Watch of the Year 2013 – award ceremony

Łukasz Doskocz12.11.20136.12.20214 min. of reading

2013 “Watch of the Year” statuettes went to A.Lange&Söhne, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Patek Philippe, Omega, Anotine Martin, Frederique Constant and SevenFriday.

With an unconcealed pride we are pleased to inform, that already for the 4th time we managed to successfully finalize our CH24.PL “Watch of the Year” event with a dinner gala in Sobanski Palace in Warsaw. It was here, just like in 2 of the 3 previous editions, that we presented our hand-made statuettes to the winning brands and manufactures. When we started it all 4 years ago, we had two main goals in mind – to vividly show what’s best in the watchmaking art (on its every level) and honour the timepieces and brands, which in our humble opinion (international jury) stood out from a vast number of novelties that we witness every year.

You’ll find all the competition winners presented in details HERE.

And this is how, in brief, we celebrated the awards, this time professionally hosted by the automotive journalist, Playboy magazine editor and our good friend – Rafał Jemielita.

“Watch priced up to 10.000PLN” category was this time a triumph of a brand that is only 13 months old, yet already managed to gain position of a true phenomenon of the watch industry – the SevenFriday. The award for the P3 model was collected by Daniel Niederer, founder and owner of the brand.

“Ladies Watch” of 2013 is a beautiful and complicated piece with a very poetic name – Randez-Vous Celestial from Jaeger-LeCoultre. The award for it went to Helena Palej, PR Manager of Apart, Polish representative of the Swiss manufacture.

The “Classic Watch” category – for many the top category of them all – turned out to be a victory of the watchmaking manufacture considered to be the greatest in the world – Patek Philippe. Their iconic Calatrava in a modern version Ref. 5227 is just simply a fantastic, timeless watch.

On the other hand a very black, fully ceramic Omega Speedmaster “Dark Side of the Moon” is our winner in the “Sports Watch” category. On behalf of Omega the award was collected by Marco Siegfried, Omega Brand Manager in Poland.

The best timepiece in the “Innovation in watchmaking” category was made by the watchmakers of Antoine Martin – the model’s name is Slow Runner, timepiece with a massive, 1Hz balance wheel. The award went to Martin Braun, co-founder and master watchmaker of the manufacture.

“Complicated Watch” – the very essence of mechanical watchmaking – this year went to a pretty special creation. Grand Complication made by A.Lange&Sohne is one of the most complex watches made – with 846 components, a perpetual calendar, split-second chronograph foudroyante and a Grande a Petite Sonnerie. We were very proud to hand over our little statuette to Clemens Von Walzel – senior PR manager of Lange.

“Public Prize” – your choice of the best watch of the past 12 months – this year went to a brand which is very popular (quite rightly might I add) in our country – Frederique Constant. Form all the timepieces nominated by the jury you’ve selected a Slimline Moonphase Manufacture, and the award was collected by Łukasz Wądołowski, FC Brand Manager for Poland.

And finally two special categories which we announce at the end, during our dinner event. The GRAND PRIX “Watch of the Year 2013”, the best watch of past 12 months, selected from the winners in all categories, went to… the LANGE Grand Complication. This is our “Watch King” for A.D.2013.

“Special Jury Prize” – the exclusive category we created to honour an watchmaker, a brand or an event that couldn’t be included into one of the existing categories – this year went to a very special person. Francois-Paul Journe began his watchmaking journey exactly 30 years ago, so there could not be a better moment to honour this charismatic, genius and devoted watchmaker. Because Mr Journe is currently travelling across the USA presenting his Anniversary Tourbillon watch, we had to go with this special video massage, recorded for us:

As every good, quality watch event with a company of friends and distinguished guests, our evening was highlighted by an exquisite cuisine of Amber Room, Australian wine, The Glenlivet whisky and brilliant live musical performance. Watch of the Year could not happen without the 2013 edition partners: Porsche, The Glenlivet and Polish Business Roundtable, as well as our official, long-time partners – Polish Watch and Clocks Collectors Club and Manager MBA magazine. We thank everyone very much.

Zegarek Roku 2013