Watch of the Year 2011 – awards ceremony

Łukasz Doskocz17.12.201128.05.20133 min. of reading

Grand Prix for Patek Philippe Ref.5208P and Special Jury Prize for lifetime achievement to Nicolas G. Hayek – this year’s Watch of the Year edition ended with an award ceremony in Warsaw.

Looking at the final results of hard and intense work of the international jury of Watch of the Year 2011 competition – concluded with award giving ceremony in Warsaw’s “Na Zielnej” restaurant – one might rightly state, that passed 12 months were the time of big, innovative creations of the watchmaking art with the simultaneous return to tradition.

Equally the Grand Prix (Watch of the Year), Patek Philippe Ref.5208P (monopusher chronograph with perpetual calendar, moon phase and minute repeater), the TAG Heuer Mikrotimer Flying 1000 (best design/concept for amazing chronograph capable of measuring up to 1/1000 of a second), the ZENITH Stratos Flyback (best sports watch for combination of El Primero movement and innovative ALCHRON case) and the Public Chosen IWC Schaffhausen Siderale Scafusia (complicated integration of tourbillion, perpetual calendar, sidereal and solar time and sky chart) all represent the beyond-ordinary skills of today’s best watchmakers showing the power of modern horology. At the same time, on the other end of the scale, awards went to classic and simply beautiful timepieces such as Laurent Ferrier Galet Micro-Rotor (connoisseur classic by Mr. Laurent Ferrier, watchmaker at Patek Philippe for long 35 years), dedicated to the ladies Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Lady Ultra Thin and best budgetary piece – CERTINA DS Action Diver.

There was also something for those looking for more emotional experience than the timepieces themselves. With an unanimous decision of all the jury members the Special Prize honored impressive lifetime achievement of Nicolas G. Hayek – founder of the Swatch Group, brand Swatch but most of all the savior of entire Swiss watch industry and art. Nobody we know could better present this very special laureate, sadly lost unexpectedly in June last year, than Waldemar Ferri-Szczerbowski, the man involved in the close relation with mechanical watchmaking from decades. Personal and very moving speech from Mr. Ferri-Szczerbowski gave, although in brief meaner, a vivid picture of what Nicolas George Hayek meant to the history of the craft we all love. One is certain – without his genius and visionary leadership, watchmaking would today be in a very different position that it is. Far worse for sure.

It was only the second time when we had an honor to award what was, in our opinion, most interesting in the passing year. The choice was a difficult task burdened with matter of personal taste and preferences, but enriched by the participation of two world-famous journalists: Elizabeth Doerr (WorldTempus) and Kristian Haagen (TimeGeeks). Watch industry is recovering full-steam from the world economic crisis. Overwhelming number of novelties and innovations (true ones) gives a bright look into the future.

The beautiful evening with exceptional cuisine, quality wine and endless watch-related conversation would not be possible without our noble guests, brands representatives, our partners: MANAGER MBA magazine and Polish Watch and Clock Collectors Club and sponsors: Auto Viva, Idea Bank and “Na Zielnej” restaurant.

Full results of the WOTY 2011 competition can be found HERE.

On photo (from top left): Olivier Muller, Thomas Daris, Helena Palej, Stanley Bark, Alexander Seidl, Tomasz Kruk, Nicolas Marion (from bottom left) Wiktor Ruzik, Jakub Filip Szymaniak, Waldemar Ferri-Szczerbowski, Dariusz Chlastawa, Łukasz Doskocz, Tomasz Kiełtyka.