NEWS: The GPHG has announced the full list of finalists for 2019, and we’re pretty excited by these 5 contenders 

NEWS: The GPHG has announced the full list of finalists for 2019, and we’re pretty excited by these 5 contenders 

Felix Scholz

Overnight, the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève dropped the list of their 84 pre-selected watches, which will be judged within an inch of their lives and presented to an adoring crowd of industry professionals. 

You can check the full list over at the GPHG site. There’s a lot to dive into, and quite a few of the categories are a little esoteric or academic. It’s fair to say that there are a few categories that are more popular with punters than others, and in that realm, we’re excited by the following contestants …

Chronograph – the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT 

This category is all about start, stop and reset. It’s a strong field — as you’d expect, given the popularity for the complication — with Chronograph-focused brands like Hublot, TAG Heuer and Zenith all bringing something to the table. Our pick, though, has to be the Ultra-Thin Bulgari. It’s a brilliant piece of engineering, looks great and even throws a GMT into the mix. 

Diver’s – the  Seiko Prospex LX

This category doesn’t need too much in the way of explanation – it’s about watches that go deep. There are some strong niche contenders and a solid ceramic entry from Longines but, at the end of the day, the chunky, reliable Seiko Prospex LX rose to the top of the pack for us. 

Chronometry – the TAG Heuer Isograph 

Chronometry – TAG Heuer Autavia Isograph

If precision timekeeping is your cup of tea, 2019 is a good year for you. And while the Defy Inventor from Zenith offered a compelling argument, the everyman charms of the TAG Heuer Autavia Isograph have won us over. 

Challenge – the  Doxa SUB 200

If you’re looking for an award-winning watch under 4000 CHF, you’ll want to be paying attention to the Challenge category. Fun fact: it’s the only category where a smartwatch is OK. Having said that, we’ve opted for something much more traditional — the versatile Doxa SUB 200. It might not be as funky as the Gorilla or the Ming, but it’s a solid, heritage-inspired looker.

Petite Aiguille – the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Spitfire

If you’re looking for a lot of watch for a little more money than the Challenge category, this is where it’s at. And for once, the winner (in our eyes at least) is clear. The bronze case and green dial of the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Spitfire is a stunning combination in a perennially popular package.