Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives announces finalists and jury members for 2025-26 edition

On December 16, Louis Vuitton unveiled its five finalists and five final jury members for the second edition of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives, to be awarded at an exclusive celebration ceremony on March 24, 2026.

 
Watch Prize finalist Daizoh Makihara of Daizoh Makihara Watchcraft Japan’s ‘Beauties of Nature’ wristwatch entry incorporates the delicate, traditional Japanese cut-glass technique ‘Edo Kiriko’ into watchmaking in a world first and his botanical design features an automatic petal mechanism, perpetual moon phase, and 25-jewel movement running at 18,000 vibrations per hour. Independent watchmaker Xinyan Dai of Fam Al Hut’s mechanical, manual-wind wristwatch named ‘Möbius’ presents the most compact bi-axis tourbillon conceived to date, blending tradition and future-facing innovation with over 200 hours of handcraftsmanship.
 
Victor Monnin and Alexandre Hazemann of Hazemann & Monnin’s ‘School Watch’ entry celebrates the Morteau school of watchmaking with a fully in-house made HM01 calibre, synchronising complex mechanics and precise poetry. Bernhard Lederer of Lederer’s wristwatch ‘CIC 39 mm Racing Green’ presents the first fully functional dual detent escapement in a wristwatch, highlighted by a transparent case back and sanded, matte dial.

Quiet Club’s Norifumi Seki has entered ‘Fading Hours,’ designed to innovate “new mechanics that respond to everyday needs,” according to the watchmaker. Created almost entirely in-house, the watch has a first-of-its-kind alarm with a vertically mounted hammer and minimalist, concealed elements.

 
“Since the launch of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize, our admiration for the dynamism of independent watchmaking has continued to grow,” said Louis Vuitton’s watch director Jean Arnault in a release. “These artisans create truly audacious timepieces, uniting extraordinary technical mastery with the boldness to challenge convention, and in doing so, they push the very boundaries of what is possible. As we celebrate this year’s finalists, I also want to thank the entire watchmaking community for the enthusiasm and support behind this initiative. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the members of the expert committee.”
 
After receiving submissions from around the world, Louis Vuitton’s five finalists were chosen from a group of 20 semi-finalists, whose work was evaluated by a Committee of Experts. The 65 watch enthusiasts, industry representatives, and global collectors measured the candidates’ timepieces against the principles of design, creativity, innovation, craftsmanship, and technical complexity to discern the five top entries.

 
Carole Forestier-Kasapi, haute horlogerie and movements strategy director at Tag Heuer will take up the role of president of the Watch Prize’s jury after being nominated by the Committee of Experts. The jury also welcomes journalist Frank Geelen, founder and editor-in-chief of Monochrome Watches; Matthieu Hegi, La Fabrique du temps Louis Vuitton artistic director; watch enthusiast François-Xavier Overstake, founder and editor of Equation du Temps; and Kari Voutilainen, master watchmaker and owner of the Voutilainen workshops.
 
The winner of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives will receive 150,000 euros and a one-year specially tailored mentorship by experts from La Fabrique du Temps and Louis Vuitton. “The future looks promising, and we’re excited to see what’s next,” said Jean Arnault.