Following a captivating first chapter in Shanghai, the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) 2025 travelling exhibition has opened its doors in Istanbul, where it will run until 20 October. The second stop on the global tour brings the year’s most exceptional timepieces to Turkey, in a setting that fuses artistry, heritage, and diplomacy.
Hosted by the Vakko fashion group at its private hotel overlooking the Bosphorus, the exhibition invites guests to immerse themselves in the world of haute horlogerie. Visitors can explore 90 nominated timepieces, each competing for one of the GPHG’s 20 awards, including the coveted Aiguille d’Or Grand Prix.
The inauguration ceremony, held yesterday, was attended by Turkish dignitaries and Swiss Ambassador to Turkey, His Excellency Guillaume Scheurer, underscoring the event’s diplomatic resonance — particularly as Switzerland and Turkey mark the centenary of their diplomatic relations this year.
Cem Hakko, President of the Vakko group, reflected on the significance of the collaboration:
“This exhibition is not only a tribute to fine watchmaking, but also a celebration of time as an art form — honouring craftsmanship, elegance, and cultural dialogue. Our vision is to bridge past and future, local values and universal aesthetics.”
Echoing this sentiment, Raymond Loretan, President of the GPHG Foundation, remarked:
“Istanbul offers an exceptional setting where cultures, histories and creative energies meet. The Bosphorus, a bridge between East and West, perfectly symbolizes the spirit of the GPHG — a celebration of the universal art of watchmaking that transcends borders and brings people together.”
After Istanbul, the GPHG exhibition will travel to Geneva, where the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire will showcase all nominated watches from 29 October to 16 November. The journey will conclude at Dubai Watch Week from 19 to 23 November, where the 2025 winners will be honoured following the 25th GPHG awards ceremony in Geneva on 13 November — broadcast live on gphg.org at 6pm CET.
With Istanbul as its current stage, the GPHG 2025 exhibition stands as more than a showcase of mechanical mastery — it is a dialogue between craftsmanship and culture, a celebration of time itself as a bridge between worlds.
