FRIDAY WIND DOWN: A week of awards with Hamilton’s BTCA and the GPHGs

Zach Blass

This week seems to be the week of awards shows. I was in California last weekend for the Hamilton Behind the Camera Awards, while today Andrew was at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.

The Hamilton Behind the Camera Awards celebrate the hard work of those who work behind the scenes in the movie industry, but whose names do not appear in lights.  As part of the press experience, Hamilton organised a VIP tour of Paramount Studios, where we were able to explore the historic home of many of the greatest film and TV productions ever made. Right from the get-go I was able to get my hands on an actual Oscars award, and yes they are quite heavy at 8.5 lbs.

One of the highlights of the day was getting to see Tom Cruise’s Top Gun: Maverick helmet up close. Great balls o’ fire, I had the chills being in its presence.

I could go on and on about the various film memorabilia and lots I got to explore, whether Tom Hank’s Forrest Gump running sneakers or Will Ferrel’s Ron Burgundy red suit, but later that day it was time to get to work – hitting the red carpet suited up and armed with Hamilton’s new American Classic Railroad Pocket.

See… all things circle back to Top Gun for me, I guess. Because early on the red carpet Top Gun: Maverick star Monica Barbaro (Phoenix) struck a pose for us. Though, respectfully we did not chat all things IWC on Hamilton’s big night. Over the next hour, I got to see, snap and chat with many other big actors, directors, editors and writers, but one individual stood out for sure.

Paul Adelstein is one of the many stars in the upcoming film The Menu with Ralph Fiennes and JLC ambassadors Nicholas Hoult and Anya Taylor Joy. Without realising it, Paul was on brand for the evening wearing his father’s ’70s Pulsar P4 watch – a predecessor of today’s PSR. He explained how precious the watch was to him, and how protective his father was of it. As a child he was not allowed anywhere near it, and it was not until his father passed it onto him that he ever got to strap it to onto his wrist. Now, although in need of a service, he wears it on any special occasion.

Inside, Fortune Feimster hosted the award show with many other celebrity presenters coming to the stage to present awards. Like last year, I really enjoyed seeing such talented, yet lesser seen, filmmakers who work in the shadows behind the camera getting their due and praise.

Just hours ago, Andrew found himself in the auditorium watching the horological world’s most prestigious awards show: the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG). For those who don’t know, it is basically the Oscars of watchmaking – you can find the full list of prize winners below.

“Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix: MB&F, Legacy Machine Sequential Evo

Ladies’ Watch Prize: Parmigiani Fleurier, Tonda PF Automatic

Ladies’ Complication Watch Prize: Hermès, Arceau Le temps voyageur

Men’s Watch Prize: Akrivia, Chronomètre Contemporain II

Men’s Complication Watch Prize: Hermès, Arceau Le temps voyageur

Iconic Watch Prize: TAG Heuer, Monaco X Gulf

Tourbillon Watch Prize: H. Moser & Cie, Pioneer Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton

Calendar and Astronomy Watch Prize: Krayon, Anywhere

Mechanical Exception Watch Prize: Ferdinand Berthoud, FB 2RSM.2-1

Chronograph Watch Prize: Grönefeld, 1941 Grönograaf Tantalum

Diver’s Watch Prize: Tudor, Pelagos FXD

Jewellery Watch Prize: Bulgari, Serpenti Misteriosi High Jewellery

Artistic Crafts Watch Prize: Voutilainen, Ji-Ku “Petite Aiguille” Prize: Trilobe, Nuit Fantastique Dune Edition

Challenge Watch Prize: M.A.D. Editions, M.A.D.1 Red

Mechanical Clock Prize: Van Cleef & Arpels, Fontaine Aux Oiseaux automaton

Innovation Prize: Van Cleef & Arpels, Lady Arpels Heures Florales Cerisier watch

Audacity Prize: Bulgari, Octo Finissimo Ultra 10th Anniversary

Chronometry Prize: Grand Seiko, Kodo Constant-force Tourbillon

“Horological Revelation” Prize: Sylvain Pinaud, Origine

Special Jury Prize: François Junod, automaton-maker and sculptor

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Zach

Watch meme of the week: Don’t purchase on the rhythm method

We often say as collectors “one in one out”, referring to a collecting policy of selling a watch to offset the cost of the next purchase. My pro tip: do not buy multiple watches that scratch a temporary itch. Hold out for the one that, when it comes in, will never leave your collection.

Wrist shot of the week: Pebble Party

It’s a Cartier Pebble party. Do I even need to explain myself any further?

Time+Tide Shop select of the week: Wolf Cub Winder with Cover Orange

Young, smart and uncomplicated, the Cub takes care of your watch with ease. Six sides are perfectly proportioned to encase your timepiece safely and precisely. The watch winder features orange vegan leather, chrome-finished hardware and a single winding module.

Order now in the Time+Tide Shop. Price: AUD$565 

Our favourite Time+Tide coverage of the week:

INTRODUCING: The Ball Roadmaster Pilot GMT Chocolate will add a few Twix up your sleeve

Some say that it’s a fashion faux-pas to mix black with brown, but rules are meant to be broken. Just as steel and gold can work together if you’ve got the attitude, a two-tone colour scheme of black and brown can bring some gloriously retro vibes to your wrist, sharing in the indulgent and decadent nature of chocolate. The Ball Roadmaster Pilot GMT is now available in three brand new configurations, all featuring the love-it-or-hate-it colour. Read the full introducing review here.

HANDS-ON: The Hublot Big Bang Unico Essential Grey Limited Edition

 

 

With a collection name like Big Bang, the word “discrete” usually would not come to mind. But the Hublot Big Bang Unico Essential Grey and its monochromatic look provides a stealthier aesthetic within the collection. Read or watch the full hands-on review here.

HANDS-ON: The Delma Montego is a bold chronograph with plenty of macho swagger

 

 

A company had to muster real tenacity to make it through the quartz crisis, but Delma managed to thrive instead of survive during those tough years, continuing to honour the art of traditional mechanical watchmaking. Despite this, they’re not talked about as much as they perhaps deserve to be, and so we’ve been taking a closer look at their collections. In addition to the Cayman Bronze and the Quattro released earlier this year, the Delma Montego offers an impressively strong sports chronograph. Read or watch the full hands-on review here.