Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives | Finalists And Jury Revealed
Louis Vuitton proudly unveils the finalists for its inaugural Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives. This exclusive event, set to take place on February 6, 2024, at the Fondation Louis Vuitton, promises an evening of horological excellence and celebrates the visionaries shaping the future of independent watchmaking.
After an intensive jury selection that drew nearly 1,000 submissions, five remarkable independent watchmakers emerged as finalists, each vying for the coveted Louis Vuitton Watch Prize. 20 semi-finalists were pre-selected and presented to a Committee of Experts composed of 45 watch enthusiasts. Candidates were evaluated according to five criteria: design, creativity, innovation, craftsmanship, and technical complexity. The finalists, Petermann Bédat, Simon Brette, John-Mikaël Flaux, Andreas Strehler, and Raúl Pagès, will present their unique timepieces to the distinguished Final Jury, with the winner to be announced during the glamorous award ceremony.
Luxury takes center stage as these masterful artisans showcase their creations, pushing the boundaries of design, creativity, innovation, craftsmanship, and technical complexity. With nearly a thousand applicants and a rigorous selection process, the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize exemplifies a commitment to recognizing exceptional talent within the realm of independent watchmaking.
Let’s take a look at the list of the five Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives finalists.
1. Petermann Bédat, Gaël Petermann, and Florian Bédat, independent watchmakers since 2017 — Chronographe Rattrapante:
Gaël Petermann and Florian Bédat’s collaboration culminates in the Chronographe Rattrapante ref. 2941. A technologically complex masterpiece, this monopusher split-second chronograph boasts a solid platinum case, paying homage to classic pocket watches.
2. Simon Brette, Simon Brette, independent watchmaker since 2022 — Chronometre Artisans:
Simon Brette’s craftsmanship shines in the Chronometre Artisans, a three-handed wristwatch with a case crafted from a corrosion-resistant zirconium alloy. The neo-classical partially-openworked dial features a prominent ‘dragon scales’ pattern in solid 5N red gold.
3. John-Mikaël Flaux, John-Mikaël Flaux, independent watchmaker since 2018 — L’Abeille Mécanique:
John-Mikaël Flaux presents the L’Abeille Mécanique, a mechanical bee clock crafted from gold and silver. The carousel movement allows the bee to rotate, with the stinger indicating the current hour on the base’s engraved scale.
4. Andreas Strehler, Andreas Strehler, and Enrico Santoni, independent watchmakers since 1995 — Tischkalender Sympathique:
Andreas Strehler introduces the Tischkalender Sympathique, a mechanical perpetual desk calendar made from gilded brass and lapis lazuli. The detachable Damascus steel pocket watch adds a touch of sophistication. The desk calendar unit features a mechanical memory that automatically synchronizes to the correct date once the pocket watch is returned to the desk calendar unit.
5. Pagès, Raúl Pagès, independent watchmaker since 2012 — RP1 Régulateur à Détente:
Raúl Pagès unveils the RP1 Régulateur à Détente, featuring a stainless steel case paired with a regulator display and a hand-made detent escapement. The patented roller system ensures precision, overcoming the challenges of shock resistance.
The jury, elected by their peers from the event’s Committee of Experts, includes Carole Forestier-Kasapi, Movements Director at TAG Heuer, Auro Montanari, watch collector and writer Rexhep Rexhepi, founder of Akrivia and independent watchmaker, Jiaxian Su, journalist and Founder of SJX Watches, and Michael Tay (Jury President), Managing Director of The Hour Glass.
Stay tuned for the grand reveal on February 6, 2024, when one visionary watchmaker will be declared the winner, earning a prestigious year-long mentorship at La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton and a significant financial prize. Louis Vuitton continues to champion the dreamers and rule-breakers who redefine luxury in the world of independent watchmaking. For more information, please visit the official LVMH website.
