The Real Time Show: GPHG Predictions Part Two (November 9, 2025)

Hosts: Rob Nudds & Alon Ben Joseph

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Rob and Alon continue their annual "GPHG Predictions Game," where they each try to guess the other's picks for the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) awards across multiple categories. With quick wit, deep horological knowledge, and the friendly rivalry fans love, the pair break down their reasoning behind each pick, debate the merits of the finalists, and often digress into amusing, candid watch talk. This is a must-listen for watch enthusiasts who want insightful, real-time takes on the latest and greatest in watchmaking.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mechanical Exception Category

Entrants: Armin Strom, Greubel Forsey, Hazeman & Monin, Louis Vuitton, Luca Soprano, Van Cleef & Arpels
Timestamps: 00:47 – 11:30

• Alon's Guess: Rob would pick the Armin Strom Dual Time GMT Resonance Manufacturer Edition, calling it a "stealth complication" and "an intellectual, geeky thing."
  • “I think he went for the Arminstrom because I call this a stealth complication. This is a if you know, you know kind of thing.” – Alon [06:41]
• Rob’s Pick (for himself): The Luca Soprano “Derek Pratt Remontoire d’égalité” dress watch. Rob deeply admires the story and execution:
  • “It’s easily the most attractive watch from the front... but definitely the most attractive from the back. Absolute showstopper. Beautiful frosted bridges in an English style. Double snail tops on the twin barrels. There’s nothing to not like about this watch that pays homage to one of the great watchmakers...” – Rob [09:44]
• Rob’s Pick (for Alon): Armin Strom, which was correct. Alon reaffirms his love for resonance watches.
  • Standout moment: Both discuss the impact of finishing a master craftsman’s vision and legacies in watchmaking, notably Derek Pratt and George Daniels. [09:20–10:46]

2. Chronograph Category

Entrants: Anderson Geneve, Angelus, Audemars Piguet, H. Moser & Cie, Louis Moinet, Ming
Timestamps: 12:04 – 21:42

• Rob’s Favorite Complication: Chronograph
• Alon's Pick: Ming 20.01 Series 5. “You are right that I could have gone for the Angelus... I love Ming and there’s literally hardly anything I don’t like that they make.” – Alon [16:44]
• Rob’s Pick: Louis Moinet 1816, stating, “It just feels like the past and the present in perfect fusion on the wrist.” [19:43]
• Each guessed correctly for the other.
• Memorable quote:
  • Rob: “It wears a dream. It’s all titanium, super light. The bracelet is creative and different... like the Streamliner bracelet, but sufficiently different to be its own thing.” [19:43]
• Both discuss the merits and weaknesses of the other finalists, such as issues with dial design, case materials (PVD cases), and heritage versus innovation.

3. Sports Category

Entrants: Audemars Piguet, Chopard, Grand Seiko, Laurent Ferrier, Parmigiani Fleurier, Ressence
Timestamps: 23:24 – 31:39

• Grand Seiko's entry was slammed:
  • Rob: "It's baby shit brown." [26:00]
  • Alon: “You didn’t go for the Grand Seiko because it’s right fugly.” [25:00]
• Alon's Pick for Rob: Chopard Alpine Eagle 41SL Cadence 8HF due to “stealthy charcoal black, grayish on a beautiful dial with orange accents. And we know how much you and I love orange.” [27:20]
• Rob’s Actual Pick: Chopard Alpine Eagle, confirming Alon’s correct guess.
• Rob’s Guess for Alon: Ressence—incorrect. Alon ranks Laurent Ferrier’s gold sports watch first, Chopard second, and Ressence near the bottom.
  • Alon: “I love what Chopard... I love the high frequency of this piece. There’s one thing... there was no need to put there a Roman 12 there. There’s so much going on.” [31:12]
• Notable banter:
  • Rob: “This thing... looks like a weapon, and not in a good way.” [26:07, on Grand Seiko]
  • Alon: “Sales figures tell the truth in what works and doesn’t work.” [29:17]

4. Jewelry Category

Entrants: Bulgari, Chopard, Dior, Piaget, Simon Brette, Van Cleef & Arpels
Timestamps: 31:39 – 37:18

• Banter over taste: Alon teases Rob about “if you were a drag queen, [the Piaget] would be your pick.” [33:24]
• Rob’s Pick: Simon Brette; admires mechanistic and restrained beauty. “I could see myself wearing this Simon Brette. I would wear that quite happily.” [34:21]
• Alon’s Pick: Bulgari Serpenti, for embracing both history and modernity. “It’s amazing, six decades down the line... they can still make it relevant... a jewel piece, but they didn’t let diamonds lead here... the emeralds lead.” [36:09]
• Neither guessed the other's pick correctly.
• Quote: Rob on Bulgari: “It’s too sort of arrow shaped for me. There’s not enough form in it. I lose the snake a little bit along the way.” [35:19]

5. Artistic Crafts Category

Entrants: Chopard, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Piaget, Tiffany & Co., Voutilainen
Timestamps: 37:18 – 40:25

• Both picked Voutilainen 28 GML.
  • “Stunning. Marries East with West because again, he teamed up with Japanese lacquer master Tatsu Kitamura. It’s vibrant, it’s a jewel, although no gems have been used.” – Alon [39:50]
• Runners-up: Chopard and Hermès for Rob; both admire the craftsmanship but find only Voutilainen truly compelling.
• Notes mutual skepticism about the Piaget entry and the outlandish Louis Vuitton.

6. Petite Aiguille Category

Entrants: Amida, Christopher Ward, H. Moser & Cie, MAD Editions, Nomos Glashütte, Otsuka Lotec
Timestamps: 40:29 – 45:47

• Both pick Nomos Club Sport Neomatik World Timer.
• Rob: “€3,940 for in house World Timer from a beloved German maker... just incredible value for money.” [45:29]
• Both praise the market demand and limited runs.
  • “It is the craziest bang for buck you can get.” – Alon [45:47]
• Noteworthy: Nomos’s popularity is affirmed by customers’ enthusiasm upon its announcement.

7. Challenge Category

Entrants: Atelier Wen, Bédat, Barons, Christopher Ward × Mr. Jones, Dennison, Kurono Tokyo
Timestamps: 47:32 – 52:54

• Both pick Dennison Natural Stone Tiger Eye in Gold.
• Rob describes Dennison as “the name behind the names... democratizes pure design... for the price points, although I don’t like gold plating, I’ll forgive them because I love every Dennison model.” [51:27]
• Both appreciate the brand’s revival, quality, and heritage.
• Friendly ribbing over their shared enthusiasm.

8. Mechanical Clock Category

Entrants: Anton Suhanov, Fiona Kruger × Denis Flageolet, L'Epée × MB&F, Louis Vuitton, Mickey Eleta × 21de12me, Trilobe
Timestamps: 53:04 – 59:20

• Wildcards and Surprises:
  • Both hosts encourage close inspection of all nominees, noting this category is unexpectedly strong.
  • Alon initially picks L’Epée × MB&F for Rob, but Rob corrects: his pick is Louis Vuitton’s Montgolfière.
    • “It’s just cute and beautifully executed... not too overbearing or self-serious... I think it’s cute as hell.” – Rob [59:20]
  • Both agree Fiona Kruger × Denis Flageolet (Debethune collaboration) is a standout; Alon’s actual pick.
  • Trilobe “Les Temps Gratuvez” discussed for its customizable, “narcissistic” bust—Rob is amused, not realizing it’s meant to be your own face.
    • “It’s so narcissistic because you have to buy a bust that’s your own face. And you are very full of yourself, but you’re not narcissistic.” – Alon [57:16]
    • Rob: “That would creep me out having my own face staring back at me.” [57:38]

Memorable Quotes & Banter

• “It's baby shit brown.” – Rob, on Grand Seiko’s sports entry [26:00]
• “If you were a drag queen, this [Piaget] would be your pick.” – Alon to Rob [33:24]
• “I could see myself wearing this Simon Brette. I would wear that quite happily.” – Rob [34:21]
• “Sales figures tell the truth in what works and doesn’t work.” – Alon [29:17]
• “You know what? Shotgun Amida.” – Alon’s playful indecision [42:16]
• “We have a zero asshole policy, so assholes are not allowed.” – Alon [61:34]

Hosts’ Dynamic, Competition & Running Tallies

• The episode keeps score: Rob wins the game 11–8.
  • “And I am absolutely devastated to reveal that I remain undefeated by almost embarrassing scoreline of 11 to 8.” – Rob [60:18]
• Good-natured taunting and celebrating each other’s successes.
• Both frequently reference their in-jokes and real-life encounters with the watches and watchmakers, showcasing their deep immersion in the industry.

Final Thoughts

This episode is packed with horological insight, personality, and authentic debate. Rob and Alon bring their unique backgrounds (watchmaker and jeweler/retailer) to bear, covering every detail from mechanical brilliance to aesthetic fumbles. Their shared respect for the GPHG process, love of independent watchmaking, and sharp eyes for value, creativity, and history make this installment a benchmark for watch podcasting.

Navigation & Highlights (Timestamps)

• Mechanical Exception: 00:47–11:30
• Chronograph: 12:04–21:42
• Sports: 23:24–31:39
• Jewelry: 31:39–37:18
• Artistic Crafts: 37:18–40:25
• Petite Aiguille: 40:29–45:47
• Challenge: 47:32–52:54
• Mechanical Clocks: 53:04–59:20
• Wrap-up/Banter: 59:20–62:48

For more, join the TRTS community and follow @therealtime show for predictions and post-awards recaps!