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.

Winner of the WOW Awards 2018 – The “Haute Métiers” Award

Cartier

As the category name implies, this prize is reserved for the timepiece with special artistic merit either on the case, dial or bracelet. It can also recognise complications of an aesthetic or artistic nature rather than technical. Winner of this category can be a men’s, ladies’ or unisex watch.

Cartier Révélation d’une Panthère

Haute horlogerie and haute métiers often go hand-in-hand, though the timekeeping elements take precedence and rightfully so, these are watches after all. However, when Cartier revealed its Révélation d’une Panthère, it was a powerful symbol of métiers, where timekeeping had taken a backseat. Sandwiched in a sapphire capsule, over 900 gold beads take the lead over the hour and minute hands on a sublime sunray dial below. Tilt your wrist forward, and the beads simply “rain” over time, forming the face of Cartier’s signature panther, and in the briefest, most fleeting moment, it is gone. If there’s an artistic analogy for “taking in each precious moment because it might not come again”, this work of art exemplifies it.

WOW Awards consist a total of 11 categories. The rest of the winners will be announced over the next 2 days.