Louis Vuitton reveals the 20 semi-finalists for the second round of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize, targeting independent watchmakers.
The Louis Vuitton Watch Prize, a biennial award created in collaboration with La Fabrique du Temps, Louis Vuitton's watchmaking facility in Meyrin, Switzerland, has announced its shortlist for the 2025-2026 edition. This prestigious prize aims to support creativity, innovation, and craftsmanship in independent watchmaking.
The 20 semi-finalists hail from various parts of the world, with some based in Switzerland, while others come from Asia, such as China's Fam Al Hut and Mgraver, and Japan's Masa & Co. and Quiet Club. The list also includes watchmakers from Europe, like Anton Suhanov, JN Shapiro, Auffret Paris (Theo Auffret), Petermann Bédat, Kallinich Claeys, Hazemann & Monnin, Lederer, Reuben Schoots, Kudoke, and David Candaux.
The semi-finalists bring together a broad mix of backgrounds, styles, and watchmaking philosophies. For instance, Auffret Paris' 'Giverny Blue Train' is recognised for its artistic detail, while Fabian Pellet's 'Essentiel' stands out for its clean, pared-back design. Quiet Club's 'Fading Hours' is appreciated for its stripped-back aesthetic and unusual alarm function.
A new generation of watchmakers, including Kallinich Claeys, Mineroci, and Daizoh Makihara, are pushing boundaries with design and technique. These independent watchmakers, according to Jean Arnault, Louis Vuitton's Watch Director, create original instruments of precision that are also works of art.
In March 2026, the five finalists will travel to Paris to present their creations in person. The winner of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize will receive €150,000 and a year-long mentorship with specialists from Louis Vuitton and La Fabrique du Temps.
This year, 20 semi-finalists were selected from hundreds of entries across the globe. A committee of 65 industry experts will evaluate each creation across five categories this autumn. The prize was first awarded in 2023 to Swiss watchmaker Raúl Pagès.
The Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives continues to celebrate and support the diverse and innovative world of independent watchmaking.
- The diverse pool of semi-finalists for the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize, originating from different continents like Asia, Europe, and Switzerland, also includes independent watchmakers who are pioneering within the fashion-and-beauty and technology domains, such as Kallinich Claeys, Mineroci, and Daizoh Makihara.
- The preeminent fashion-and-beauty industry is not the only field where creativity, innovation, and craftsmanship are being encouraged; as evidenced by the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize, the realm of watchmaking is also fostering the same values, with heavenly rewards like a €150,000 prize and a year-long mentorship with Louis Vuitton and La Fabrique du Temps.
- Biennially, the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize acknowledges independent watchmakers who epitomize excellence in their work, as shown by the artistic finesse of Auffret Paris' 'Giverny Blue Train' and the clean, pared-back design of Fabian Pellet's 'Essentiel'.
- The journey of these semi-finalists culminates in the lifestyle capital of Paris, where they will display their unique travel-inspired creations personally to the panel of 65 industry experts in March 2026, demonstrating the significant impact that technology has on these modern works of art.
