This week the horological awards season is officially upon us, as the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) – the ‘Oscars’ of the watch industry – announces its 2018 shortlist.

Celebrating the best in class, from dazzling jewellery pieces to mindboggling complications, this year’s event ushers in a number of changes. Among the most notable is the addition of the ‘Challenge’ category, dedicated to watches costing SFr 4,000 or under.

All eyes will be on who picks up this new accolade, with the likes of Longines, Nomos Glashütte and Seiko in the running. Joining them is Tudor with its Black Bay GMT, which sees the brand’s popular model enhanced with the practical addition of a multiple time-zone function. The Rolex subsidiary has long prided itself on offering high-end, precision watchmaking at an affordable price point and this is no exception, equipped with its in-house produced calibre MT5652 movement, complete with 70-hour power reserve and silicon balance-spring.

The winners of each category will be announced at a grand ceremony at the Théâtre du Léman in Geneva on 9 November.

gphg.org; tudorwatch.com