The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) has embarked on its 2025 world tour, beginning in the vibrant city of Shanghai. The event’s launch took place at the historic Bund 33, a location that perfectly complements the timeless elegance and tradition of Swiss watchmaking. This exhibition, running until October 8, shines a spotlight on 84 nominated watches and six mechanical clocks, each vying for the prestigious awards that celebrate the pinnacle of horological craftsmanship.
Organized in collaboration with Hantang Culture, the exhibition unites over 50 esteemed watch brands. The showcase is thoughtfully curated around the Chinese cyclical perception of time, blending artistic expression with cultural symbolism. Beyond simply highlighting the precision and beauty of fine watchmaking, this year’s event also commemorates the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Switzerland, adding a layer of historical and cultural significance to the display.
Jessica Yu, founder and president of Hantang Culture, reflects on the journey her organization has shared with the fine watchmaking industry. She describes the Shanghai exhibition as a cultural rediscovery, a moment that reinforces renewed confidence and enthusiasm within the watchmaking community. For Yu and her team, the event is more than an exhibition—it is a celebration of the evolving relationship between tradition and modernity in the world of horology.
Highlighting the importance of the Chinese market, Raymond Loretan, president of the GPHG Foundation, emphasized the special significance of launching the world tour in Shanghai. He acknowledged the dynamic nature of China’s watch market and praised Hantang Culture’s instrumental role in merging Swiss watchmaking heritage with Chinese cultural perspectives on time. This collaboration symbolizes both a commercial and cultural exchange that enriches the global appreciation of fine watches.
The 2025 GPHG world tour is set to continue its journey beyond Shanghai, traveling to Istanbul for the first time from October 15 to 20. The exhibition will then be housed at Geneva’s Musée d’Art et d’Histoire from October 29 to November 16, where the awards ceremony will take place on November 13. This marks the 25th edition of the GPHG, with a live broadcast scheduled on gphg.org at 6 p.m. CET. Wrapping up the tour, Dubai Watch Week will host the winning timepieces from November 19 to 23, providing yet another platform to celebrate excellence in watchmaking.
With 90 timepieces nominated for 20 coveted prizes, including the distinguished “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix, this year’s GPHG exhibition showcases the ingenuity, skill, and innovation defining contemporary watchmaking. More than a competition, the event acts as a cultural bridge, bringing together East and West through the shared language of time, craftsmanship, and artistic vision.
