A month before the annual Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) announced its winners on November 9 at the Théâtre du Léman in Geneva, Switzerland, an impressive 84 out of the 90 watches nominated for these highly regarded awards, often referred to as the Oscars of the watchmaking industry, were put on display in Kuala Lumpur as part of a multi-city tour. This exclusive exhibition, the only stop in South East Asia, was hosted by the prominent specialist watch retailer, The Hour Glass, at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur from October 5th to 8th, 2023.
The showcased watches span across 14 of the awards' 15 categories and provided watch enthusiasts in the region with an opportunity to witness the epitome of contemporary watchmaking. These 14 categories included Men's and Ladies', Men's and Ladies' Complications, Iconic, Tourbillon, Calendar and Astronomy, Mechanical Exception, Chronograph, Sports, Jewellery, Artistic Crafts, Challenge or entry-level, and "Petite Aiguille" or mid-range priced watches. The exhibition did not, however, feature shortlisted entries for the Mechanical Clock category.
On October 4th, the night before the exhibition opened its doors to the public, a launch event brought together a diverse audience, including members of the media, watch enthusiasts, and The Hour Glass team from various regional offices, along with Valerie Boscat from the Foundation of the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève. This event provided an opportunity for guests to explore the exhibition at their own pace. Apart from admiring the watches and making predictions about category winners, attendees were particularly drawn to the GPHG trophy which was designed by Genevois graphic designer Roger Pfund, who is known for his work on the Swiss passport and various banknotes. The trophy is made of gilded bronze and crafted in Geneva, a historic hub of high watchmaking and to design it, Pfund took inspiration from Michelangelo's iconic fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, where God reaches out to touch Adam's extended hand.
The event also featured two captivating performances by New York native Q Sound, a multi-talented artist, and Aisha Retno, a Malaysian singer-songwriter and actress, who accompanied his 21-piece ensemble.
Throughout the exhibition's stay in Kuala Lumpur, The Hour Glass also hosted a series of workshops, including an intriguing watch photography workshop. Recognizing the importance of nurturing an early appreciation for the art of watchmaking, children also had the opportunity to participate in a DIY mechanical clock workshop and enjoyed a colouring session hosted by Hublot.
Malaysia served as the third stop on the exhibition's global tour, following Hong Kong and Macau. The tour continued to other cities, including New York, Geneva, Dubai and concluded in Zurich in early December.
"The GPHG is a distinctive organisation and platform that honours horological innovation, design and craftsmanship. By selecting Kuala Lumpur, it is an affirmation of this city’s growing importance in the watchmaking world. This is aligned with The Hour Glass’ mission to advance watch culture, offering our community of enthusiasts access to some of the most extraordinary watches of our generation,” said Mr. Michael Tay, Group Managing Director of The Hour Glass.
