In a world where artisanal watchmaking is often overshadowed by mass production, Louis Vuitton continues to champion independent talent with the announcement of the 20 semi-finalists for the 2025–2026 Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives.
Created in collaboration with La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, the Prize is more than a competition, it’s a philanthropic initiative aimed at nurturing the next generation of watchmakers whose work blends imagination, technical prowess, and uncompromising craftsmanship.
This year’s semi-finalists were selected from hundreds of global entries and reflect a dynamic spectrum of creative approaches. From Fam Al Hut’s hypnotic and futuristic “Mark 1 Möbius” in China to Anton Suhanov’s whimsical “St. Petersburg Easter Egg Tourbillon Clock” in Russia, and from the sculptural precision of Reuben Schoots in Australia to the heritage-driven innovation of Auffret Paris’ “Giverny Blue Train,” the shortlist captures the kaleidoscopic richness of contemporary independent horology.
Talking to I-M Inquisitive Minds, the founder of Fam Al Hut, Lukas Young, said, “Being among the top 20 in the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize is a great honour for us. As a young brand just 15 months old, we’re grateful for the recognition and the visibility this global platform brings.
“The competition supports new voices in watchmaking, something the industry truly needs. While we don’t see ourselves as luxury creators, we aim to express design, art, and imagination through watches – like high-end toys, as Xinyan Dai [co-founder and designer] put it. This moment marks our first step beyond China, and we’re excited to continue exploring.”
“Independent creators are the soul of watchmaking,” says Jean Arnault, Director of Watches at Louis Vuitton. “Their ability to innovate without compromise makes them invaluable to the future of the craft.”
A committee of 65 international experts will now evaluate the semi-finalists’ timepieces based on five criteria: design, creativity and audacity, complexity, technical innovation, and finishing. The five finalists will be announced in December 2025, ahead of a final presentation in Paris in March 2026. The winner will receive a €150,000 grant and a year-long mentorship programme provided by La Fabrique du Temps and Louis Vuitton specialists.
The initiative reinforces Louis Vuitton’s wider philanthropic ethos: to preserve and promote traditional crafts in a fast-evolving world. At the heart of this effort is La Fabrique du Temps, the brand’s Swiss-based manufacture, where cutting-edge technology meets centuries-old horological expertise. Here, master watchmakers and engineers work in synergy to develop timepieces that are both technically ground-breaking and aesthetically distinctive.
With the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives, the maison is doing more than honouring talent – it is safeguarding the future of independent horology. By investing in singular creative voices and offering tangible support, Louis Vuitton ensures that watchmaking continues to evolve as an expressive, artisanal discipline.
As the journey to Paris continues, these 20 semi-finalists stand as inspiring examples of what happens when precision meets passion – reminding us all that time, when placed in the right hands, becomes a work of art.
Author: Julia Pasarón
You can learn about the 2024-2025 Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives, HERE.
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