Since its reboot four years ago, the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève – watchmaking’s highest profile event, often described as the “Oscars of watchmaking” – has attracted a few celebrity watch collectors to the jury, which also boasts some of the most knowledgeable experts in the world of watches.
Celebrities, however, cast a spotlight of a different color onto the stage of Geneva’s Grand Théâtre, adding another layer of excitement and fun to the horological feats being honored.
Recent prominence has included blues musician John Mayer (2013), designer Philippe Starck (2013), and architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte (2013-2014).
For more information on 2014’s jury, please read New Jury And Categories At The 2014 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie De Genève.
Eric Singer: drummer for rock band Kiss and knowledgable watch collector
Eric Singer
Singer has been an avid watch collector for decades, and the depth of his horological knowledge is extraordinary. During a recent interview session, he struck me not only as a serious collector, but also as an honest-to-goodness “watch guy.” My take is that he will make for an excellent juror with ideas and opinions formed in a world that is so very different from our own “insider” microcosm. Singer is sure to enrich and enliven the already lively discussions.
Eric Singer at his “day job” behind the drum kit with Kiss
Quill & Pad will be publishing a lengthy interview with Singer on his collecting bug very soon, so please watch this space. But meanwhile, please enjoy a special performance he took part in during Baselworld 2015 by clicking Hublot Celebrates 10 Years Of Big Bang With Rock Concert Featuring Members Of Kiss, Skid Row, Night Ranger, And Guns N’ Roses.
Another celebrity taking part in the 2015 jury is Dieter Meier, who you might remember as one-half of the techno-pop duo Yello. For more on Meier’s involvement in the world of watches over the last two decades – including the role he played in the creation of Ulysse Nardin’s Stranger timepiece – please read Stranger: Ulysse Nardin’s World-First Music Box Wristwatch.
For me, though, the biggest star on the jury is still Philippe Dufour. I will always be the biggest fan boy – uh, girl – when it comes to the greatest watchmaker of our time. For more on Dufour, please read Why Philippe Dufour Matters. And It’s Not A Secret.
To see the full jury list, please visit www.gphg.org/horlogerie/en/gphg-15/jury.
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[…] I had the pleasure of interviewing Kiss drummer Eric Singer in 2015, a musical timekeeper who is also a prolific watch collector. He is also now generally recognized as something of an authority among celebrity collectors, as evidenced by his participation in the prestigious jury of the 2015 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (see Kiss Drummer Eric Singer Joins The 2015 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève Jury). […]
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His real drummer and good luck your new album and unplugged concert.