The Art of Time: Unveiling the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in Vietnam

The Hour Glass invites all watch enthusiasts to discover the 2024 nominated timepieces at Ho Chi Minh City’s iconic Opera House.

GPHG Foundation: Celebrating Excellence in Watchmaking Art

The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) 2023 award ceremony took place at the Théâtre du Léman, Geneva.

The annual Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) award ceremony, held in 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. Ahead of the 24th GPHG ceremony 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.

Established in Geneva in 2001, GPHG is a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating and recognizing the most exquisite timepieces while promoting watchmaking art worldwide. With 23 editions held so far, GPHG has solidified its position as a pinnacle event in the watch industry. The GPHG awards are coveted for the professional recognition they bestow and the enhanced collectability of the winning timepieces.

The GPHG Academy, founded in 2020, embodies the values of neutrality, independence, and universality. Academy members propose eligible watches, complementing the nominations from traditional participating brands, and vote to select the winners. Currently, 970 Academy members are engaged in the first round of voting to select 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 copper by TEC GROUP and designed by Geneva-based graphic designer Roger Pfund. The trophy features a hand symbolizing mastery in all watchmaking domains, inspired by Michelangelo’s fresco in the Sistine Chapel, where God gives life to Adam through a touch.

The prestigious 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 organizes a global celebration of contemporary watchmaking art with a world tour, showcasing 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 watch experts.

Ho Chi Minh City Opera House – A Symbol of the City’s Cultural and Artistic Heritage.

Vietnam is the only Southeast Asian country on 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 Opera House, often referred to as the “Cathedral of Arts.” The venue blends Greco-Roman architecture with French art, creating 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 spread 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, Kuala Lumpur, and most recently, 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.”