Philipp Riehr 09 November 2026

At the 26th edition of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG 2026), held at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices, the international jury honoured the most outstanding watches of the year on Saturday evening. The ceremony once again highlighted the tension between traditional manufacture watchmaking and the continuing pressure to innovate within independent watchmaking. Here is an overview of the key categories:

“Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix: Rexhep Rexhepi – Chronograph Flyback (RRCHF)

The highest accolade in the watch industry went this year to Geneva-based independent watchmaker Rexhep Rexhepi. His manually wound flyback chronograph impressed the jury with its restrained profile, classical proportions and a level of movement finishing that would be difficult to reproduce on an industrial scale.

Rexhep Rexhepi, watchmaker and founder of Rexhep Rexhepi, winner of the “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix 2026.

Rexhep Rexhepi RRCHF flyback chronograph in platinum

On the wrist: Rexhep Rexhepi RRCHF flyback chronograph

The RRCHF flyback chronograph movement by Rexhep Rexhepi

The first fully in-house developed chronograph movement by Rexhep Rexhepi for the RRCHF

Chronograph Watch Prize: Parmigiani Fleurier – Tonda PF Chronographe Mystérieux

Parmigiani Fleurier secured the Chronograph Watch Prize with an unusual construction: when the chronograph is not running, the dial resembles that of a simple three-hand watch. Only when timing begins do the three coaxially arranged chronograph hands for seconds, minutes and hours come into action – all operated by a single monopusher.

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Guido Terreni, CEO of Parmigiani Fleurier, winner of the Chronograph Watch Prize 2026.

The Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Chronographe Mystérieux reference PFC908-1020001-100182.

Mechanical Exception Watch Prize: Blancpain – Grande Double Sonnerie

Blancpain prevailed in the category devoted to the highest levels of watchmaking complexity. Comprising more than 1,000 components, the calibre combines a four-tone chiming mechanism (grande sonnerie, petite sonnerie and minute repeater), a flying tourbillon and a perpetual calendar with a retrograde display.

Alexios Kitsopoulos, Vice President and Head of Marketing at Blancpain, winner of the Mechanical Exception Watch Prize 2026.

The Blancpain Grande Double Sonnerie Ref. 15GSQ in red gold on the wrist.

The dial of the Blancpain Grande Double Sonnerie Ref. 15GSQ in red gold.

The hammers of the Blancpain Grande Double Sonnerie Ref. 15GSQ in red gold.

The caseback and the movement of the Blancpain Grande Double Sonnerie Ref. 15GSQ in red gold.

The case of the Blancpain Grande Double Sonnerie Ref. 15GSQ in red gold.

Complication Watch Prize: Cleguer – Inspiration One

The debut of Mathieu Cleguer came as a surprise. The award in the complication category primarily recognises the escapement he developed, featuring two escape wheels that act directly on a large balance wheel and ensure that the movement starts running by itself immediately and reliably after winding.

Mathieu Cleguer, Director of Cleguer, winner of the Complication Watch Prize 2026.

Time Only Watch Prize: Chopard – L.U.C 1860

Chopard won the category for watches without additional functions. The 36.5 mm Lucent Steel case houses the slim self-winding calibre L.U.C 96.40-L, equipped with a 22-carat gold micro-rotor. A date window has been omitted in favour of a symmetrical, guilloché dial.

Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard and winner of the Time Only Watch Prize 2026.

The Chopard L.U.C 1860 reference 168860-3005.

Tourbillon Watch Prize: Ferdinand Berthoud – Chronomètre FB 2TV

Ferdinand Berthoud secured the Tourbillon Watch Prize. The model combines a flying one-minute tourbillon with a fusée-and-chain transmission that ensures a constant delivery of force to the escapement throughout the power reserve. Both mechanical assemblies are visible from the front of the case.

Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, President of Ferdinand Berthoud and winner of the Tourbillon Watch Prize 2026.

The Ferdinand Berthoud Chronomètre reference FB 2TV.1.

Sports Watch Prize: Grand Seiko – Spring Drive U.F.A. Ushio 300 Diver

The trophy for sports watches went to Japan. Grand Seiko impressed with a diver’s watch powered by a highly precisely regulated Spring Drive movement (U.F.A.), combining a robust case with the distinctive dial texture for which the brand is known.