The Real Time Show: GPHG 2025 Results Analysis (Rob Loses His Mind)

Hosts: Rob Nudds & Alon Ben Joseph
Episode Date: November 16, 2025

Main Theme and Purpose

This episode delivers a no-holds-barred breakdown of the 2025 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) results. Hosts Rob and Alon dissect each category, debate the selections, and candidly raise questions about transparency, narratives, and potential biases in the industry's most prestigious awards ceremony. Throughout, they maintain their characteristic blend of passion, expertise, and humor, with Rob, in particular, expressing strong opinions on the state of the industry and the legitimacy of the awards.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: The Hype and the Controversy

• The GPHG ceremony generates excitement both for its results and the social aspect, with watch communities engaging on multiple channels, including a Real Time Show listener voting game.
  Alon: “We had Nick in the crowd, VIP section posting us all the winners. You obviously had the live stream up. So it's fun to see how much people enjoy not only the ceremony, but the ramp up to the event...” (00:32)
• Rob comes out swinging, declaring the results “a fucking travesty” and questioning the integrity of the process.
  Rob: “I believe palms have been lined with silver. I do not believe that this is a genuine open competition. I'm furious. I'm disappointed. I'm very angry.” (01:43)

2. Notable Wins and Surprises (or Lack Thereof)

Challenge Category – Denison’s Budget Victory (02:41)

• Hosts celebrate Denison’s win in the Challenge Category for watches under CHF 3,000, praising the brand for triumphing with a watch priced under CHF 1,000. Rob: “Denison comes in and steals it using less than a third of the available budget... They should be very proud of themselves but they also deserve it.” (02:41)

Chronometry Prize – Zenith Caliber 135 (04:19)

• Alon highlights the chronometric legacy of Zenith’s caliber and wishes for a return of old-school chronometry competitions.

Ladies' Category – “Narrative Building” and the Gerald Genta (06:32)

• Alon and Rob acknowledge the “out there” choice of the Urchin, argue its merit, and point out the recurring presence of a few key brands:
  Rob: “GPHG is putting on a masterclass of narrative building... Four or five brands that will come up and you will be like, what the fuck is this for a result. And it's just a question of... which order they're going to come in.” (06:32)

Ladies' Complication – Chopard's Win and Brand Patterns (08:04)

• Both hosts question whether Chopard deserved the win or benefitted from industry politics—Rob more skeptically than Alon. Rob: “I just find it so hard, so hard to believe that that model is the one that came out on top. But that's what we're being told. So that's what we will believe and swallow with a smile on our faces.” (08:04)

Time Only – Daniel Roth’s Narrative (11:17)

• Daniel Roth wins with a watch described as handsome but not a true novelty; both hosts question whether the win was more about “narrative” than merit.

Men's Category – Urban Jurgensen (12:32)

• Hosts predictably see Urban Jurgensen win after a brand revamp, reflecting on how some brands seem destined to collect awards by design. Alon: “Basically, they've revamped the whole collection, so. Rightfully so. Yes. In my humble opinion.” (13:07)

Men’s Complication – Bovet's Streak (15:10)

• A passionate segment on how Bovet has now won in three successive years, despite being rarely mentioned by the enthusiast community. Rob and Alon discuss patterns and political undercurrents. Rob: “5% of the awards in the last three years have been won by Bovet and Bovet alone. That is curious for me.” (16:11)

Greater Issues: Payment, Entry, and Transparency (21:05)

• The conversation turns to the makeup of the GPHG, the pay-to-play structure, the opacity of jury selection, and the voting mechanism. Both hosts advocate for much greater transparency—Alon suggesting publishing the voting methodology, Rob proposing a Eurovision-style public vote.
  Rob: “I'd like to see a Eurovision style contest where the public can also vote and maybe even live on the night. How cool would that be?” (25:00)

3. Category-by-Category Quickfire Analysis

Iconic – Breguet vs. Bulgari MB&F (28:14)

• Breguet wins the ‘Golden Hand’, but both hosts are underwhelmed. Rob: “I find it a bit underwhelming. I think Breguet does better things... It's a well made watch, it's an attractive watch. It's fine. I find it a bit underwhelming. I think Breguet does better things.” (28:14)
• Both preferred Bulgari MB&F for its future icon potential.

Tourbillon – Bulgari's Repeat Win (32:54)

• Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon wins, but both hosts feel déjà vu and lament lack of genuine novelty.

Mechanical Exception – Greubel Forsey (38:23)

• Strong technical showings, but Greubel Forsey is a deserved, if predictable, winner.

Chronograph – Angelus (40:08)

• Angelus is called a “handsome model” and strong winner; Ming and Louis Moinet were strong contenders.

Sports – Chopard (41:21)

• Chopard wins for the Alpine Eagle Orange. Both approve but would have liked more innovation/narrative recognition (e.g., Renaissance GMT).

Jewelry – Dior's LVMH Factor (43:11)

• Hosts are shocked Dior won and dissect the LVMH “forgotten child” hypothesis. Alon: “If it was not political, it would have gone probably to Simon Brett or Chopard, because those are independent. Dior is lvmh. Van Clef. Piaget is Richemont. I thought there were a lot of Piaget nominees this year. I thought one would go to Piaget, at least if it was politicized.“ (43:17)

Artistic Crafts – Voutilainen (45:38)

• Both agree this was the obvious, deserving winner: “as easy a pick as they come.”

Petite Aiguille & Challenge – MAD Editions and Denison (46:51/49:01)

• MAD Editions' MAD2Green wins the under CHF 8k segment. Both see logic and joy in the choice but champion Nomos for overall value.
• Denison is welcomed as a fresh, deserved winner in the Challenge/pure entry-level category.

Mechanical Clock – Desk Clocks and Corporate Ownership (49:18)

• Anton Surinov’s egg-clock wins, surprising both. They discuss shifts in desk clock popularity and point out LVMH’s acquisition of notable clock brands.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Rob’s opening rant:
  “I thought it's a fucking travesty not to mince my words, but I’m absolutely sick of it. I think it's disgusting. This is the worst set of results that we've had.” (01:43)

• Alon on Jury Patterns:
  “You have to pay to participate. We all know that that makes it already less objective. It's very subjective. You don't pay, you don't play.” (18:18)

• Rob proposing public voting:
  “Imagine if a jury cast their votes and it counted for up to 50%... and then you go to the public vote and it's people... on an online poll. It's not that difficult... It would be the night of the year, it would be wild.” (25:00)

• On Dior’s jewelry win:
  Alon: “I'm scared to say your conspiracy theory is going to the next level.” (43:15)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Opening & Rob’s “Travesty” Rant: 00:06–01:43
• Denison Challenge Category Win: 02:41–03:55
• Zenith Chronometry Prize: 04:19
• Ladies’ Category & Narrative Building: 05:39–07:25
• Chopard in Ladies’ Complication: 07:25–10:42
• Time Only – Daniel Roth: 10:44–12:09
• Men’s & Complication – Urban Jurgensen, Bovet: 12:32–18:18
• Analysis of GPHG Process, Transparency: 21:05–25:00
• Iconic – Breguet & Bulgari MB&F: 27:02–29:03
• Tourbillon – Bulgari: 32:16–34:01
• Mechanical Exception – Greubel Forsey: 36:33–39:16
• Chronograph Category: 39:16–41:15
• Sports Category: 41:15–42:22
• Jewelry – Dior’s Win: 42:22–44:19
• Artistic Crafts – Voutilainen: 45:38
• Petite Aiguille & Challenge: 46:37–49:15
• Mechanical Clocks & Wrap-up: 49:18–52:06

Tone & Language

The episode is lively and unsparing, with Rob’s frustration providing color and Alon’s measured industry knowledge offering balance. There’s frequent use of humor and inside jokes, but the commentary remains accessible to enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Both hosts use plain language, occasional expletives, and lots of skepticism about industry processes, but also deep love and respect for watchmaking artistry.

Final Thoughts

Rob and Alon deliver an entertaining, critical, and insightful review of the GPHG 2025. They temper their industry criticisms with enthusiasm for deserving winners and innovative watchmaking, and raise substantial questions about how awards are determined and how they might evolve.

Recommended for: Watch enthusiasts, industry insiders, and anyone curious about the intersection of commerce, artistry, and politics in luxury horology.

For more interactive discussion and to join future GPHG games, listeners are encouraged to connect with The Real Time Show community.