Kosovo-born Swiss watchmaker Rexhep Rexhepi has won the 2026 “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix, the watchmaking industry’s most prestigious honour. He received the award at the 26th edition of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, held in Switzerland, IPN reports.
According to GPHG, 20 prizes were awarded at this year’s edition, following a selection process involving an Academy of more than a thousand members and an international jury of experts. The Special Jury Prize went to Patek Philippe for its “Watch Art Grand Exhibition,” dedicated to the culture and traditions of watchmaking.
Other winners include Audemars Piguet, Cleguer and Ferdinand Berthoud. Blancpain, Chopard, Piaget, Grand Seiko and Parmigiani Fleurier also received awards. The 84 watches shortlisted for the competition are on display at Geneva’s Museum of Art and History until November 15. The winning timepieces will then be showcased at an exhibition in London.
Each year, the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève brings together the world’s leading watch manufacturers and artisans. This year’s winner, Rexhep Rexhepi, previously worked for the renowned Patek Philippe before opening his own independent workshop 16 years ago. Over the course of his career, he has won two other major awards at the competition, in 2018 and 2022.
