Entries by Ian Skellern

Quill & Pad’s Predictions For The Aiguille d’Or Of The 2018 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, And We Have 4 Winners

November 5, 2018 /3 Comments/in , , /by

The GPHG defines the Aiguille d’Or category as, “a prize rewarding the best overall watch among all categories and is the most prestigious award.” Judging that is no easy task, and our panel has predicted four possible winners: the De Bethune DB25 Starry Varius Chronomètre Tourbillon, Ulysse Nardin Freak Vision, Habring2 Doppel-Felix, and Akrivia Chronomètre Contemporain. Read on to see why.

Our Predictions In The Jewellery Category Of The 2018 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie De Genève: And Again With Diverse Viewpoints

November 2, 2018 /1 Comment/in , , /by

Adding diamonds and other gemstones to a watch is not that complicated, but to do it in such a way that there is synergy requires an exponential amount of craftsmanship and expertise. The lineup in the Jewellery category of the 2018 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève is extraordinary, and our panel finds that its tastes differ.

Our Predictions In The Sports Category Of The 2018 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie De Genève: Our 6 Panelists Pick 5 Different Winners

October 30, 2018 /0 Comments/in , /by

It is easier to judge watches based on their ability to perform under a set type of circumstances than it is to judge whether a watch is better for a human than another. Being “sporty” doesn’t necessarily mean it is capable, so one still needs to assess the inherent qualities behind construction, legibility, and durability. Here we share our diverse predictions for the GPHG’s best sports watch of 2018.

Our Predictions In The Artistic Crafts Category Of The 2018 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie De Genève And Our Panel Is Divided (Again!)

October 26, 2018 /0 Comments/in , , /by

The Artistic Crafts category of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève is for watches, “ . . . demonstrating exceptional mastery of one or several artistic techniques such as enameling, lacquering, engraving, guilloche (engine-turning), skeletonizing, and more.” Our panel picks its favorites to win the category while discovering how much taste can vary. Which one do you prefer?

Our Predictions In The Mechanical Exception Category Of The 2018 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève

October 23, 2018 /3 Comments/in , /by

Welcome to the 2018 edition of Quill & Pad’s Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève predictions in which the team picks favorites and explains why. The GPHG foundation describes the Mechanical Exception category for watches entered as: “men’s or ladies’ watches with a special mechanism such as an innovative or sophisticated display, an automaton, a belt-driven movement, a striking or other acoustic function, or any other original and/or exceptional horological concept.”

Our Predictions In The Chronometry Category Of The 2018 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie De Genève: A Clear Favorite Emerges

October 16, 2018 /1 Comment/in , /by

Welcome to the 2018 edition of Quill & Pad’s Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève predictions in which the team picks favorites and explains why. Here we take on the Chronometry category for watches entered as: “mechanical watches that contain at least one tourbillon and/or a special escapement and/or another development improving precision timekeeping. Additional indications and/or complications are admissible.”

Our Predictions In The Challenge Category Of The 2018 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie De Genève: No Clear Consensus And Quite A Few Surprises

October 12, 2018 /1 Comment/in , , /by

The GPHG Challenge category is for watches retailing under 4,000 Swiss francs (approximately $4,000) and that makes not only for a very competitive category, it’s also an entry for many to the world of fine watchmaking. Check out which watches our panel thought stood out this year.