The Louis Vuitton Watch Award for Independent Creatives announces the finalists and jury members for the 2025-26 edition

On December 16, Louis Vuitton announced its five finalists and five members of the final jury for the second edition of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for independent creatives, which will be awarded at an exclusive celebration ceremony on March 24, 2026.

Watch Prize finalist Daizoh Makihara's 'Beauties of Nature' wristwatch from Daizoh Makihara Watchcraft Japan incorporates the delicate and traditional Japanese cut crystal technique 'Edo Kiriko' into watchmaking for the first time in the world and its botanical design features an automatic petal mechanism, perpetual moon phase and 25-jewel movement running at 18,000 vibrations per hour. Fam Al Hut's independent watchmaker

Victor Monnin and Alexandre Hazemann of Hazemann & Monnin's 'School Watch' project celebrate the Morteau school of watchmaking with a completely in-house caliber HM01, synchronizing complex mechanics and precise poetry. Bernhard Lederer's 'CIC 39mm Racing Green' Lederer wristwatch features the first fully functional double-detent escapement in a wristwatch, highlighted by a transparent caseback and matte sanded 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 features an alarm, the first of its kind, with a vertically mounted hammer and minimalist hidden elements.

“Since the launch of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize, our admiration for the dynamism of independent watchmaking has continued to grow,” Louis Vuitton watch director Jean Arnault said in a statement. “These artisans create truly bold watches, uniting extraordinary technical mastery with the audacity to challenge convention and, in doing so, push the boundaries of what is possible. As we celebrate this year's finalists, I also want to thank the entire watch 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, the five Louis Vuitton 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' watches based on the principles of design, creativity, innovation, craftsmanship and technical complexity to discern the top five.

Carole Forestier-Kasapi, director of fine watchmaking and movement strategy at Tag Heuer, will take over as president of the Watch Prize 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, artistic director of La Fabrique du temps Louis Vuitton; 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 and a year of specially designed mentoring by experts from La Fabrique du Temps and Louis Vuitton. “The future looks bright and we are excited to see what's next,” said Jean Arnault.