GPHG 2024

Independent watch manufacturer KUDOKE celebrates another major achievement: for the second time, the company has been honored with the prestigious “Petite Aiguille Award” at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG). After the KUDOKE 2 won in the same category in 2019, the KUDOKE 3 Salmon has now captured the international jury’s attention in the category for watches priced between 3,000 and 10,000 CHF.

The GPHG is regarded as the highest accolade in the world of watchmaking, often referred to as the “Oscars of Watchmaking.” Each year, it celebrates outstanding achievements across various categories, offering both major brands and small, independent manufacturers an international platform. The ceremony takes place in Geneva and attracts watch experts, collectors, and enthusiasts from around the globe.

“It has been five years since we last stood here to receive our first award, and so much has happened since then,” said company founder Stefan Kudoke during the award ceremony on November 13, 2024, in Geneva. “Many collectors and watch enthusiasts have discovered us and placed their trust in us. For that, we are deeply grateful.”

Since the first win, KUDOKE has continued to evolve. The manufacture has found a new home, and the team has grown. “A big thank you goes to our fantastic team. We are especially happy that some of them are here today to share this special moment with us,” added Ev Kudoke, who runs the company alongside her husband.

Special thanks also go to the GPHG Foundation, which, through its annual event, provides a platform for both established and independent watch brands to showcase their craftsmanship. “This platform is invaluable for many smaller brands,” Kudoke emphasized.

With the award for the KUDOKE 3, the brand reinforces its status as a creative force in the realm of independent watchmaking. “Today’s win shows that our first award was neither a  coincidence nor luck,” Kudoke concluded. “It proves that creativity, courage, and consistency can lead to success.”

As the only independent German watchmaker to win this award so far, Stefan Kudoke sends a strong signal about the importance of craftsmanship and innovation. This achievement establishes KUDOKE as a true ambassador for German watchmaking on the international stage.

About Kudoke 3 salmon

 As with the two previous models, the unique signature of the HANDwerk collection is unmistakable in this timepiece. Again applied elements harmonize with the matte frosted dial surface, lending the watch a sophisticated simplicity. And yet, with KUDOKE 3 independent watchmaker Stefan Kudoke has decided to chose a somewhat unconventional way of displaying the time:

While the minutes are “traditionally” indicated by the large blued steel hand above the dial ring sitting at the top, the hour indication is what makes this watch so exceptional.

Placed on an attached plate and divided into three sections on the level below the upper dial, the hour is indicated with the help of a triple-armed hour hand – each hand with different lengths running between the two dials. When one arm of the hand reaches the end of the hour scale, the next longer or shorter arm appears at the beginning of the next hour scale. Hours 2, 6 and 10 are then shown twice on different scales before the current handarm moves on. Simple, yet unique.

The salmon upper dial with the balancing logo plate matches the hour plate on the silver-plated dial below with its gently curved wave shape. It is mounted on the lower dial together with the minute  chapter ring by four screws, which represent the minute indicators 10, 20, 40 and 50 at the same time. Diamond edges on hour plate, logo plate as well as minute chapter ring offer interesting possibilities for playing with light.

But as so often in life, it’s the details what gives it that extra something. Thus, the infinity sign as  symbol of the HANDwerk collection can not just be found in the hand-engraving of the balance cock. In addition to being integrated into the tip of the minute hand, it has also been printed on the minute ring at the position of 60, where it connects the end and the beginning of each hour. Above that the three-arm hour hand takes this very symbol and reverses it.

As with previous models, the understated 39 mm stainless steel case with classic onion crown and 10.3 mm case height provides an appropriate setting for this classic yet extravagant watch, the heart of which, hand-wound and completely hand-finished movement KALIBER 1, is exposed through the sapphire crystal case back.