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GPHG: An edition full of technical challenges overcome by Skynight
A historic partnership dedicated to watchmaking excellence
For nearly twenty years, Skynight has been supporting the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève Foundation alongside Actua Film. This long-standing collaboration has developed in step with the event's editions and evolution.
The GPHG occupies an important place in the watchmaking landscape. It highlights the work of the companies and artisans who bring this art to life in Geneva and around the world. For Skynight, participating in this ceremony means contributing behind the scenes to showcasing renowned expertise.
Over the years, the ceremony has been held at various iconic locations in Geneva. Each change of venue has required a complete overhaul of the technical approach, further strengthening the relationship of trust between Skynight, Actua Film, and the foundation.
The GPHG: role, mission, and operation
A flagship event in watchmaking
The Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève occupies a central place in the watchmaking industry. Often presented as one of the sector's major events, it highlights the contemporary creations that have marked the year. Organized by a Swiss foundation recognized as being of public utility, it is part of an approach to promote expertise whose reputation extends far beyond the country's borders.
Objectives and importance of the GPHG
The GPHG pursues several objectives that shape its identity and explain its enduring influence:
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Highlighting the year's most notable creations and rewarding innovation in watchmaking.
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Provide international media visibility for participating companies.
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Strengthen Geneva's role in the global watchmaking landscape as a city of reference.
These missions contribute to making the GPHG an event followed by professionals, enthusiasts, and specialized media.
A multi-step process
The GPHG process is organized around three main phases:
Preselection
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Watchmakers submit their pieces.
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An international multidisciplinary academy selects around 90 of them, divided into different categories.
Traveling exhibition
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The preselected watches are being displayed in several major cities around the world.
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This tour allows the public to discover the creations and increase the visibility of the event before the ceremony.
Awards ceremony
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The event concludes in Geneva with an evening ceremony during which around twenty awards are presented.
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The most eagerly awaited prize remains the Grand Prix de l’Aiguille d’Or, awarded to the most accomplished watch across all categories.
For more information, please visit the official website of the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève Foundation.
A change of venue that redefines the technical challenges
For this latest edition, the GPHG ceremony was held at the BFM for the first time. This change of venue immediately presented new parameters to be taken into account. The narrower stage and smaller audience capacity required precise adjustments to the setup, both in terms of lighting and the integration of screens and video equipment.
These space constraints also had an impact on how technical elements were positioned, particularly LED screen suspensions and mounting points. The overall layout had to be redesigned to ensure good visibility for the audience while meeting filming requirements. This transition to a new space paved the way for a different approach, focused on efficiency and simplicity.
Rethinking lighting and video systems: the solutions implemented
The installation at the BFM led to a rethinking of certain elements of the lighting and video system, not in depth, but by choosing tools better suited to the format of the venue. The aim was to ensure a clear reading of the scene and effective coordination between the different requirements of the ceremony.
LED screen suspension and TV capture requirements
To integrate visual content without cluttering the stage, LED screens were installed high above the audience. This position provided visibility for the entire room while preserving the stage space.
The lighting system was adjusted to provide stable lighting for television broadcasting. Rather than using multiple light sources, the teams opted for a minimalist approach, focusing on the visibility of the speakers and the objects on display.
The integration of RoboSpots: a first at the GPHG
The lack of space for conventional tracking systems led to the choice of RoboSpots, a remote-controlled system. This solution made it possible to monitor operations without installing tracking stations in the control room.
This system offered great flexibility of use: quick adjustments, controlled transitions, and precise movements. The RoboSpots thus helped maintain a fluid stage dynamic, consistent with the format of the ceremony.
A race against time mastered by the teams
Preparations for the ceremony proceeded at a steady pace. The setup involved a team of 10 to 12 Skynight technicians, each responsible for a specific part of the system. This phase required close coordination to enable the Actua Film and BFM teams to work in parallel on their own areas.
Once the installation was complete, two days were devoted to encoding and rehearsals. This stage allowed us to adjust the settings, check the transitions, and ensure that the ceremony would run smoothly once the real conditions were in place.
On the big day, five Skynight technicians were on hand to monitor the lighting and live video. The timing was particularly tight: less than an hour separated the end of rehearsals from the start of the ceremony. In this very short space of time, every adjustment had to be made with precision. The teams' experience and coordination ensured that everything ran smoothly despite this time constraint.
An edition that confirms Skynight's expertise
This edition of the GPHG highlighted Skynight's ability to adapt to a variety of configurations while maintaining a high level of operational stability. The various stages (installation, rehearsals, and operation) were carried out with rigor, in a particularly fast-paced environment.
The long-standing collaboration with Actua Film and the GPHG Foundation plays an important role in the success of the event. It is based on a shared vision and fluid communication between teams, which facilitates the anticipation of needs and the management of adjustments.
The GPHG's reception at the BFM marks a new stage in this relationship. Skynight would like to thank the foundation, Actua Film, and the BFM teams for their trust and collaboration.
