Perhaps it is best to explain; GPHG we are not. What we are is a consumer-focused trade title that seeks to discern, understand, and anticipate the burning questions and desires of anyone who loves watches. To that end, the categories and the novelties that have been nominated or selected as eventual winners are reflective of how a watch consumer might shop or embark on a decision-making process. That said, the selected watches are not curated in a vacuum; a panel of two editorial staff and two collectors were chosen to pick from the novelties of 2018.

This being our inaugural edition, was an internally nominated selection across all brands and novelties. Beginning 2019, subsequent editions of WOW Awards will invite brands and readers to nominate their favourites in each category.

Winner of the WOW Awards 2018 – Wrist Presence King

Bell & Ross

Some watches simply turn heads and attract attention. They are what we call Wrist Presence Kings. The winner of this category must be large or possess extensive exterior case decoration (engraving or stone settings) or have an unusual case shape.

BR 01 Laughing Skull

Beginning in 2009 with the BR 01 Skull, Bell & Ross began to attract a cult following for its skull-inspired watches, and the brand followed up with three other “Skull” editions. The new BR 01 Laughing Skull follows the similar aesthetic codes that defined the popular collection but updated with matte micro-blasted steel, decorated with clous de Paris pattern usually seen on classic watch dials, and a simple automaton. The icing on the cake: Bell & Ross developed a special in-house calibre to perfectly fit the case via the extension of the four “bones”, aka bridges, securing the main plate and forming floating architecture in the centre of the timepiece.

WOW Awards consist a total of 11 categories. The winners will we announced over the next 10 days.