balance between nostalgia and precision. The movement demonstrated strong timing performance, making it a worthy winner among chronographs.
Tourbillon Watch Prize: Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon
Bulgari continued to reshape ultra-thin watchmaking with the Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon. The model stood out for its record-setting thinness and architectural design. Its open-worked approach and advanced engineering allowed Bulgari to maintain dominance in the world of ultra-thin complications.
Sport Watch Prize: Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 XPS Cadence 8HF
Chopard’s Alpine Eagle 41 SL Cadence 8HF earned recognition for combining sportiness with high-frequency performance. Its 8Hz movement offered superior accuracy, while the case design delivered durability and modern style. The award showed Chopard’s commitment to innovation within the sports segment.
Men’s Complication Prize: Bovet 1822 Récital 30
The Bovet 1822 Récital 30 impressed with its layered displays and mechanical artistry. The watch featured moon phases, calendar functions, and exceptional hand-finishing. Its sloped case design allowed every complication to be showcased with clarity, making it a highlight for collectors who value complexity with elegance.
These GPHG winners emphasize why the awards remain the highest honor in watchmaking. Each winning timepiece reflects a specific mastery: precision, innovation, creativity, technical achievement, and heritage. As the industry evolves, these watches illustrate the powerful blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern engineering shaping the future of haute horlogerie.
