The Results of the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix 2012, And MB&F Do The Double!

The results of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) 2012 are in and MB&F have done the double.  

The MB&F Legacy Machine N° 1 was perhaps considered a tame and docile addition to the MB&F family, considering the visual impact of it's siblings.  The piece was, after all designed with more than a nod to traditional pocketwatch construction and it had as it's power source a pocketwatch-inspired calibre, hand wound with a large balance wheel and a slow rate of oscillation beating at 18,000 bph providing the wearer with a noteworthy rest between the ticks.  To create it Max Büsser employed the skills of Jean-François Mojon, creator of the Opus X and Kari Voutilainen the Finnish Master Watchmaker, an expert in fine detailing, a man not used to signing his name on anything other than his own creations.  Both Watchmakers worked to create the LM1 Calibre.  The piece has not only a unique calibre but also a unique dial arrangement, high-domed and magnificent in every way.  When I reviewed it I described it's dial as having "perfect parity and symmetry".  I loved it then and I love it still - and I am not alone, not only did the jury of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève  consider it worthy of the prize for "Men's Watch", but the Legacy Machine N° 1 also received the public vote too.

Here are the rest of the results....

“Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix TAG Heuer, Mikrogirder - supremely technical and mind-blowingly fast.

- Special Jury Prize Société Suisse de Chronométrie (SSC) - A well deserved accolade for an acclaimed organisation.

- Ladies’ Watch Prize Chanel Première Tourbillon Volant - The collection is now 25 years old and this edition is particularly beautiful and technically accomplished.

- Men’s Watch Prize MB&F, Legacy Machine N°1 - What can I say - unique Calibre, unique dial arrangement.

- Innovation Prize HYT, H1 Titane Black DLC - Liquid display of time - a truly innovational piece.

- Jewellery and Artistic Crafts Watch Prize, Chopard Imperiale Tourbillon Full Set - not simply sparkly but a demonstration of the brand's gem-setting expertise.

- Best Complicated Watch Prize Greubel Forsey, Invention Piece 2 -  A Quadruple tourbillon arrangement with a case which bulges to contain them.

- Sports Watch Prize Habring2, Doppel 2.0 - Superb whisker-slim double seconds hands which stretch to the edge of a suitably plain dial.

- “Petite Aiguille” Prize, Zenith Pilot Big Date Special - One of a trio of Pilot's watches released by Zenith this year and a worthy and thrifty addition to their portfolio.

- Best Watchmaker Prize Carole Forestier Kasapi - Proof, if it were needed that this industry promotes the work of women too.

- Public Prize MB&F, Legacy Machine N°1 - A watch to lust after, and so say all of us.

My original review of the MB&F Legacy Machine N°1 affirms my guilty pleasure regarding this watch.