Singapore’s LOTH earns historic GPHG nomination, putting local watchmaking back on the world stage

There are awards, and then there is the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneve (GPHG). Often described as the watchmaking equivalent of the Oscars, the annual Geneva-based awards celebrate the finest achievements in contemporary horology across categories, ranging from grand complications and jewellery watches to sports models and emerging independent makers.

This year, Singapore has a reason to celebrate.

Homegrown microbrand LOTH, which was featured in The Peak last year, has been nominated in the Challenge Watch Prize category for its Watch 1, making it only the second Singaporean watch brand in history to receive a GPHG nomination. That also makes it our nation’s second watchmaker to be recognised by the competition, following Benjamin Chee Haute Horlogerie’s historic breakthrough in 2022 as the first to receive such an honour.

Winning a GPHG can transform a watch into an instant collector’s piece. Even being shortlisted places a brand among the year’s most respected names. This nomination is a more-than-remarkable achievement for LOTH, a house founded just last year by 29-year-old self-taught artisan Tristan Ho, and one that arrives perfectly on time as we celebrate National Day 2026.

What is GPHG and why it matters

Established in 2001, the GPHG recognises excellence in contemporary watchmaking across the globe. Each year, hundreds of entries are submitted by brands from around the world before being scrutinised by the GPHG Academy and an international jury comprising journalists, retailers, collectors, historians, and industry specialists.

After several rounds of voting, just 90 watches across 15 categories are selected as official nominees before the eventual winners are crowned in Geneva.

The categories are: Essential Watch; Complication Watch; Mechanical Exception Watch; Chronograph Watch; Calendar & Astronomy Watch; Tourbillon Watch; Gemset Watch; Jewellery Watch; Artistic Crafts Watch; Sports Watch; Challenge Watch; Petite Aiguille Watch; Mechanical Clock; Chronometry; and Audacity.

Beyond these, the GPHG also awards the prestigious Aiguille d’Or Grand Prix to the best watch of the year, together with special distinctions including the Iconic Watch Prize, Horological Revelation Prize, and the Special Jury Prize. The winners are announced during the year-end annual ceremony in Geneva.

That level of competition explains why even making the nomination list is regarded as a career-defining achievement, particularly for smaller independent brands competing against centuries-old Swiss manufactures with vastly greater resources. For collectors, the nominees also offer an annual snapshot of the most significant technical, artistic, and design innovations shaping contemporary horology.

Collectors also pay close attention to the GPHG because the awards often spotlight tomorrow’s stars before they become household names. Numerous respected independents, including MB&F, Kudoke, and Akrivia, had gained wider international recognition following GPHG nominations or victories.

What makes the Challenge Watch Prize special?

Among the many categories, the Challenge Watch Prize is reserved for watches retailing at CHF3,000 (S$4,767) or below. It celebrates exceptional watchmaking that remains genuinely accessible, proving that thoughtful design, technical merit, and originality are not reserved exclusively for six-figure complications.

Previous winners illustrate exactly that philosophy. The 2025 Challenge Watch Prize winner, Dennison’s Natural Stone Tiger Eye, demonstrated how distinctive design and compelling craftsmanship can triumph without an extravagant price tag. Industry observers increasingly view the Challenge award as one of the strongest indicators of where accessible watchmaking is heading.

The Challenge Watch Prize has also become one of the GPHG’s most fiercely contested categories. For 2026, the competition adopts a revamped structure of 15 awards, with just 90 watches selected from 273 entries by 146 brands to make the final shortlist. Against that level of international competition, LOTH’s nomination represents a significant achievement for a young independent brand from Singapore.

A win already for Singapore

Whether LOTH ultimately returns home with the Challenge Watch Prize in November is beside the point. Simply earning a place among the official GPHG nominees is already a powerful endorsement. Recognition in Geneva opens doors to retailers, collectors, and media around the world, while signalling that a brand has earned the respect of one of horology’s most discerning judging bodies.

More importantly, it demonstrates that serious watchmaking is no longer confined to Switzerland, Germany, or Japan. Singapore, long recognised as one of the world’s most sophisticated collector markets, is increasingly proving capable of producing watchmakers worthy of international attention.

As Singapore celebrates another National Day, LOTH’s nomination is a reminder that local excellence can compete on the world’s biggest stage. For Singapore’s watchmaking community, this nomination already feels like a victory.