Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar Wins the “Aiguille d’Or” at GPHG 2021 (and all the other prizewinners)
For the third time in a row, ultra-thin is awarded at the Oscars of watchmaking
With the watchmaking industry coming back to a normal situation this year, we’ve been able to see some pretty impressive watches launched during several digital or physical events. And as every year in November, the industry celebrates creativity and innovation, with the GPHG 2021 ceremony just ended – an event also known as the Oscars of the Watchmaking Industry. As always, a complex watch has been under the spotlight this year, but most importantly, we’re talking about the third time in a row that ultra-thin horology is awarded. Following the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin in 2019 (back then the thinnest QP) and the Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept in 2020 (the thinnest mechanical watch ever made), this year it’s another specialist of slenderness that wins the 2021 Aiguille d’Or, the Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar – the thinnest QP ever created. And after so many record-breaking models, it’s a well-deserved prize for the brand!
GPHG 2021 – QUICK TAKE
As we know, and being a celebration of what the industry can do best, the GPHG has a tendency to award complicated watches as “best of show” or so-called Aiguille d’Or. The GPHG 2021 is no exception to this rule and as such, the prize was given to the watch that is the thinnest perpetual calendar ever created, with a case measuring 5.80mm in height and a movement of only 2.75mm. More importantly, this 2021 Aiguille d’Or finally recognize the work done by a brand for more than 7 years now, with no fewer than 7 world records for thinness in a row – the thinnest tourbillon movement in 2014, the thinnest minute repeater in 2016, the thinnest automatic movement in 2017, the thinnest automatic watch and thinnest tourbillon watch in 2018, the thinnest chronograph in 2019, the thinnest chronograph tourbillon in 2020 and the thinnest perpetual calendar in 2021.
This also shows how important ultra-thin watchmaking is, and despite not being a complication by itself, this field of horology requires impressive knowledge and inventiveness. In that perspective, it was about time for Bvlgari to be awarded for this specific ultra-thin perpetual calendar, but in a way also for the work done over the past 7 years.
And now, here’s the complete list of the winning watches at the GPHG 2021.
Aiguille d’or – Bvlgari Octo Finissimo
Ladies’ Watch – Piaget Limelight Gala Precious Rainbow
Ladies’ Complication – Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Féerie
Men’s Watch – Grand Seiko White Birch
Men’s Complication – MB&F LMX Titanium
Iconic Watch – Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin 15202PT
Tourbillon Watch – De Bethune DB Kind of Two Tourbillon
Calendar and Astronomy – Christiaan Van Der Klaauw CVDK Planetarium Eise Eisinga
Mechanical Exception – Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Automatic
Chronograph – Zenith Chronomaster Sport
Diver’s Watch – Louis Vuitton Tambour Street Diver Skyline Blue
Jewellery Watch – Chopard Flower Power
Artistic Crafts – MB&F LM SE Eddy Jaquet
“Petite Aiguille” – Tudor Black Bay Ceramic
Challenge – CIGA Design Blue Planet
Horological Revelation – Furlan Marri MR. Grey
Audacity Prize – Louis Vuitton Tambour Carpe Diem
Innovation Prize – Bernhard Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer
Special Jury Prize 2021 – Dubai Watch Week
More details at gphg.org.
10 responses
Good for Grand Seiko and Lederer, and although it’s slightly funny the Jumbo has won the Iconic prize twice in three years, it is deserved so I’ll give that a pass.
GPHG should not be compared to the “Oscars” – the oscars are full of acrimony. The GPHG appears to have much more integrity. Thanks for the quick report!
Love the pic of the Octo crown poking the guy in the back of the hand , maybe wear the watch on the correct side of the wrist bone ? Newbie ?
Forgot to say you should do an article on why the Mr grey won and how it ever contended in the first place ?
Some of these awards are really awkward. Is the Luis Vuitton actually a diver?? As pretty as the Furlan Marri is, and there is nothing wrong the the tech itself, an award for a Seriko mechaquartz?? Iconic for the Royal Oak seems like the judges lack broader view… and the GP for thinnness, rthird time in a row when there are some prette cool other achievements in the selection… (well, I’m biased, because I just don’t like the Octo). One other observation: how very few really pretty (not to mention beautiful) watches were awarded…. perhaps another category for this is required…
It’s an industry event. Some of the winners may well be big sponsors of the event.
Would be great to have links to the aforementioned watches so we can understand what they really do ?
Also if you guys have it, the list of the other nominees for each category ?
It’s popcorn time !
@Antoine – the full list of nominees is here https://monochrome-watches.com/news-full-list-finalists-gphg-2021-announced/
Ray, is that a joke?? Every watch made to be worn on the left hand has the crown on the right side.
I think Ray means it’s being worn too close to the hand; needs to be further up the wrist.