By Adam Keith, Associate Timepiece Editor for ViaLuxe-

The Gaia Prize, an award given to outstanding achievers in the luxury watch industry, has this year reflected on the excellence of leading independent watchmakers.  Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey were awarded the top prize in the "Entrepreneurship" category, for their accomplishments with their eponymous firm Greubel Forsey SA.  Greubel and Forsey, both former watchmakers in the prestigious complications atelier of Renaud & Papi, are known for their remarkable tourbillon timepieces featuring multiple tourbillons or tourbillons with inclined cages to produce ultimate chronometric precision in a wristwatch format.  

The Gaia 2009 jury awarded the top prize in the "Craftsmanship-Creation" category to watchmaker Beat Haldimann.  Haldimann, founder of the specialty firm Haldimann Horology is perhaps best known for his ingenious H1 centralized flying tourbillon and the even more complex H2 Resonance Tourbillon.  This latter model presents two tourbillon regulators at the center of the dial; a proprietary resonance coupling spring joins both balances together through their dual system of overcoil hairsprings.  

The jury voting process was conducted at the Musee International d'Horlogerie in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland with financial backing for the Gaia Prize coming from the banking institution Julius Baer & Cie SA.  An official ceremony in which the winners will receive their prizes is forthcoming, and will take place on September 17th, 2009. 

Click here to visit the Greubel Forsey homepage, and here to access Haldimann Horology.