As a foundation member of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, it’s about this time each year I get to pass judgment on the latest watch releases, a wonderful exercise in all care and little responsibility.

There are several stages of voting for the so-called Oscars of watchmaking, electronic through to a final panel of peers, whittling more than 200 entries down to winners in 15 categories. Similar to Hollywood’s shindig, the ballots are secret, monitored by notaries, with the prizes handed out at a glittering black-tie event attended by the industry’s stars.