Last call for submissions to the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives! The submission is open through April 15, 2025.
This is a reminder call for interested Independent Creatives to submit their applications online on the dedicated Louis Vuitton Watch Prize website.
Highlight: Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives: call for submissions closes April 15
The opening call for the second edition of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives was issued on November 19, 2024, and the applications window will close on April 15, 2025. As a member of the Experts Committee for 2025-2026, I would like to encourage aspiring watchmakers to submit their applications before the closing date.
This is a very interesting and prestigious prize, held by Louis Vuitton once every two years. The prize is organised by their Swiss-based watch manufacture, La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, with a mission to recognise the passion for watchmaking savoir-faire, creativity, and innovation in the pursuit of excellence, by makers all over the world.
This initiative is open to independent watchmakers and entrepreneurs around the world, regardless of age, location, or specialisation, with a view to supporting and encouraging the great talents of the future. All that is required is a mechanical timepiece (watch or time object) that has been marketed before the closing date of application. Watchmakers do not necessarily need to have an in-house movement to take part.
The first edition closed in 2023, and drew more than 1,000 submissions from 15 countries. The result was announced in January 2024, where Swiss watchmaker Raúl Pagès impressed the jury and was awarded with his RP1 – Régulateur à Détente timepiece.
For the second edition, the rules have remained unchanged. Applications are reviewed a dedicated team in collaboration with Enroco Barbasini and Michel Navas. Twenty semi-finalists are pre-selected and revealed in July 2025. From then, the twenty will then be evaluated by the international members of the Experts Committee based on five criteria: Design & Aesthetics, Creativity & Audacity, Technical Innovation, Details & Finishings, and Complexity. This committee comprises of experts from different backgrounds to bring neutrality and impartiality to the evaluation. As a member of this committee, I can confirm that I am fully independent to perform my evaluation and selection, based on my own vision of the set criteria.
The Experts Committee for the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize 2025-2026.
The Experts Committee will complete their work by November 2025, and the result is a further short list of five finalists based on the above criteria. The Experts Committee will also vote for 5 members of the final jury among themselves to perform the final round of judging. In February 2026, the five finalists will gather to present their work to the final jury and the winner will be announced in a private reception hosted by Louis Vuitton in their honour.
The winner of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives will receive a grant of EUR 150,000 as well as a one-year mentorship tailored to the needs of its creative project with Michel Navas and Enrico Barbasini, Master Watchmakers at La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton. A dedicated team of experts from Louis Vuitton and La Fabrique du Temps will support the winner in multiple aspects, including with communication, copyright and corporate legal aspects, as well as marketing, industrial strategy and the financial management of a brand.
