The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, commonly known as the GPHG, is one of the most important annual events in contemporary watchmaking. It recognises exceptional watches, technical innovation, craftsmanship and creative achievement across the global watch industry.
The 2026 edition marks the 26th GPHG ceremony, bringing together some of the world’s largest watch houses and independent watchmakers.
When Is GPHG 2026?
The GPHG 2026 awards ceremony will take place on Saturday, 7 November 2026, from 7:00 PM, at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices in Geneva, Switzerland.
The ceremony is invitation only, although watch enthusiasts around the world will be able to follow it through the official GPHG livestream.
The GPHG 2026 Competition
This year’s competition received 320 watches from 194 brands. Following the first round of voting by the GPHG Academy, 84 watches were selected as official nominees.
The nominated watches are competing across 14 categories, while a total of 20 prizes will be awarded, including the event’s highest honour, the Aiguille d’Or.
The Aiguille d’Or is essentially the overall prize for the most outstanding watch of the year. Winning it can bring significant recognition to both established brands and independent watchmakers.
How Are the Winners Selected?
The GPHG Academy, which includes more than 1,000 figures from across the watch industry, plays a major role in the selection process. Its members selected the nominees and will participate again in the final voting round.
The final decision will also involve a 24-member Jury, chaired in 2026 by Wei Koh, founder of Revolution magazine. The Jury will physically examine the nominated watches before voting by secret ballot.
The winners will be announced on 7 November 2026 in Geneva.
The GPHG 2026 Exhibition
The 84 nominated watches will also be presented to the public at the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire in Geneva from 30 October to 15 November 2026.
Alongside the exhibition, the programme will include guided tours, watchmaking workshops and activities exploring watch design and craftsmanship.
The GPHG 2026 Nominees
The 84 nominated watches represent some of the biggest names in luxury watchmaking alongside respected independent brands and emerging creators.
Among the major brands represented this year are Audemars Piguet, Bvlgari, Chopard, Hermès, IWC, Louis Vuitton, Piaget, TAG Heuer, Tiffany & Co. and Grand Seiko.
The competition also includes important independent names such as H. Moser & Cie., Laurent Ferrier, MB&F, Konstantin Chaykin and Christopher Ward.
This mix is one of the most interesting aspects of the GPHG. Major watch houses with global resources compete on the same stage as smaller independent watchmakers known for technical experimentation, unusual design and creative freedom.
For readers, the 84 nominees offer a broad picture of contemporary watchmaking in 2026, from established luxury houses to some of the industry’s most innovative independent creators.
Why GPHG 2026 Matters
The GPHG is more than an awards ceremony. It provides one of the clearest annual snapshots of where contemporary watchmaking is heading.
The competition brings together two different worlds: established luxury houses with decades of heritage and independent watchmakers pushing technical and creative boundaries.
With 84 nominees selected from 320 entries, GPHG 2026 highlights the diversity of modern watchmaking, from traditional craftsmanship and high complications to artistic experimentation and new ideas.
The winners will be revealed in Geneva on 7 November 2026.
