Oscar Watches Breaks Tradition... at the 2026 Geneva Awards

In a notable shift in the world of luxury watches, the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, known as the “Oscars of Watchmaking,” has changed its competition criteria for its 26th edition by focusing on technical features rather than classifying watches according to the gender of their wearers.

Organizers have eliminated the men’s and women’s watch categories and introduced two new categories: “The Basic Watch” and “The Complications Watch,” which include additional mechanical functions such as calendars and chronographs.

The change aims to keep pace with market developments, while adding a category for watches set with gemstones not exceeding six carats, and dedicating a jewelry category to exceptional designs.

The “Iconic Watch” award is now open to eligible models even if they are not officially entered into the competition.

The 2026 edition will see 84 timepieces competing across 14 categories for one of 19 awards, with results to be announced in Geneva on November 7.

Despite the event’s prestige, several prominent brands are absent, including Rolex, Patek Philippe, Cartier, and Vacheron Constantin. Additionally, Breguet is ineligible to compete this year after winning the Grand Prix in the previous edition.

Russian watchmaker Konstantin Chaykin is also participating, presenting an ultra-thin watch he describes as the thinnest commercially produced mechanical watch in the world.