Geneva once again became the epicenter of the global watchmaking industry this Saturday, November 7, for the 26th award ceremony of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG). With a cultural and institutional dimension reinforced by the presence of the Director-General of UNESCO, the event crowned the pinnacle of contemporary micromechanics. The most coveted accolade of the night, the esteemed Aiguille d’Or, was awarded to Rexhep Rexhepi for his superb Chronograph Flyback.
Rexhep Rexhepi and the Triumph of Artisanal Purism
That watchmaking’s highest distinction, the coveted Aiguille d’Or, goes to Rexhep Rexhepi’s Chronograph Flyback comes as no surprise to purists, representing instead the ultimate consecration of high-end independence. Trained in the finest Geneva traditions, Rexhepi founded his workshop (Atelier Akrivia) with an unwavering premise: to return a human soul to every component through hand-chamfering, manual polishing, and flawless mechanical architecture.
Rexhep Rexhepi’s triumph with the Chronograph Flyback marks a resounding milestone for independent haute horlogerie. His relentless pursuit of aesthetic perfection, manual component finishing, and structural purity have earned him the unanimous respect of an Academy comprising over 1,000 experts and an international jury chaired this year by Wei Koh.
The award-winning chronograph embodies this philosophy, blending dazzling technical complexity with immaculate legibility and neo-classical aesthetics. This GPHG recognition reaffirms that true contemporary vanguard lies in artisanal mastery and absolute control over finishes.
GPHG 2026 Official Prize List: The Major Awards
| Category | Brand / Maison | Awarded Model |
|---|---|---|
| “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix | Rexhep Rexhepi | Chronograph Flyback |
| Iconic Watch Prize | Audemars Piguet | Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-thin Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph RD#5 “150th Anniversary” |
| Special Jury Prize | Patek Philippe | Watch Art Grand Exhibition |
| Audacity Prize | Konstantin Chaykin | ThinKing Mystery |
| Chronometry Prize | Ferdinand Berthoud | Naissance d’une Montre 3 |
| Horological Revelation Prize | Dominique Renaud | Pulse60 Titanium Black |
| Mechanical Exception Watch Prize | Blancpain | Grande Double Sonnerie |
| Complication Watch Prize | Cleguer | Inspiration One |
| Chronograph Watch Prize | Parmigiani Fleurier | Tonda PF Chronographe Mystérieux |
| Tourbillon Watch Prize | Ferdinand Berthoud | Chronomètre FB 2TV |
| Sports Watch Prize | Grand Seiko | Spring Drive U.F.A. Ushio 300 Diver |
| Calendar and Astronomy Watch Prize | Audemars Piguet | 150 Heritage |
| Essential Watch Prize | Daniel Roth | Extra Plat Rose Gold Skeleton |
| Time Only Watch Prize | Chopard | L.U.C 1860 |
| Jewellery Watch Prize | Chopard | Mystery Nut |
| Artistic Crafts Watch Prize | Louis Vuitton | Tambour Taiko Arty Automata |
| Gemset Watch Prize | Piaget | Swinging Pebble |
| “Petite Aiguille” Watch Prize | Otsuka Lotec | No.8 |
| Challenge Watch Prize | SpaceOne | SpaceOne X Baltic – Seconde Majeure |
| Mechanical Clock Prize | La Vallée | Cosmo |
Following the exhibition at the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire in Geneva (open until November 15), the winning timepieces will embark on their journey to London, where they will be showcased at the Watches of Switzerland boutique in Knightsbridge from November 18 to 23.
More information and official media center: GPHG Official Website
