Watch of the Year 2011, an event organized by 00/24, was held in Amsterdam on Thursday, June 16.
The jury of the Dutch 00/24 Horloges Watch of the Year announced the awards in 8 different categories for the best watches of 2011. The jury was made of renowned watch specialists, enthusiasts and watchmakers, but this was the first time the readers of the magazine could also cast their votes. The special Readers Award, awarded by the public to the most successful issue of 2010 went to Eberhard & Co. and their Chrono 4 Géant. Here are all of the winning models in eight categories:
CATEGORY 1: Prices up to 3.000 euro
BALL WATCH Engineer Master II Diver Worldtime
Message from the Jury: "Ball Watch impressed the jury with its Engineer Master II Diver Worldtime. An automatic watch with world time indication, water resistant to 300 meters and with a well designed sturdy case. A good watch for a fair price."
CATEGORY 2: 3.000 to 10.000 euro
PEQUIGNET Rue Royale
Message from the Jury: "French watch brand Pequignet presented the only watch in this category with a proprietary movement (only 5,88 mm high). The jury liked the classic design and the high quality of the watch. "
CATEGORY 3: 10.000 to 25.000 euro
JAEGER-LECOULTRE Duomètre à Quantième Lunaire
Message from the Jury: "The jury was impressed by the Jaeger-LeCoultre-entry. A beautiful movement with two separate drives for time indication and all complications. A technological marvel, beautifully styled and finished."
CATEGORY 4: over 25.000 euro
BOVET Fleurier Tourbillon Ottanta
Message from the Jury: "This was the most difficult category since the differences between the entries were immense. The winner is Bovet’s Fleurier Tourbillon Ottanta, a extraordinary watch dedicated to 80 years of design studio Pininfarina. It is simply spectacular, both technologicaly and esthetically. "
CATEGORY 5: ladies watches
ROLEX Datejust Lady 31mm
Message from the Jury: "Finally, the Rolex won this award. An excellent all round watch for every possible occasion The combination of the Everose case and the chocolate dial looks fantastic, the overall quality is exceptional.”
INNOVATION AWARD
Christiaan van der Klaauw CK Retro Moon
Message from the Jury: "The jury liked the whole concept of this astronomical watch and particularly the retrograde moon phase indication, an innovation worthy of this special award."
SPECIAL AWARD OF THE JURY
Grönefeld One Hertz
Message from the Jury: "A small Dutch company with extremely competent watch makers started out with very complicated watches. This is their latest adventure, a stunning hand built watch with an innovative movement and of striking design. The jury hopes this special award will encourage the Grönefeld brothers to continue their quest for highly original watches."
THE READER’S AWARD
Eberhard & Co Titanium Chrono 4 Géant
Message from the Jury: "The Eberhard & Co Titanium Chrono 4 Géant was voted best watch of 2010 by almost 7.000 readers of 00/24 Horloges. The text on the case bottom of this handsome watch reads ‘Never forget who you are’. The readers have not forgotten…"
