Kudoke wins Petite Aiguille award at 2024 GPHG
Second brand win since 2019
German independent watch manufacturer Kudoke has won its second Petite Aiguille (petite hand) award at the 2024 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG).
The Kudoke 3 Salmon, a timepiece from the brand’s Handwerk collection, won the prestigious prize for watches priced between CHF3,000 and 10,000. This marks the brand’s second win in the same category, following the success of the Kudoke 2 in 2019.
The GPHG, often called the ‘Oscars of Swiss Watchmaking,’ is the most coveted accolade in the high-end watch industry. It celebrates excellence across various categories and offers major watch brands and small independent manufacturers a global platform.
The Geneva event brings together a distinguished panel of experts, collectors, and enthusiasts worldwide each year.
Speaking at the award ceremony on November 13, 2024, in Geneva, Stefan Kudoke, founder of Kudoke, reflected on the journey that led to this second triumph.
“It has been five years since we last stood here to receive our first award, and so much has happened. Many collectors and watch enthusiasts have discovered us and placed their trust in us. For that, we are deeply grateful.”
Stefan’s wife, Ev Kudoke, who co-manages the company, said: “A big thank you goes to our fantastic team. We are delighted that some of them are here today to share this special moment.”
GPHG Foundation
Kudoke also thanked the GPHG Foundation, the organiser of the 2024 GPHG, emphasising the importance of the event’s platform to independent brands. “This platform is invaluable for many smaller brands,” he said. “It gives us a chance to showcase our work to the world.”
With this win, Kudoke further solidifies its status as a creative force in independent watchmaking. “Today’s win shows that our first award was neither a coincidence nor luck,” Stefan concluded. “Creativity, courage, and consistency can lead to success.”
Kudoke is the only independent German watchmaker to win the Petite Aiguille award, which speaks volumes about the brand’s emphasis on artisanry, innovation, and distinctive design. This achievement further establishes Kudoke as a true ambassador of German watchmaking on the global stage.
Kudoke 3 Salmon
The Kudoke 3 Salmon is a testament to the brand’s commitment to tradition and innovation. As with previous models, the design language of the Handwerk collection is instantly recognisable, with applied elements that harmonise with the matte, frosted dial surface to create a watch of sophisticated simplicity.
The hour indication on the Kudoke 3 sets it apart from conventional designs. While the minutes are indicated traditionally by the large, blued steel hand above the dial ring, the hour indication is more unconventional.
A triple-armed hour hand, each arm of varying length, moves across an attached plate divided into three sections beneath the upper dial. As one arm reaches the end of its scale, the next arm indicates the next hour. This unique display allows certain hours (2, 6, and 10) to appear twice on different scales, giving the watch a distinctive and captivating look.
The salmon-coloured upper dial, adorned with a balancing logo plate, pairs perfectly with the silver-plated dial below, which features a gently curved wave shape. The two dials are joined together by four screws, which also double as the minute indicators. Additional diamond-cut edges on the hour plate, logo plate, and minute ring catch the light in fascinating ways, enhancing the watch’s visual appeal.
Details such as the infinity symbol, a key motif in the Handwerk collection, are subtly integrated into the design. Not only does it appear in the hand-engraving of the balance cock, but it is also found at the tip of the minute hand, as well as on the minute ring at the 60-minute position. These small touches add layers of meaning to an already impressive timepiece.
Encased in an understated 39mm stainless steel case, the Kudoke 3 Salmon exudes elegance and boldness. The classic onion crown and the 10.3mm case height offer a refined aesthetic. At the same time, the hand-wound, completely hand-finished KALIBER 1 movement is proudly displayed through the sapphire crystal case back. The watch is priced at €9,350 plus VAT.
Featured image: (L-R) Ev and Stefan Kudoke pose with the Petite Aiguille award that their family-run independent watch brand won for the Kudoke 3 Salmon at the 2024 edition of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. Credit: Kudoke
Last Updated on 4 weeks by Arnold Pinto
