The Swiss watch industry has turned to Nicholas Foulkes, arguably Britain’s most respected watch historian and author, to be president of the jury for this year’s Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.
He takes over the role from auctioneer and vintage watch guru Aurel Bacs.
Mr Foulkes is an internationally recognized writer on watchmaking with over 30 books to his name along with editing roles for titles including GQ, Vanity Fair and the Financial Times.
“It is an incredible honour to be invited to lead this year’s GPHG Jury and continue the remarkable work of Aurel Bacs, my predecessor in this role. Having served as a member of the Jury for some years, the GPHG is an annual event to which I look forward,” Mr Foulkes says.
“It is both a privilege and pleasure to work alongside leading figures drawn from the many different sectors of watchmaking community. At what might – with understatement – be called an interesting time for the watch industry, the role of the GPHG in highlighting and rewarding horological excellence is more relevant than ever.”
The remaining 30 jurists on the GPHG panel will be named at the end of September.
The 2021 GPHG Awards ceremony takes place on November 4 in Geneva.
SUMMARY_With the election of Nick Foulkes, the GPHG has done itself a disservice. Foulkes exclusively represents particular interests. Thus, the GPHG is getting deeper and deeper into the corruption swamp that one actually wanted to leave. His predecessor, the St. Gallen HSG dropout Aurel Bacs, also let the dubious syndicate WWMG put him in front of the cart.