Gabriel Tortella, Co-Founder of Antiquorum, Originator of the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie, Dead At 71

April 20, 2011

The world of horology lost another legend this week with the passing of Gabriel Tortella. A passionate watch collector who was deeply devoted to the success of the Swiss watch industry, Tortella co-founded?Antiquorum with Osvaldo Patrizzi in 1974.Five years later, he and?Jean-Claude Pittard?co-founded La Tribune Des Arts, a monthly magazine based in Geneva that focused on the beautiful: watches, art, and antiquities. In 2001, Pittard and Tortella created the?Grand Prix d'Horlogerie, whose awards are highly coveted each year.Tortella, born in Italy, passed away of natural causes at the age of 71 in Denia, Spain.