INHORGENTA AWARD 2026 – Industry barometer and stage for excellence
The INHORGENTA Munich is one of the most important European trade fairs for jewelry, watches and gemstones – a place where trends and market movements become visible, design currents emerge and international networks are cultivated.
Within this framework, the INHORGENTA AWARD has developed into one of the industry's most important awards. It acts as a barometer for quality, innovation, and craftsmanship – setting standards that extend far beyond the industry.
Last Saturday, in the Bavaria Film Studios The winners of the ninth INHORGENTA Award were honored in front of approximately 500 invited guests. Nazan Eckes hosted the evening, with musical accompaniment by LOI.
With 148 submissions from 19 countries, the award set a new record in 2026 – a clear sign of its relevance and international appeal.
The evening was hosted by TV presenter Nazan Eckes, Singer [name] provided emotional highlights. LOI with a live act.
„The INHORGENTA AWARD demonstrates year after year the high level of innovation and craftsmanship that characterizes the jewelry, watch and gemstone industry. This year’s winners combine material understanding, technical precision and creative vision at the highest level,“ said Stefan Rummel, CEO of Messe München.
The winners of 2026 at a glance
A total of ten awards were presented. Nine prizes were selected by an international panel of experts, while the "Luxury Watch of the Year | Public Choice" was decided by the public after a preliminary selection by a panel of experts.
- Gemstone Design of the Year: Arnoldi International – Bicolor Imperial Topaz
- Fine Jewelry of the Year: Capolavoro – „Grace 1991“ ring“
- High Jewelry of the Year: Krisonia Alta Gioielleria – White gold necklace with sapphires and diamonds
- Designer of the Year: Johannes Hundt – Pendant „Untitled“
- Design Newcomer of the Year: Georg Schiller – „Affinity Bracelet“
- Mechanical Watch of the Year: Tutima Glassworks – „PATRIA in Titanium“
- Watch Design of the Year: Accutron by Bulova – „26A211 Spaceview 314 Tuning Fork“
- Luxury Watch of the Year | Public choice: Glashütte Original – „PanoMaticLunar“
- Goldsmith of the Year: Ruth Sellack
- Jeweler of the Year: Jeweler Müller
The winners of the Inhorgenta Award 2026:
Gemstone Design of the Year
In this category, the focus is on the gemstone itself: cut, proportion, light direction and material quality.
Winner: Arnoldi International
Fine Jewelry of the Year
The award recognizes jewelry pieces that combine elegant, timeless design with high-quality materials and superior workmanship.
Winner: Capolavoro
High Jewelry of the Year
Starting at a sales price of €30,000, this category recognizes exceptional creations with the highest standards of craftsmanship.
Krisonia Alta Gioielleria
Designer of the Year
This category honors individuals and brands whose design signature shapes the industry. The focus is on distinctive design languages, a masterful handling of materials and proportions, and the ability to combine contemporary impulses with artisanal substance.
Winner: Johannes Hundt
Design Newcomer of the Year
The award recognizes up-and-coming talents who impress with fresh ideas, craftsmanship, and a clear vision.
Winner: Georg Schiller
Mechanical Watch of the Year
The focus is on mechanical timepieces that impress with masterful construction, sophisticated finishing and technical refinement.
Tutima Glassworks
Watch Design of the Year
The award is given to watches where design, function and technology form a harmonious whole.
Winner: Accutron by Bulova
Luxury Watch of the Year | Public Choice
In cooperation with WirtschaftsWoche, readers chose their favorite from a selection of luxury watches priced between €5,000 and €75,000. A separate panel of experts had previously selected 14 models that impressed with their high horological quality and design.
The top 3 in the reader vote come from:
Winner: Glashütte Original
Goldsmith of the Year
In cooperation with the trade magazine GZ Goldschmiede Zeitung, this award recognizes companies that combine individual craftsmanship, design quality and personal consultation at the highest level.
Winner: Ruth Sellack (Stuttgart)
Jeweler of the Year
Also in cooperation with the GZ Goldschmiede Zeitung, this category recognizes jewelers who set standards with outstanding advice and a convincing overall concept.
Jeweler Müller (Kempten)
Jury with international expertise
The finalists were selected by an international jury of experts from the jewelry, watch, retail, and gemstone industries. This year's jury members include:
Gisbert L. Brunner (watch expert & author), Leo Eberlin (jewelry designer, Leo Mathild), Anja Heiden (member of the management 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)
Jury Luxury Watch of the Year | Public Choice: 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).
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