Two young watch brands awarded at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève

Jointly presented by Adriana Karembeu and Frédéric Beigbeder, the prize-giving ceremony of the 12th Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix (GPHG) was held in the Grand Théâtre de Genève this Thursday November 15th 2012. The glittering event was attended by Federal Councillor Alain Berset, representatives of the Geneva authorities, along with the most influential figures in the watch industry, all of whom had gathered to celebrate the 12th Art.
 
Created in 2001 and overseen since 2011 by a Foundation, the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix contributes to the international renown and influence of the watch industry and of its values: innovation, perpetuating expertise across generations and a constant quest for excellence. These shared core values are also upheld by the main partner of the GPHG Foundation, the Banque Privée Edmond de Rothschild. Since 2011, the latter annually rewards the best young student at the Geneva Watchmaking School by granting a scholarship.
 
Once again this year, the public was also able to make its choice among the 70 watches pre-selected by the jury. The Public Prize is awarded by visitors to the Geneva exhibition and by internet visitors who voted for their favourite watch on the www.gphg.org or www.worldtempus.com websites. This year the public selected the LM1 of MB&F, a brand founded in 2005 in Geneva by Martin Büsser.
 
A few minutes after he received the first prize, Maximilian Bu_sser was called back on stage to accept another prize: Best Men’s Watch! According to industry experts, this is the first time in Grand Prix history that the same watch is rewarded a prize both from the public and the professional jury.
 
MB&F was not the only company which was awarded during the show. HYT, a start-up founded in 2011, won in the category innovation. HYT is a Watch Brand evolving in the upper luxury market creating exclusive hybrid mechanical timepieces for watch connoisseurs.