Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève 2022 Nominated Watches

Photo: GPHG

The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), regarded as one of the year’s biggest significant events, brings together the top names in the watch industry every November in Geneva. Out of 254 submissions, the 650 representatives of the GPHG as champions chose 90 watches during this year’s contest before the major ceremony. Moreover, twenty prizes, such as the renowned “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix best-in-show reward, are split into 15 groups for the 84 timepieces and six clocks.

The GPHG established 22 years ago, began as a very low-key event. However, it has developed into a significant force in the wristwatch business and a venue in which the top companies worldwide compete for boasting privileges and social media influence.

The following were some of the shortlisted watches for this year’s awards:

• The Monaco Gulf Special Edition

The TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf watch symbolizes the love of racing that motivates both TAG Heuer and its enduring partner, Gulf. With a beautiful variant of the TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf Edition, TAG Heuer and Gulf yet again honor this mutual interest for the 2022 version.

The TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf Special Edition is more elegant and has a lovely design. Moreover, it is powered by the in-house Heuer 02 movement contained in the exquisite finish and glossy steel casing.

On the other hand, the TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf is still centered on the three classic hues of the Gulf for this latest special version. However, this time it comes in a more modern color scheme: the distinctive deep blue, orange, and turquoise.

The TAG Heuer Monaco’s elegant design blends with the slick Gulf accents on the piece’s dial. Additionally, the exquisite Gulf highlights are prominently displayed, but for the inaugural time, the 3 colors are also visible on the minute sub-counters placed at three o’clock. The Gulf emblem on the dial is white, a first in the Monaco Gulf watch versions. Likewise, the opaline sunray polished dial gives the timepiece a unique artistic contrast that highlights its elegance.

Lastly, the oscillatory weight and column wheel have a particular etching on the rear of the TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf Special Edition that is tinted to complement the Gulf orange Pantone. The band is also composed of split blue calfskin leather featuring an orange inlay to complement the watch’s sporting yet chic appearance.

• Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph

The Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph, slightly obscured among the other 2022 TAG Heuer premieres, tells numerous stories regarding this enduring Swiss designer. The novel watch shows a cautious yet steady movement by Swiss watchmakers to incorporate increased durability into their goods, as well as into their everyday activities. It also marks TAG Heuer’s first venture into the light-powered timepiece market.

The watch’s 40-millimeter black DLC-treated stainless steel brand-new solar-powered movement was created and manufactured by La Joux-Perret, a Swiss movement manufacturer that Citizen owns. Additionally, sunlight illuminates the typical SuperLuminova components of the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph’s dial, indexes, and bezel. It also fuels the timepiece’s movement. Nevertheless, every bezel is fundamentally a little different, thanks to the distinctive motif created when the SuperLuminova combines black carbon in bezel manufacture.

Lastly, the timepiece’s battery won’t require to be changed due to the solargraph mechanism, which can be recharged in natural or artificial lighting. Hence, it can function for a whole day following two minutes in direct sunshine and last for up to 6 months if completely charged after around 20 hours in the light. The user simply needs to subject the clock to illumination for another 10 seconds to restart it when it stops functioning.

• Carrera Plasma Diamant D’avant-Garde

Another of TAG Heuer’s more intriguing 2022 releases was a sporting Carrera featuring lab-grown diamonds. The TAG Heuer Carrera Plasma sets new standards for lab-grown diamonds and incorporating diamonds into the watch without losing its sporty appeal. Moreover, this design features diamonds throughout the dial, the casing flanks, and the crown, which is one enormous 2.5-karat lab-grown diamond. Despite this, the timepiece yet manages to have a subdued appearance.

Besides the unusual usage of lab-grown diamonds totaling about 12 karats, TAG Heuer has developed a 44 mm casing identical to the Carrera Chrono. However, it is built of incredibly lightweight sandblasted aluminum.

The “unique polycrystalline diamond dial” is the total of crystals produced as one. This is yet another intriguing aspect of lab-grown diamonds that enabled a smooth dial form with only one diamond. There are 12 baguette-cut lab-grown diamonds above the dial.

On the other hand, the TAG Heuer H02 Tourbillon Nanograph movement is housed beneath the dial. It also has a cutting-edge carbon hairspring created internally by the TAG Heuer Foundation. Likewise, the Carrera Plasma is finished with a black leather strap and a grade 2 ADLC-coated fastening.

Overall, TAG Heuer claims this is only the beginning of their Diamant d’Avant-Garde series.

• The Aquaracer Professional 1000 Superdiver

The Aquaracer Professional 1000 Superdiver from TAG Heuer is the larger, more advanced sibling of the Aquaracer Professional 300. The 1,000-meter depth limit is appropriate for even the most ardent capacity divers, and a collaboration with Kenissi Manufacture SA gives the company a brand-new movement.

The 1984 Super Professional and the 1982 Heuer 1000 meter diver, both made for pro divers and a little beyond their time, are two watches inspired by this watch. So when it comes to deep-sea diving, the company is not new to pushing the limits.

The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 1000 Superdiver’s casing measures 45 millimeters in diameter and 15.75mm in height, which is substantial for deeper diving. The caseback and a number of small components are made of varying materials, but the majority of the watch is constructed of 5th-grade titanium. This makes it lighter on the wrist for prolonged dives, and titanium is remarkably anti-corrosion.

The ceramic inlay is black and features a unique orange alloy for the 15-minute display. The bidirectional revolving bezel is also a dodecagon (12-sided form). The screw-down crown is protected entirely by a steel crown shield; it has a black DLC coating and an orange cover surrounding the crown cylinder. Therefore, divers can use this to inspect whether it is fastened down visually.