Is the GPHG really the Oscars of watchmaking?
The Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) is often billed as "the Oscars of watchmaking", but how well does the comparison stand up?
Two academies, founded the opposite way round
Even the most cursory glance at the history of the Oscars (aka the "Academy Awards") shows up some pretty big discrepancies. The Academy behind the Oscars was founded on 11 May 1927, two years before the first Oscars were handed out. In the case of the GPHG, the Academy was established in 2020, some nineteen years after the first watch prizes were awarded in 2001.
Entering is optional
Another big difference is that every serious film studio puts its films forward for the Oscars, whereas watch brands choose whether to enter their watches in the GPHG, and many don't. As such, the GPHG is not a full reflection of the world's watchmaking talent. Rolex, one of the biggest names in the industry, has entered just twice in the competition's history: the Milgauss and the Yacht-Master II in 2007. Neither made the shortlist, and it hasn't been back since.
Who votes
The composition of the Academy itself is also hugely different. The Oscars Academy (about 11,300 members) is over ten times the size of the GPHG's (about 1,050) and consists of voters who are judging their peers. The GPHG Academy consists of journalists and retailers (among others), who by their very nature have commercial links to the brands participating in the competition.
How the winners are chosen
The nominations and voting are incomparable. The Oscars Academy is split into 19 branches, each of which nominates the films in its own field, and the entire Academy then votes for the winners, with Best Picture decided by a ranked ballot. For the GPHG, there is only one Academy, which votes in the summer to pick six finalists in each category. In the final vote, a 24-member jury accounts for two-thirds of the result and a second online Academy vote makes up the remaining third. Half of the jury is drawn by lot from the Academy and the other half is chosen by the president of the jury. One of the seats goes to a representative of the brand that won the previous year's Aiguille d'Or: in 2026, that's Breguet.
| At a glance | Oscars | GPHG |
|---|---|---|
| Academy founded | 1927, two years before the first awards | 2020, nineteen years after the first prizes |
| Academy size | About 11,300 | About 1,050 |
| Who can compete | Any film that meets the release rules and is submitted | Only watches their brands choose to enter |
| Who picks the finalists | 19 specialist branches, each in its own field | The whole Academy |
| Who picks the winners | The whole Academy | A 24-member jury (two-thirds) and the Academy (one-third) |
| Prizes | 24 competitive categories | About 20 prizes |
Where the comparison holds
There are similarities. Each GPHG jury member examines every shortlisted watch in person, and Oscar voters must now confirm that they have watched every nominee in a category before they can vote in it. The two also hand out a similar number of prizes: the Oscars have 24 competitive categories, and the GPHG awarded 20 prizes in 2025.
One difference that the GPHG organisers are probably happy about is that the GPHG has not yet announced the wrong winner, as happened at the Oscars in 2017.
The 2026 GPHG prizes are awarded in Geneva on 7 November. All 84 finalists are on the 2026 edition page, with every past winner on the history page. For what the jury actually rewards, see the GPHG strike rate, and for the houses that keep winning everything except the top prize, Always the bridesmaid.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the GPHG called the Oscars of watchmaking?
Because it is the watch industry's best-known annual awards, held at a gala ceremony in Geneva with a golden trophy, the Aiguille d'Or, as its top prize. The comparison is loose: unlike the Oscars, entry is optional, and the GPHG's Academy was created in 2020, nineteen years after the first prizes.
How are GPHG winners chosen?
The GPHG Academy, about 1,050 people, votes to pick six finalists in each category. In the final round a 24-member jury, who examine every finalist in person, provide two-thirds of the vote, and a second Academy vote provides the remaining third.
How big is the GPHG Academy compared with the Oscars Academy?
The GPHG Academy has about 1,050 members. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has about 11,300, more than ten times as many.
Has Rolex ever entered the GPHG?
Twice, in 2007, with the Milgauss and the Yacht-Master II. Neither was shortlisted and Rolex has not entered since.
How many prizes does the GPHG award?
About 20 a year, including the Aiguille d'Or. The 2025 edition awarded 20. The Oscars have 24 competitive categories.