A Trove of Watches at Stephen Silver are Nominated for Awards at the Grand Prix D’Horologerie de Geneve
Each year’s best and most creative watches are recognized by an international academy under the auspices of the Grand Prix D’Horologerie de Geneve (GPHG) And while we often mention the quality and uniqueness of our watch offerings, an event like the GPHG ceremony in November—widely considered the Oscars of watchmaking—really puts this in perspective. The nominees for this year’s awards are now in, and no less than fourteen nominations were secured by our brands, with many of the watches on the wrists of our happy customers. This year’s haul of nominations is a record for us and represents a milestone in the appreciation of independent watches. Here they are in the categories in which they were nominated.
Bovet Miss Audrey Sweet Art
Ladies’
The use of colored sugar crystals on the dial unquestionably represents “out of the box” thinking for Bovet. Nevertheless, the brand went to pains to make this new decorative technique consistent with their more traditional metiers d’art. The result is never-before-seen colors and textures, as well as a story to amuse and delight its owner.
Bovet Recital 23
Ladies’
Bovet has featured the moon phase complication in a feminine oval case for a number of years. This year’s Recital 23 takes its complexity and decoration to a higher level. The case features the angled “writing desk” case shape the brand has applied to its high complications. The moon phase display is luminescent, engraved to evoke the surface of the moon, and easily adjustable with a pusher.
Louis Erard Le Semaine Louis Erard X Alain Silberstein
Men’s
One of our newest brands, Louis Erard, has received widespread acclaim by teaming up with cult watch designer Alain Silberstein. Featuring Silberstein’s unique colored livery and hands, this day of the week model is both affordable and completely striking.
MB&F LM 101 Double Hairspring
Men’s
The update to the LM 101, MB&F’s most basic and approachable model, quickly became a highly sought-after watch. The new colors and the inclusion of a double hairspring on the elevated balance separated the watch from previous versions.
Hermes H08
Men’s
Many observers were struck by Hermes’ willingness to experiment with new case and dial designs—exactly what watch buyers are currently seeking. The new H08 successfully bridges mid-century design codes with ultramodern curves and colors.
Bulgari Octo Roma Worldtimer
Men’s Complication
With a tip of the hat to some of the great worldtime watches of the past, Bulgari has married this great twentieth-century complication to its Octo Roma case. The watch features an all-new integrated movement designed for ease of use and makes an ideal traveling companion.
MB&F LMX Titanium
Men’s Complication
Of all the recent ten-year anniversary editions of MB&F’s most popular watches, none has been more well-received than LMX, a complete reimagining of the brand’s first Legacy Machine, the LM1. Both the dial and the movement have been given a new architecture that emphasizes radial symmetry on the round case. The watch quickly became one of the brand’s most hard-to-get watches.
De Bethune Kind of Two Tourbillon
Tourbillon
De Bethune has lately found success marrying its futuristic design principles to select traditional watchmaking codes. This is most apparent in its double-faced Kind of Two Tourbillon, which on one side features the movement of its DB 28 Tourbillon, and a more conventional, but still thoroughly De Bethune dial on the opposite face.
Arnold & Son Luna Magna
Calendar and Astronomy
Arnold & Son is back at Stephen Silver, and with it, its latest creation, the Luna Magna, sporting an oversized, three-dimensional moon phase display. The moon is a suitable combination of marble and adventurine and represents the largest display of its type ever attempted.
Bulgari Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar
Calendar and Astronomy
The latest world record coming from Bulgari’s ultra-thin skunkworks in Le Sentier is the Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar. Not only does the watch sport jaw droopingly thin dimensions and the striking design of the brand’s Octo shape, but the display also features a retrograde hand, a particular favorite of Gerald Genta, the Octo’s original designer.
Angelus U30 Black Tourbillon Flyback and Split Seconds Chronograph
Chronograph
Another new brand at Stephen Silver is Angelus, a well-regarded maker of chronographs that have lately been reborn as an ultra-modern, design-forward brand. Of note is its open-worked U30 diving tourbillon, the latest version of which adds a rattrapante chronograph complication. It’s an intriguing mix of qualities that represents a high degree of value in its class.
Louis Erard Le Chronograph Monopoussoir Louis Erard X Alain Silberstein
Chronograph
The second collaboration between Louis Erard and Alain Silberstein to be nominated proves the appeal of this horological combination. This model is a single-pusher chronograph and features the same unmistakable design signature and value proposition as the other pieces in the collection.
MB&F LM SE Eddy Jaquet “Around the World in 80 Days”
Artistic Crafts
The few customers who had the opportunity to view MB&F’s highly limited collaboration with master engraver Eddy Jaquet were astonished at the results of this Jules Verne-inspired effort. The dial of the Legacy Machine split escapement provides a remarkable canvas for metiers d’art, and we can only imagine there will be more to follow.
Louis Erard Le Regulateur Louis Erard X Vianney Halter
Petit Aiguille
The third nomination for Louis Erard adds some of the signature design touches of independent watchmaking legend Vianney Halter to Louis Erard’s regulator model. The nomination for this particular category is for the best watch under $11,000, a significant milestone for the redeveloped brand.
For information on these and more timepieces, now available in the Silicon Valley area through Stephen Silver Fine Jewelry, please don’t hesitate to contact our SF Bay Area boutique for details, pre-orders, or private appointments.