Parmigiani and Gronefeld Win Big at the 2022 GPHG

By Oster Jewelers | November 10, 2022 0 Comments

Formed in 2001, the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) aims to highlight the most significant timepieces. It’s annual awards ceremony and 21st anniversary celebration were held November 10th, 2022 at the Théâtre du Léman in Geneva.

The Grand Prix d’Horologerie de Genève

_{^{2022 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (Photo courtesy of gphg.org)}}

The GPHG Academy forms the backbone of this competition – a notable collective of watchmakers, industry specialists, collectors, journalists, educators, and other horological experts. Hundreds of watches this year have been evaluated, and were ultimately condensed to the top 90 pieces across 15 categories, by a series of nominations and votes by the Academy. This year-long endeavor has culminated with the 2022 GPHG awards ceremony, and the crowning of the prestigious “Aiguille d’Or Grand Prix along with winners across nineteen categories including Parmigiani Fleurier, Grönefeld, Kari Voutilainen, and others.

_{^{Guido Terrini, Parmigiani (L) Tim & Bart Grönefeld (C), Kari Voutilainen (R)}}

LADIES’ WATCH PRIZE: Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Automatic 18k Rose Gold

_{^{Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Automatic 18k Rose Gold Deep Ruby 36mm}}

Parmigiani Fleurier has taken the prize for the Ladies’ Watch Category and it’s easy to see why. A sleek 18k rose gold watch, the new Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Automatic 36mm manages to retain the qualities of the model that has become a signature of the brand: the Tonda PF Micro-Rotor. Equipped with a new, in-house automatic movement of subtly more delicate proportions, the Tonda PF Automatic 36mm introduces itself in a format suitable for a thinner wrist.

_{^{Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Automatic 18k Rose Gold Deep Ruby}}

The fluid and harmonious integration of the 18-carat rose gold case and bracelet, knurled bezel, finely guilloché minimalist dial with invisible set baguette-cut diamond indexes are all a nod to the stylistic language of Parmigiani Fleurier. Without a doubt, the PF Automatic 36mm Gold is a timepiece of austere sobriety and discreet elegance. Shop the Parmigiani Fleurier Collection.

CHRONOGRAPH WATCH PRIZE: Grönefeld 1941 Grönograaf

_{^{Grönefeld 1941 Grönograaf}}

With one look it’s easy to see why Grönefeld took home the prize in the Chronograph category, but this may have been unexpected, as while Grönefeld has produced a number of different watches endowed with a variety of complications, it had never made a chronograph until the release of the 1941 Grönograaf. This limited edition timepiece is a classical chronograph, but consistent with the Grönefeld ethos and incorporates several ingenious details. This 1941 Grönograaf is the distillation of three generations of watchmaking know-how, of the professional journeys of both Horological Brothers and the manifestation of their extraordinary passion for horology.

_{^{Grönefeld 1941 Grönograaf is available with a choice of straps}}

Unlike mass-produced cam-actuated chronographs, the 1941 Grönograaf features a classical configuration, namely a column-wheel and lateral coupling, a combination synonymous with high-end watchmaking. The calibre G-04 is a symphony of 408 parts and a wonderful exemplar of no-compromise watchmaking. Mindful that chronograph movements are often subject to harsh forces that can sometimes scar hammers and bend hands, The Horological Brothers conceived a less aggressive system, a ‘soft reset’ mechanism. A centrifugal governor, positioned at 4 o’clock, typically seen on minute repeaters, slows down the reset function, thereby proving kinder to components while delivering a fascinating spectacle in the process. The 1941 Grönefeld is customizable with a choice of exotic straps. Learn more about the 1941 Grönograaf at Oster Jewelers.

ARTISTIC CRAFTS WATCH PRIZE: Voutilainen Ji-Ku

_{^{Voutilainen Ji-Ku}}

Fittingly, the 2022 GPHG Artistic Crafts Watch Prize was bestowed on Kari Voutilainen for his Ji-Ku, a collaboration with Tatsuo Kitamura, one of the greatest lacquer artists of Japan. Tatsuo Kitamura is highly regarded for his lacquer art that stand at the height of Japanese tradition. Through his incredible attention to detail he’s able to bring forth to the present, a craft that has existed for hundreds of years, exemplifying the passion to preserve the soul, spirit and identity of traditional Japanese culture as expressed in the Edo period. This superlative work engages us immediately on a physical level and one can only stand in awe at the commitment, patience and dedication required to create these works of art. The dial shown here, using the techniques of lacquering with Saiei Makie and Somata zaiku takes several months of work to complete. The raw materials for its creation are: Kinpun (gold dust), Jyunkin-itakane (gold leaf), Yakou-gai (shell of great green turban) and Awabi-gai (abalone shell from New Zealand).

Through the sapphire glass on the reverse you’re able to appreciate the fine details of the in-house designed movement. This symbiosis of Japanese tradition with the Swiss haute horlogerie creations of Kari Voutilainen represents an all-embracing mechanical and visual work of art that unites the East and West in perfect harmony. Explore the Kari Voutilainen Collection at Oster Jewelers here.

Shop more luxury watches at Oster Jewelers.