Credits: Article and images by Joshua Munchow @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2023/11/07/joshua-munchows-thoughts-and-predictions-for-the-2023-grand-prix-dhorlogerie-de-geneve-gphg/
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Mechanical Clock Category
Continuing the success of having a separate clock category, this year we see another amazing set of mechanical clocks at all different price levels.
This also introduces a massive problem that may be unavoidable, the most expensive clock is 638 times more expensive than the more affordable one, clocking in at CHF 2.58 million, meaning that it sort of is an automatic winner for being the most complex, high-end, innovative piece.
Clock category finalists in the 2023 GPHG
A basic and classic mantel clock cannot go up against an ultra-complicated automata engineered to be a historically significant piece of horology history. It just can’t.
So while my winner for this category is both obvious and logically impossible to beat, it does not negate the quality and creativity of the rest of the pieces.
Start with the Mathhew Normal Diaphane, a modern design version of a classic mantel clock at a reasonable price. The style is visually distinct and would be an awesome conversation piece on someone’s mantel, and at that price it could even be mine.
The main competition for this piece, the Maison Alcée Persée Azur, provides a different aesthetic that sits somewhat in the same area, but provides an experience with the purchase. It was designed to be a kit that intrepid watch and clock lovers can put together on their own with an included set of tools, making this a clock that would convey a true sense of ownership, something that surprised me completely at its price point.
Out of all the clocks here, being one I could possibly purchase and would allow me to put it together before finally hearing it chime the hour, it may be the most personal clock that exists in the competition.
But it also is not enough to take down the top piece for all the reasons I started with at the beginning. The next grouping of clocks are where a lot of the creativity and value reside, all being somewhere in the same price range and being wildly different.
The Unanmed Society Champion Macassar is an absolutely wild clock that takes the form of a futbol sitting on a winding ribbon of metal, enclosing a very cool jumping hours clock that sits underneath a tiny football pitch where you can actually try to score penalty kicks. The intended audience is rather focused but the implementation and execution is incredible.
A perpetual favorite for watch and clock lovers, L’Epee made a contribution with the Time Fast II Chrome, a literal race car clock that uses the functions of the car to interact with the movement including pulling the car backwards on its rubber wheels to wind the movement and the automaton, turning the steering wheel to set the time, shifting the gear lever to switch between winding functions, and turning the key to “start” the engine automaton.
This clock is fantastic and innovative, and shows why L’Epee is a leader in unique clocks. But once again I don’t know if it outpaces the one I’ve chosen to win.
My favorite runner up is the Alain Silberstein Travel Alarm Clock iZman due to both its distinct style and rather useful functionality. Any travel alarm is awesome, and one with a dual time zone and 8-days of power reserve is very practical, and the aesthetic design, while not universally loved, is such a fun companion on your travels.
And compared to my chosen winner it is surprisingly affordable, only costing as much as a nice car compared to a Beverly Hills mansion.
But that brings me to the one I’ve chosen to win, the Van Cleef & Arpels Éveil du Cyclamen Automaton. This piece is arguably one of the finest clock automatons ever made, much like others produced by Van Cleef and Arpels, and it has no equal in this category.
Is a museum level unique piece the best clock for most people? No, not at all, but it does provide a level of horology that should humble anyone interested in miniaturized mechanics.
Since I doubt we will ever have a “Mechanical Exception – Clock” category separate from a “Petite Aiguille – Clock” category, it is unlikely that anything other than these masterpieces can win, regardless of how cool or how much value they can provide. Perhaps the jury will see this and give the Van Cleef & Arpels a special prize to separate it from the more realistic pieces, but if not then it clearly is the cream of the crop.
Winner – Van Cleef & Arpels Éveil du Cyclamen Automaton
Favorite Runner Up – Alain Silberstein Travel Alarm Clock iZman
Surprise – Maison Alcée Persée Azur
You can watch the GPHG live on Quill & Pad from 18:30 CET, Thursday the 9th of October.
For more information on all of these watches, please visit www.gphg.org/horlogerie/en/gphg-2023/nominated-timepieces
You might also enjoy:
Ian’s Predicted Winners of the 2023 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG)
Martin Green’s Thoughts and Predictions for the 2023 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG)
Credits: Article and images by Joshua Munchow @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2023/11/07/joshua-munchows-thoughts-and-predictions-for-the-2023-grand-prix-dhorlogerie-de-geneve-gphg/
