The GPHG 2026 Bangkok exhibition, inaugurated by the President of the Swiss Confederation, united Southeast Asia's watchmaking community around the finalist timepieces.
The Core Details
- Held at The Forum at Gaysorn Amarin from 15 to 18 October 2026, the Bangkok stop drew collectors, independent enthusiasts and watch lovers from across Southeast Asia to view the timepieces nominated by the GPHG Academy — the second stop on the foundation’s 2026 world tour.
- Guy Parmelin, President of the Swiss Confederation, officially inaugurated the event alongside His Excellency Fabrice Filliez, Ambassador of Switzerland to Thailand.
- Nineteen prizes, including the Aiguille d’Or Grand Prix, will be awarded on 7 November 2026 at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices in Geneva during the 26th official ceremony.
- The nominated timepieces move to the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire in Geneva from 29 October to 15 November, before the prize night.
Bangkok as a Watchmaking Hub
Four days at Gaysorn Amarin confirmed that Bangkok occupies a serious position in the global calendar for fine watchmaking.
The Forum at Gaysorn Amarin provided a fitting cultural setting: accessible, visible, and capable of hosting the kind of collector audience the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève attracts at its best stops. Attendance from the local community was strong, drawing both seasoned collectors and a younger generation discovering the nominated pieces for the first time. The format — finalist timepieces presented without competitive pressure, purely for admiration — allowed visitors to engage with the works on their own terms.
The Weight of Official Presence
The inauguration by a sitting head of state was not routine protocol: it placed watchmaking on the same diplomatic footing as trade and cultural exchange.
Raymond Loretan, President of the GPHG Foundation, stated: “The presence of the President of the Swiss Confederation, Guy Parmelin, honoured the GPHG and the entire watchmaking community gathered in Bangkok. We extend our sincere thanks to him for demonstrating his support for the international reach of the art of watchmaking. This stop illustrated the GPHG’s universal mission: to bring together, beyond borders, talents and enthusiasts around creativity, craftsmanship and excellence.”
The Ambassador of Switzerland to Thailand, His Excellency Fabrice Filliez, was also present, underscoring how the GPHG tour functions as a vehicle for Swiss cultural diplomacy alongside its role in the watch industry.
The Road to Geneva
From Bangkok, the nominated timepieces travel directly to the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire in Geneva, where they will be on public view from 29 October to 15 November 2026.
The 26th official ceremony follows on Saturday, 7 November, at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices — a venue whose industrial grandeur has become inseparable from the GPHG’s identity. Nineteen prizes will be awarded that evening, with the Aiguille d’Or Grand Prix the most closely watched among collectors in Europe and the Middle East. The ceremony will be broadcast live from 6:30 p.m. CET at gphg.org.
For those unable to attend in Geneva, the full nominations list and the 2026 world tour schedule are available at gphg.org.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the GPHG 2026 Bangkok exhibition take place?
The exhibition was held at The Forum at Gaysorn Amarin in Bangkok from 15 to 18 October 2026, showcasing the timepieces nominated by the GPHG Academy ahead of the Geneva ceremony.
Who officially opened the GPHG 2026 Bangkok stop?
Guy Parmelin, President of the Swiss Confederation, officially inaugurated the Bangkok stop, joined by His Excellency Fabrice Filliez, Ambassador of Switzerland to Thailand.
When and where will the GPHG 2026 prize ceremony be held?
The 26th official ceremony takes place on Saturday, 7 November 2026, at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices in Geneva. Nineteen prizes, including the Aiguille d'Or Grand Prix, will be awarded, with a live broadcast from 6:30 p.m. CET on gphg.org.
Can collectors in the Middle East watch the GPHG 2026 ceremony live?
The ceremony will be broadcast live from 6:30 p.m. CET on 7 November 2026 at gphg.org, making it accessible to collectors across Europe and the Middle East.
What happens to the nominated timepieces after the Bangkok stop?
Following the Bangkok exhibition, the nominated timepieces travel to Geneva, where they will be on display at the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire from 29 October to 15 November 2026.
Explore more from GPHG: GPHG 2026 World Tour Opens in Mumbai with Ethos Limited · Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève / 2026 Edition.
