The 2025 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) delivered one of the most impressive lineups in recent years, celebrating extraordinary craftsmanship, innovation, and artistic design. Known globally as the Oscars of watchmaking, the GPHG remains the highest authority in recognizing excellence across different horological categories. The 2025 results reflected a powerful combination of heritage revival, mechanical breakthroughs, bold experimentation, and modern reinterpretation of iconic designs. Each award-winning piece demonstrated a unique story, technical ambition, and a deep respect for traditional watchmaking. Below is a detailed exploration of each winner and what sets these masterpieces apart.
Aiguille d’Or Grand Prix: Breguet Classique Souscription 2025
The highest honor, the Aiguille d’Or, went to the Breguet Classique Souscription 2025. Inspired by the famed subscription watches introduced by Abraham-Louis Breguet in the late 18th century, this model pays tribute to the origins of precision watchmaking. Its aesthetic highlights the hallmarks of the Breguet style: a hand-guilloché dial, delicate blued Breguet hands, and a perfectly proportioned case. Inside, the movement follows traditional architecture while embracing subtle modern improvements in stability and finishing. Collectors praised the watch for preserving historical authenticity while delivering refined performance suited for contemporary use.
Chronometry Prize: Zenith G.F.J Calibre 135
Zenith reclaimed its legendary status in precision watchmaking with the G.F.J Calibre 135. Originally created for chronometry competitions, the Calibre 135 is widely considered one of the most accurate movements ever produced. The 2025 edition, refined in collaboration with Kari Voutilainen, featured adjustments made by master regulators to push accuracy to its limits. The movement received carefully polished components, redesigned bridges, and optimized balance stability. Its award recognized uncompromising pursuit of timekeeping excellence and respect for Zenith’s competitive heritage.
Horological Revelation Prize: Anto Suhanov St. Petersburg Easter Egg Tourbillon Clock
Emerging independent watchmaker Anto Suhanov captivated the jury with his St. Petersburg Easter Egg Tourbillon Clock. Drawing inspiration from imperial art traditions, Suhanov crafted a mechanical sculpture combining a polished egg-shaped shell and a central floating tourbillon mechanism. The piece blends artistic expression with technical mastery, demonstrating how horology can transcend the wrist to become a form of kinetic art. Its recognition signaled the industry’s growing appreciation for creative object clocks and the role of new voices in advancing mechanical artistry.
Audacity Prize: FAM AI Hut Mobus
The FAM AI Hut Mobus won the Audacity Prize for its experimental spirit and futuristic interpretation of time. This concept piece integrated artificial intelligence with unconventional materials to challenge the definition of what a timepiece can be. Featuring an unusual architectural design and a hybrid digital-mechanical interface, the Mobus stood out as one of the boldest innovations of the year. The award celebrated its willingness to break norms and redefine boundaries in modern watchmaking.
Iconic Prize: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar
Few watches shape the identity of an entire industry, and the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar remains one such symbol. In 2025, Audemars Piguet received recognition for its enduring impact on design. The octagonal bezel, integrated bracelet, and openworked perpetual calendar mechanism continued to attract new collectors and seasoned enthusiasts. Its combination of tradition and cutting-edge materials reinforced its relevance in a changing market. The award acknowledged not only the model’s design legacy but also its continued evolution across generations.
Mechanical Exception Prize: Greubel Forsey Nano Foudroyante
Greubel Forsey reaffirmed its reputation for engineering brilliance with the Nano Foudroyante. This extraordinary piece introduced a micro-scale foudroyante complication capable of displaying fractions of a second at unprecedented speed. The movement incorporated advanced materials, miniature components, and a new energy distribution system. The award recognized its mechanical ingenuity, high-level finishing, and ability to set new standards for technical achievement.
Chronograph Watch Prize: Angelus Chronographe Télémetre Yellow Gold
Angelus impressed enthusiasts with a revival of its historic chronograph designs. The Chronographe Télémetre in yellow gold combined vintage-inspired aesthetics with modern mechanical reliability. Its telemeter scale, leaf hands, and classically shaped pushers reflected 20th-century military and scientific chronographs. Inside, the movement offered precise operation and smooth actuation. The jury praised its ability to honor heritage while providing contemporary functionality.
Tourbillon Watch Prize: Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon
Bulgari continued its dominance in ultra-thin watchmaking with the Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon. The piece extended Bulgari’s pursuit of record-breaking slimness while incorporating a fully functional tourbillon in an incredibly thin structure. The design balanced modern industrial architecture with extreme mechanical engineering. The model demonstrated how contemporary horology can combine elegance, risk-taking, and technical excellence in a single watch.
Sport Watch Prize: Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 SL Cadence 8HF
Chopard’s Alpine Eagle 41 SL Cadence 8HF set new benchmarks in sports watch performance. Its 8Hz movement offered superior accuracy and long-term stability, appealing to wearers seeking both durability and precision. The case design delivered excellent ergonomics, scratch resistance, and a strong visual identity. The award showcased Chopard’s commitment to innovation within high-performance sports watches.
Men’s Complication Prize: Bovet 1822 Récital 30
The Bovet 1822 Récital 30 earned recognition for its artistic and mechanical complexity. Its sloped case allowed every complication—moon phases, calendar indications, and more—to be displayed clearly without crowding. The level of hand decoration, from engraved bridges to polished gears, made the watch an exceptional achievement in fine watchmaking. Collectors praised its originality and the harmony between design and mechanical depth.
These GPHG winners reflect the diversity of modern horology, from classical artistry to bold experimentation. They highlight the industry’s commitment to preserving craftsmanship while exploring new creative horizons. Each watch serves as a benchmark for innovation, precision, and beauty, shaping the future direction of haute horlogerie.
