The Hour Glass invites all watch enthusiasts to discover the nominated timepieces of 2024 at an exclusive event hosted at the iconic Ho Chi Minh City Theater.
GPHG Foundation: Celebrating Excellence in Horological Art
The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) 2023 award ceremony held at the Théâtre du Léman, Geneva
The annual Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) award ceremony, taking place each November, brings together the watch industry to honor the finest creations in the field. Dubbed the “Oscars” of watchmaking, GPHG is a must-attend event for watch aficionados. In the lead-up to the 24th GPHG awards on November 13, 2024, at the Théâtre du Léman in Geneva, The Hour Glass will host the only GPHG stopover in Southeast Asia with a special exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City from October 8 to 10, 2024.
Founded in Geneva in 2001, GPHG is a non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing and promoting exceptional timepieces and horological art worldwide. With 23 editions under its belt, GPHG has solidified its position as a pinnacle event in the watch industry. The GPHG awards are coveted for their professional recognition and the enhanced collectability they bestow upon the winning timepieces.
The GPHG Academy, established in 2020, embodies the values of neutrality, independence, and universality. Academy members propose eligible watches, complementing the nominations from traditional participating brands, and participate in the voting process to select the winners. Currently, 970 Academy members are engaged in the first round of voting to select the 90 nominated watches for the 2024 awards. The preliminary list of nominations will be announced on August 27.
The winning watches from the nominated categories will receive the prestigious GPHG trophy, crafted from gold-plated brass by TEC GROUP and designed by Geneva-based graphic designer Roger Pfund. The trophy features a hand symbolizing mastery across all fields of watchmaking, inspired by Michelangelo’s fresco in the Sistine Chapel, where God transmits life to Adam through a touch.
The esteemed GPHG trophy at the 2023 GPHG exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, hosted by The Hour Glass
GPHG Makes a Splash in Vietnam for the First Time as Part of its 2024 Tour
Each year, GPHG celebrates contemporary horological art globally with a world tour, exhibiting the 90 nominated timepieces. These exhibitions offer domestic and international watch enthusiasts the opportunity to admire and experience the year’s most intriguing watches alongside leading horological experts.
Ho Chi Minh City Theater – A Symbol of the City’s Cultural and Artistic Heritage
Vietnam is the only Southeast Asian country featured in this year’s tour, following Hong Kong (September 28 – 30). The event will take place from October 8 to 10 at the Ho Chi Minh City Theater, often referred to as the “Cathedral of the Arts.” The venue blends ancient Greco-Roman architecture with French art, providing the perfect backdrop for the GPHG exhibition and promising a celebration that fuses art, architecture, and culture.
The Hour Glass and GPHG: A Strong Partnership
The Hour Glass organized the only GPHG 2023 stopover in Southeast Asia with a special exhibition at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
The Hour Glass, one of the world’s leading specialized watch retailers, boasts over 60 stores across 14 major cities in the Asia-Pacific region. With a mission to propagate and elevate watch culture, The Hour Glass is renowned for delivering unique and personalized retail experiences. Backed by a team of experts, The Hour Glass aims to become the go-to destination for watch enthusiasts and collectors alike. After hosting GPHG exhibitions in Singapore, Sydney, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur, most recently in Malaysia in 2023, The Hour Glass continues its mission in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in 2024.
Mr. Tran Thanh Hai, General Director of The Hour Glass Vietnam, shared, “GPHG is a unique platform that celebrates innovation, design, and craftsmanship in watchmaking. The selection of Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam once again underscores the city’s importance in the world of watches, aligning with The Hour Glass’s mission to elevate watch culture and provide enthusiasts with access to extraordinary timepieces.”
Mr. Raymond Loretan, President of GPHG, expressed, “We are grateful for the support of The Hour Glass. This year marks the first time GPHG is exhibiting nominated watches in Vietnam, a country with a strong following of watch enthusiasts and collectors. The dynamic balance between Vietnam’s vibrant urban culture and its traditional values creates an ideal setting for this event.”
