Louis Vuitton has opened applications for the “Watch Prize for Independent Creatives”.
This is the second edition of the prize, which runs every two years.
It is held by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton in Switzerland.
The stated aim of the competition is to encourage the talents of tomorrow, and to “honour the passion for know-how, creativity and innovation that drives the players in the watchmaking industry in their quest for excellence”.
The first edition in 2022 saw more than a thousand entries from artisans in 15 countries.
The prize was revealed in January 2024, with Swiss watchmaker Raúl Pagès winning for his RP1 – Régulateur à Détente watch.
“At Louis Vuitton, creativity and expertise are at the heart of our approach; two values that we share with independent watchmakers,” said Jean Arnault, Director of the Watchmaking Division at Louis Vuitton.
He added: “The first edition of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize was a real success and demonstrated the Maison’s strong commitment to supporting these exceptional talents and their ability to push the boundaries of traditional watchmaking. For these remarkable candidates, the prize represents a unique opportunity to highlight their original concepts and extraordinary creations.”
The applications are first studied by a team in collaboration with Enrico Barbasini and Michel Navas, Master Watchmakers of La Fabrique du Temps.
Twenty semi-finalists are then evaluated by an international committee of industry experts, including distributors, collectors, specialist journalists, artists, artisans, designers and other watch enthusiasts.
Selections are made on the basis of the following five criteria: Design and Aesthetics, Creativity and Audacity, Technical Innovation, Details and Finishes and finally Complexity.
The winner will receive a prize of €150,000 and a one-year mentorship at La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton.
Projects need to be submitted by April 15 2025, and candidates can register online at louisvuittonwatchprize.com