Louis Vuitton has named 20 watchmakers and their most impressive recent creations as semi-finalists for the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives.
The prize, which was won in its inaugural year by Swiss watchmaker Raúl Pagès, aims to celebrate and support the next generation of independent watchmakers across the world.
Supported by watchmaking hothouse La Fabrique du Temps, the prize comes not only with recognition by a jury of experts, but also with a mentoring and support programme that can turbocharge the career of a young creative.
“An important aspect of watchmaking lies with independent creators who transform a singular vision into mechanical artistry,” says Jean Arnault, Louis Vuitton watch director.
“This new generation of watchmakers is remarkable not only for their talent, but above all for daring to create truly original instruments of precision that are also works of art. The bold creations of the semi-finalists for the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize are a testament to this spirit. In their hands, watchmaking becomes an expression of pure creativity, each timepiece a testament to uncompromising craftsmanship and unique vision,” he adds.
The 20 semi-finalists for the 2025 Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives are:
- Anton Suhanov – St. Petersburg Easter Egg Tourbillon Clock
- JN Shapiro – Resurgence
- Auffret Paris – Giverny “Blue Train”
- David Candaux – DC6 Titanium
- Lederer – CIC 39mm Racing Green
- Fam Al Hut – Mobiüs
- Hazemann & Monnin – Hazemann & Monnin School Watch
- Kallinich Claeys – Einser Central Seconds “Hong Kong Edition”
- Fabian Pellet – Essentiel
- Kudoke – KUDOKE 5
- Behrens – KUNG FU
- Quiet Club – Fading Hours
- Reuben Schoots – Series Two
- Tasaki – Face Of Tasaki “Black Mother Of Pearl”
- Daizoh Makihara – Beauties Of Nature
- Masa & Co. – SOHKOKU
- Mgraver – Ventrallis
- Mineroci – RD002
- Petermann Bédat – Seconde Morte
- Winnerl – The Tremblage Dial
A Prize Committee of 65 experts will judge entries based on design, creativity and audacity, details and finishes, complexity and technical innovation.
Semi-finalists will be whittled down to five by December, whose creations will be put before a smaller jury of five members who have been selected from among the original 65.
The will will receive a grant of €150,000 and one year of mentorship tailored to the need of their creative project by experts from La Fabrique du Temps and Louis Vuitton.