The independent jury of professionals from the watchmaking industry appointed by «Montres Passion» magazine for the 19th «Montre de l’Année» award has taken a bold and pioneering step by choosing three ladies’ watches from about forty finalists for the top three places in the 2012 Watch of the Year contest. The jury went on to comment that these three timepieces are «imagined, designed and conceived as truly feminine watches, with mechanical movements that evidence superb workmanship, commendable finish and decoration».
As well as winning the first Jury Prize for the Watch of the Year 2012, the Héritage Phases de Lune Rétrograde 8860 model from Breguet was also chosen as Ladies’ Watch of the Year: this double triumph was due in particular to its «daring achievements in terms of aesthetics as well as watchmaking, combined with subtle finishing touches that display high quality»; the jury goes so far as to believe that these assets «will quickly promote it to the status of a new icon in the watchmaking world».
The Second Jury Prize went to Velvet from Roger Dubuis, in particular because it combines «slender elegance on the wrist with an original aesthetic approach». The jury considered that this «quintessential ladies’ watch marks a new peak in this manufacturer’s catalogue of achievements».
Third place was awarded to the Baignoire folle model from cartier, thanks in particular to its «iconic oval and cambered shape, the quality and delicacy of its setting» and − most of all − its dial, described as «playful, sexy, heady, exceptional, luminous, magical and even mischievous …».
The Jury’s Special «coup de coeur» Prize was awarded to Jaeger-Lecoultre, a watchmaker that can already look back on «a strong and incredibly rich track record thanks to the quality, originality and reliability of its creations»; this year, the firm has again premiered «several exceptional timepieces» including in particular its Duomètre Sphérotourbillon and Duomètre à Quantième Lunaire, its Reverso Répétition Minutes à Rideau Venise and Ultra Thin Squelette, as well as its Master Grande Tradition à Répétition Minutes and Ultra Thin Tourbillon.
As always, the shortlist of around 40 watches preselected by the jury was presented to the public for its consideration in an online ballot, held on a dedicated website, from 21 September to 12 October. After a total of several thousand votes had been counted, the tradition Breguet7067 GMt model from Breguet emerged as the winner and was therefore awarded the People’s Prize.
The prizes were presented to representatives of the winning brands and manufacturers at a ceremony on 26 October 2012 in Geneva, attended by over 600 prominent figures from the watchmaking world.
Since 1994, the purpose of the Watch of the Year Prize has been to promote the best watch creations of each year, in terms of technology as well as aesthetics. The Prize was established by «Montres Passion» magazine, published in French and German versions by Ringier Romandie. As an ambassador for Swiss quality watches, this reference magazine aims to contribute to the development of watchmaking culture.
Contact:
Didier Pradervand
Editor-in-Chief of Montres Passion
Ringier SA, Pont Bessières 3, CP 7289, CH-1002 Lausanne
Telephone: +41 21 331 77 80
Fax: +41 21 331 70 01
Email: [email protected]
