Record Number of Entries and Strong International Participation: Finalists of the INHORGENTA AWARD 2026 Announced

For the ninth time, the INHORGENTA AWARD honors outstanding achievements in the jewelry, watch and gemstone industry. As one of the central highlights of INHORGENTA—Europe’s leading trade fair platform—the award makes visible what defines excellence today: exceptional design, highest levels of craftsmanship and a clear commitment to artisanal expertise.

“With a total of 148 submissions, we are setting a new record this year. This underlines the international relevance of the INHORGENTA AWARD as an established benchmark within the industry and reaffirms its role in defining standards of craftsmanship,” says Stefanie Mändlein, Exhibition Director of INHORGENTA.

The internationally composed expert jury selected three finalists per category. The spectrum ranges from exceptional gemstones and high jewelry to mechanical timepieces as well as design, retail and emerging talent categories. The highest number of submissions this year was recorded in the Design Newcomer category.

Stephen Webster, jewelry designer and jury member of the INHORGENTA AWARD 2026, adds: “This has by far been the strongest year for the Design Newcomer category—not only in terms of the sheer number of submissions, but also due to the remarkable depth of potential winners. We are seeing genuine innovation, bold yet intelligent use of materials and a refreshing sense of individuality. This diversity is precisely what makes the award so relevant to the future of the industry.”

The winners of the INHORGENTA AWARD 2026 will be announced on Saturday, 21 February 2026, during a glamorous gala evening at the Bavaria Film Studios. TV host Nazan Eckes will guide the audience through the evening, accompanied by live music from LOI.

Finalists 2026—Category Overview

Gemstone Design of the Year
This category places the gemstone itself at the center: cut, proportions, brilliance and material quality. The finalists include a bi-color Imperial Topaz by Arnoldi International, a Heliodor by Ekkehard F. Schneider and a pink spinel by Nomad's.

Fine Jewelry of the Year
This category recognizes pieces that combine elegant, timeless design with premium materials and exceptional craftsmanship. The finalists are the “Grace 1991” ring by Capolavoro, the “Altura” ring by H. Krieger and the “Electra Necklace” by Kinraden.

High Jewelry of the Year
With a minimum retail price of EUR 30,000, this category honors extraordinary creations of the highest artisanal standard. The finalists include Catherine Sauvage by Hahn with a floral brooch featuring a central aquamarine drop, Fabio Collection Milano with a diamond-set yellow gold necklace, and Krisonia Alta Gioielleria with a white gold necklace set with numerous gemstones.

Designer of the Year
This category honors designers and brands whose creative signature shapes the industry. The focus lies on distinctive design languages, confident use of materials and proportion, and the ability to combine contemporary impulses with strong craftsmanship. The finalists are Art'G Design, Johannes Hundt and Sian Design.

Design Newcomer of the Year
The award recognizes emerging talents who stand out through fresh ideas, technical precision and a clear creative vision. The finalists Gazelle Abedi, Georg Schiller and Niklas Vaitl represent a new generation of designers who reflect tradition while forging new paths.

Mechanical Watch of the Year
This category highlights mechanical timepieces distinguished by masterful construction, refined finishing and technical sophistication. The finalists are Mühle-Glashütte with the “Sportivo Großdatum,” Sinn Spezialuhren with the “104 Klassik 12,” and Tutima Glashütte with the “PATRIA in Titan.”

Watch Design of the Year
This category honors watches where design, function and technology form a coherent unity. The finalists are Accutron by Bulova with the “26A211 Spaceview 314 Tuning Fork,” Citizen with “The Citizen 30th Anniversary Limited Edition AQ4100-57C”, and Sinn Spezialuhren with the “U50 HYDRO.”

Luxury Watch of the Year | Public Choice
In cooperation with WirtschaftsWoche, readers select their favorite from a curated range of luxury watches priced between EUR 5,000 and EUR 75,000. A separate expert jury pre-selected 14 models distinguished by horological quality and design excellence. The Top 3 of the public vote are “Ballon Bleu” by Cartier, “PanoMaticLunar” by Glashütte Original and “Land-Dweller 40” by Rolex.

Goldsmith of the Year
In cooperation with the trade magazine GZ Goldschmiede Zeitung, this category honors ateliers that unite individual craftsmanship, design quality and outstanding personal consultation. The four finalists are Kinzel & Rall—Haus der Golschmiedekunst (Kempten), Ruth Sellack (Stuttgart), Atelier Schon (Hamburg) and Tiroler Goldschmied (Dorf Tirol).

Jeweler of the Year
Also in cooperation with GZ Goldschmiede Zeitung, this category recognizes jewelers who set standards in advisory excellence and overall concept. The finalists are Eppli by blocher partners (Stuttgart), Juwelier Laufer (Minden), Juwelier Mühlbacher (Regensburg) and Juwelier Müller (Kempten).

Jury with International Expertise
The finalists were selected by an international jury of experts from the jewelry, watch, retail and gemstone sectors. This year’s jury members include:

• Gisbert L. Brunner—Watch expert & author
• Leo Eberlin—Jewelry designer, Leo Mathild
• Anja Heiden—Member of the Executive Board, WEMPE
• Joern F. Kengelbach—Editor at Large swisswatches & Editorial Adviser WirtschaftsWoche
• Patrik Muff—Jewelry designer
• Daniel Nyfeler—Managing Director, Gübelin Gem Lab
• Katerina Perez—Founder & Editor-in-Chief
• Christoph Stelzer—Retail specialist, Dfrost
• Stephen Webster—Jewelry designer

Luxury Watch of the Year | Public Choice Jury:
Gisbert L. Brunner (Uhrenkosmos.com), Robert-Jan Broer (Fratellowatches.com), Frank Geelen (Monochrome-Watches.com), Kristian Haagen (Kristianhaagen.com), Joern F. Kengelbach (WirtschaftsWoche), Pierre-André Schmitt (Bilanz) and Zurab Zazashvili (Swisswatches-Magazine.com).

Further information on the individual categories and criteria.