De Bethune DB25 Starry Varius Chronomètre Tourbillon

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

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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.

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Bulgari Serpenti High Jewellery

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

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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.

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

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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.

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Artistic Crafts category pre-selected watches for the 2018 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève,clockwise from top left: Chaumet Ecritures de Chaumet, Fabergé Clover, Hermès Arceau Robe du Soir, Piaget Altiplano Tourbillon Malachite, Vacheron Constantin Les Aérostiers Paris 1783, and Van’t hoff Ballet in Blue

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

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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?

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Ulysse Nardin Freak Vision

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

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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.”

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Habring2 Doppel-Felix on the wrist of Richard Habring

Our Predictions In The Petite Aiguille Category Of The 2018 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève And Our Panel Is Split Between Two Favorites

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What a diverse selection we have in the Petite Aiguille category. Ian Skellern thinks that if you bought all six pre-selected watches you would have an excellent collection of 2018 contemporary watchmaking. This is a very competitive price range, and at this level customers have serious expectations of both quality and delight. We pick our winners here; which one is your favorite?

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De Bethune DB25 Starry Varius Chronomètre Tourbillon

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

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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.”

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Tudor Black Bay GMT

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

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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.

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Singer Reimagined Track 1 Hong Kong Edition

Our Predictions For Best Chronograph At The 2018 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève: Our Panel Is Not Unanimous But A Clear Favorite Emerges

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The 6 pre-selected timepieces for the 2018 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève Chronograph category are: Czapek L’Heure Bleue, Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph, Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Limited Edition 100, Singer Reimagined Singer Track 1 Hong Kong Edition, TAG Heuer Monaco Bamford, and Zenith Defy El Primero 21. We’ve selected our favorites here; which one do you like best?

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Zenith Classic Defy with blue dial on the wrist

5 Highlights From WatchTime New York 2018 To Fall For From Jaeger-LeCoultre, Zenith, RGM, Bremont, And Jaquet Droz

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An impressive range of 30 international luxury watch brands will welcome horological enthusiasts, connoisseurs, and collectors to WatchTime New York on October 26 and 27, 2018. Held in Manhattan’s Gotham Hall, WatchTime New York offers plenty of opportunity for enthusiasts and the curious alike to get in contact with brands and try on their watches. Sabine Zwettler highlights five watches to look out for at the fair.

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