As the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) is gearing up for its 20th anniversary next year – and a week after the 2019 winners were announced – the foundation that administers the industry awards has announced the Academy. This adds an additional layer of nominations and votes to the awards to better encompass a wider swathe of the watch business.

Slated to be several hundred strong – 300 was the number mooted – the Academy will be composed of individuals from across the watch industry, from brands to the media to retailers. The large size of the Academy and its diversity is to ensure the GPHG awards represent the industry’s views as much as possible.

The GPHG trophy takes the form of a gilded hand

The Academy will be able to nominate watches for the awards – in past years only brands could propose their own watches – as well as vote in the earlier shortlisting process.

The final vote and physical evaluation of the shortlisted candidates will then be undertaken by a 30-member jury meeting in Geneva, which is similar to the voting process today.

The first members of the Academy will be announced in early 2020. Subsequently, new members can join the Academy when nominated by existing members.

Just a few months after the G-Shock 5000-series in titanium was unveiled, Casio has announced the G-Shock GMW-B5000TCM-1, which is essentially the same but with an unusual, laser-engraved camouflage pattern on the case and bracelet.

The pattern is achieved by varying the size of the pixels that make up the camouflage motif; three different pixel sizes are engraved to create shading of the camouflage.

The rest of the watch is identical to the standard titanium model, which means a sapphire crystal, black screen and gold accents. The case is in lightweight titanium case and bracelet – coated in black diamond-like carbon (DLC) – weighing just 110g in total.

(Editor’s note: I handled one just last week and it’s a cool-looking watch that light on the wrist, but the price is pretty steep for what it is, though it’s probably worth the premium just for the cool factor.)

Also announced at the same time is the G-Shock MTG-B1000DCM-1A, which has the same engraved camouflage pattern, except on the steel case and bracelet that have a black ion-plated (IP) coating.

G-Shock MTG-B1000DCM-1A

Key facts and price

G-Shock “Full Titanium” in camouflage print
Ref. GMW-B5000TCM-1JR

Diameter: 43.2mm
Height: 13mm
Material: Titanium engraved with camouflage pattern and coated with DLC
Water resistance: 200m

Movement: Electronic
Functions: Multi-function electronic with Bluetooth connectivity
Winding: Solar-powered
Power reserve: 22 months

Strap: Titanium bracelet

Limited edition: Limited production
Availability: Worldwide at boutiques and retailers from November 2019
Price: US$1600, or 175,000 Japanese yen

For more information, visit Gshock.com.