The Real Time Show – GPHG 2025 Predictions Part One
Date: November 2, 2025
Hosts: Rob Nudds (watchmaker) & Alon Ben Joseph (jeweler)
Overview
In this lively and tradition-filled episode, Rob and Alon continue their annual battle of wits, guessing each other's picks for the 2025 GPHG (Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève) nominations in a range of categories, from Ladies' watches to Tourbillons. The "Oscars of watchmaking" is as much a source of mutual ribbing as it is horological insight, with both hosts bringing deep expertise, honest opinions, and good-natured competitive spirit. This is part one of a special two-parter; eight more categories will follow in the next installment.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Setting the Stage: The GPHG Game (00:00–04:27)
- Tradition & Format: This marks the fourth annual GPHG predictions episode, which both agree now qualifies as “a way of life.” Rob and Alon attempt to guess each other’s choices across all GPHG categories; correct guesses earn a point.
- Podcasting as Watchmaking Time Capsule: Rob muses on the evolution of watch styles, moods, and industry perceptions preserved in past podcast episodes.
- Scoring System Refresher: Each correct guess equals one point. Alon jokes Rob's past victories are the result of “cheating”—jibes indicative of their friendly rivalry.
Ladies' Category (04:27–13:07)
Nominees:
- Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Mini Frost Gold Quartz
- Gerald Genta Gentissima Ursin Fire Opal
- Louis Vuitton Tambour Convergence Platinum
- Piaget 60G
- Tiffany & Co. Bird on a Rock Legacy Tanzanite
- Voutelainen 28CG
Picks & Reasoning:
- Alon guesses Rob will pick Piaget for its “odd-shaped case” and turquoise dial, ruling out AP for lack of innovation and the Voutelainen for being a “reduced male watch.”
- Rob actually picks the Louis Vuitton Tambour Convergence Platinum for its beauty and wearability, declaring it his favorite by a wide margin (10:24).
- Rob guesses Alon will also pick the Piaget, thinking he’ll save his fondness for stone setting for later categories.
- Alon actually picked the Gerald Genta Urchin for its boldness and uniqueness, calling it “the most special one … so out there that I utterly love that watch” (12:10).
- Result: Both miss each other's picks. Score remains 0–0.
Notable Quotes:
- Rob: "This is my favorite watch of this lineup by quite some way." (10:24)
- Alon: "It's such a cool, stunning, innovative ... and it's so out there that I, I utterly love that watch." (12:10)
Ladies Complication (13:07–19:01)
Nominees:
- Audemars Piguet [Code 11.59] Tourbillon
- Chopard Imperiale
- Franck Muller Round Triple Mystery
- Gucci Interlocking
- Hermès Cut Le Temps Suspendu
- Jacob & Co. Mystery Tourbillon 44
Picks & Consensus:
- Both pick Hermès Cut Le Temps Suspendu for its innovative, poetic “suspended time” complication, wearability (39mm, genderless), and Hermès’ reputation for elegant complications.
- Both dismiss Jacob & Co. (too large), the AP (lack of femininity), and the others as less refined or innovative.
- Alon: “Ding ding ding for you. And did I score a point as well, Rob?” (17:14). Rob: “Yeah, you did, yeah. It was an easy one. I honestly, I love this watch.” (17:50)
- Score: Both score a point. 1–1.
Notable Quotes:
- Alon: “…women are elegant per definition and the watch needs a bit of elegance...” (16:36)
- Rob: “I think it is perfectly genderless and I'd wear it. That's the only one of those watches that I would cover owning...” (17:50)
Time Only Category (19:01–31:21)
Nominees:
- Daniel Roth Extra Plat
- Ming Project 21
- Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda
- Piaget Andy Warhol Clou de Paris Edition
- Raul Pages RP 2.1
- Tasaki (Fiona Kruger Collaboration)
Picks:
- Both pick Tasaki (Fiona Kruger) for each other, but both are wrong.
- Rob’s actual pick: Raul Pages RP 2.1 – praises movement, design, and balance.
- “It has the most attractive movement of the bunch, in my opinion ... It’s just well-balanced in every facet.” (26:19)
- Alon’s actual pick: Ming Project 21 – he almost bought the civilian version, loves the collaborative effort and execution.
- “I almost ordered the Project 21 for myself... I love tantalum. I love Joe Shapiro. I love Ming.” (29:43)
- Both share deep respect for Fiona Kruger’s work but ultimately go elsewhere.
- Result: No points. Still 1–1.
Men's Category (31:21–41:30)
Nominees:
- Chopard L.U.C. Quattro Mark IV
- Garrick S3 Deadbeat Seconds
- Grand Seiko Spring Drive
- Laurent Ferrier Classic Auto Horizon
- Urban Jurgensen UJ2 Double Wheel
- Zenith GFJ Caliber 135
Picks:
- Rob correctly guesses Alon picks the Zenith GFJ Caliber 135 for its real-life beauty, platinum case, depth, and emotional value (35:20).
- Alon: “You’ve done a perfect reasoning ... You could have added one more thing. Why I didn’t pick the Urban Jurgensen? Roman numerals. You hate Roman numerals.” (35:20–35:42)
- Alon incorrectly guesses Rob will also pick the Zenith; Rob’s actual choice is Chopard L.U.C. Quattro Mark IV – he favors its hands, dial, and movement.
- “I love the dial finish. I think the hands are a thing of absolute beauty … one of the nicest movements going and a nine day power reserve.” (38:44)
- Score: Rob leads 2–1.
Men's Complication (44:01–51:59)
Nominees:
- Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar
- Beauvais 1822 Recital 30
- Chopard L.U.C. Lunar One
- Louis Vuitton (Voutelainen collab) LV KV02
- Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Quantième Perpetual
- Urban Jurgensen UJ3 Perpetual Calendar
Picks:
- Both hosts immediately agree on Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Quantième Perpetual as the category standout (49:26).
- Both praise the elegance, arrangement, and “molto non tropo” (a lot but not too much) philosophy.
- Rob: “The Toric is probably the nicest watch in existence right now. And I know that's a huge thing to say on a watch podcast, but I just think this rebirth is majestic...” (49:29)
- Both briefly consider the LV/Voutelainen but find Parmigiani’s aesthetic peerless.
- Score: Rob 3, Alon 2.
Iconic Category (53:03–58:32)
Nominees:
- Anderson Genève Worldtimer
- Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Sand Gold
- Breguet Classique Subscription 2025
- Bulgari x MB&F Serpenti
- Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante
- Piaget Andy Warhol with Tiger's Eye Dial
Picks:
- Both hosts instantly pick the Bulgari x MB&F Serpenti as the most deserving winner for stretching creativity and iconic potential (56:20).
- Alon: “What are the Oscars of the watchmaking for? To award the exceptional? And in this category, that is the most exceptional.” (56:34)
- Rob: “It's a complete outlier in this collection.” (56:24)
- In the absence of the Serpenti, Rob would veer to Anderson Genève; Alon says perhaps Breguet.
- Both note the immense craftsmanship and challenge described by Fabrizio Buonamassa on Instagram.
- Score: Rob 4, Alon 3.
Tourbillon Category (60:10–68:02)
Nominees:
- Arnold and Son
- Bulgari
- Czapek Antarctique Tourbillon Glacier Blue
- Fam Al Hout
- Louis Vuitton Tambour Tokyo Spin Time Air
- Urban Jurgensen
Picks:
- Rob guesses Alon will pick Urban Jurgensen; Alon actually picks Czapek Antarctique Tourbillon, driven by his long-standing affection for the Antarctique and the integration of the tourbillon in this model (65:28).
- “The Antarctique is splendid. It's superb. Love it. From day one I loved it...” (65:30)
- Alon guesses Rob will pick Czapek; Rob actually picks Urban Jurgensen, loving its hidden tourbillon (for dial elegance), and calling its movement “just stunning” and “the supermodel of movements” (68:14).
- “The movement on this Urban Jurgensen is ridiculously hot ... absolutely top drawer for me.” (68:14)
- Score: Rob 4, Alon 3.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- On Podcasting and Watch History:
Rob: “It is truly interesting ... to go back and listen to how things change, how perceptions change, how people’s mood towards the industry changes, and how the styles of watches such as these ... are evolving or devolving.” (02:35) - On Hermès Le Temps Suspendu:
Alon: “This is elegance. Although it's a full gold watch—stunning. So yes. Ding ding ding for you.” (17:14) - On Competing Predictions:
Rob: “Nil. Nil after the first round, which is about as good as you could have hoped for, I guess.” (12:33) - On Zenith GFJ Caliber 135:
Alon: “But when you have that beautiful noble platinum metal in your hands ... you get this jeweled experience on your wrist, but when people look at yours, they think it's just a simple blue dial, but there's depth into it.” (35:42) - On Parmigiani Toric:
Rob: “The Toric is probably the nicest watch in existence right now ... I just think this rebirth is majestic ... and quite literally so, I believe it is the choice of the king.” (49:29) - Competitive Banter:
Rob: “I'm more than happy to lose once ... It's not necessarily a good thing to win this competition because it speaks volumes of maybe my erraticism ...” (04:27)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- GPHG Format & Scoring: 00:00–04:27
- Ladies' Category: 04:27–13:07
- Ladies' Complication: 13:07–19:01
- Time Only: 19:01–31:21
- Men's Category: 31:21–41:30
- Men's Complication: 44:01–51:59
- Iconic: 53:03–58:32
- Tourbillon: 60:10–68:02
Conclusion & Look Ahead
Rob holds a slight lead (4–3) as Part One ends, but Alon promises a comeback in the next episode. The pair will tackle the final eight GPHG categories in their next session. Their mix of expertise, humor, and honest critique remains essential listening for anyone with even a passing interest in high-end watchmaking.
Contact & Engagement
Listeners are encouraged to join the conversation via:
- WhatsApp (contact Rob or Alon)
- Instagram:
- Rob: @robnudds
- Alon: @alonbenjoseph
- David: @davaucher
- Scarlett: @carlintheshire
Stay safe and keep on ticking!