Louis Vuitton is pleased to announce the five finalists and the five final jury members for the second edition of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives.
"Since the launch of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize, our admiration for the dynamism of independent watchmaking has continued to grow. 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.
The future looks promising, and we're excited to see what's next." said Jean Arnault, Watch Director at Louis Vuitton.
The 2025-2026 edition of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize drew a significant number of submissions from around the world. Among them, 20 semifinalists were evaluated by a Committee of Experts comprised of 65 watch enthusiasts, industry representatives and collectors from around the world. Candidates' timepieces were evaluated according to five criteria: Design, Creativity, Innovation, Craftsmanship and Technical Complexity.
The winner will be announced during an exclusive & prestigious celebration ceremony that evening. The Prize includes a grant of 150,000 euros as well as a one year mentorship tailored to the need of their creative project by experts from La Fabrique du Temps and Louis Vuitton.
The five finalists for the 2025-2026 edition of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives are (in alphabetical order) :
Finalist 2025-2026 Daizoh Makihara Watchcraft Japan
Daizoh Makihara Watchcraft Japan - Daizoh Makihara - Beauties Of Nature
Independent watchmaker since 2017.
The one-of-a-kind Beauties of Nature wristwatch features an automatic petal mechanism that opens and closes and operates across dual time scales: a 24-hour display at 10 o'clock and a 12-hour display at 2 o'clock each operates according to its respective cycle and closes at set intervals. The hand-wound DM 02 movement incorporates a perpetual moon phase accurate to one day's error in 122 years.
In a world first, the dial was crafted using Edo Kiriko, the traditional Japanese cut-glass technique, and depicts "White-eye and Cherry Blossoms" with hand-engraved hemp leaf patterns on both front and case back. The case in white gold measures 42mm in diameter, and the 25-jewel movement runs at 18,000 vibrations per hour.
"As a student discovering watchmaking, I realized / wanted to create watches that reflected my own vision - and to build a bridge between Japan and traditional crafts."
Finalist 2025-2026 Fam Al Hut
Fam Al Hut – Xinyan Dai – Möbius
Independent watchmaker since 2024.
The Möbius mechanical, manual-wind wristwatch presents the most compact bi-axis tourbillon conceived to date. Named for the infinite loop that defines its structure, this timepiece blends paradox and poetry: one half of the watch houses a Möbius-shaped tourbillon cage that rotates on two axes, while the other presents, in lieu of a traditional dial, an original combination of double retrograde displays and a jumping hour mechanism-a mechanical first. Measuring a modest 42.2mm by 24.3mm, this lug-free design requires more than 200 hours of handcraftsmanship.
"After years of studying and working in Europe and witnessing countless miracles in watchmaking, I felt a calling to create something of my own - Fam al Hut bridges tradition and the future."
Finalist 2025-2026 Hazemann & Monnin
Hazemann & Monnin – Victor Monnin and Alexandre Hazemann – School Watch
Independent watchmakers since 2024
A tribute to the Morteau school of watchmaking, where watchmakers met, this model is a new interpretation of the Hazemann & Monnin School Watch, featuring a 39.5mm case and the HMO1 caliber, a movement conceived, manufactured, and finished in-house without relying on existing architecture. The caliber showcases two rare complications in perfect synchronization: a passing strike that chimes each hour and an instantaneous jumping hour, which together create a precise and poetic mechanical choreography.
"Hazemann & Monnin grew from a long-standing friendship and a shared passion for fine watchmaking - united by the desire to craft watches with true complications."
Finalist 2025-2026 Lederer
Bernhard Lederer – CIC 39 mm Racing Green
Independent watchmaker since 1985.
The Lederer CIC 39 Racing Green presents the first fully functional dual detent escapement in a wristwatch, featuring a movement with twin escapements and dual remontoirs d'égalité for constant energy transmission. Visible through a transparent case back, the 212-component movement reveals double gear trains and constant-force mechanisms, while its sanded, matte dial showcases its patented escapement and layered sub-dials with inverted seconds. The 39mm case is 10.75mm thick, and the COSC-certified movement is 98% manufactured in-house.
"Lederer was born from a quiet yet relentless quest to understand and perfect mechanical timekeeping, revealing the beauty of an art that lies at the heartbeat of true watchmaking."
Finalist 2025-2026 Quiet Club
Quiet Club - Norifumi Seki - Fading Hours
Independent watchmaker since 2024.
Conceived and handcrafted in Tokyo, the Fading Hours wristwatch features a mechanical movement made almost entirely in-house and a first-of-its-kind alarm with a vertically mounted hammer that strikes the dial itself to produce sound. That operation is executed via a mono-pusher controlling all alarm functions, while a rotating bezel sets the alarm time; when not in use, dedicated hands for the alarm hour and minutes remain concealed behind the time hands. The 40mm titanium case measures 44mm lug-to-lug and is just 12mm thick; the manual-wind movement offers a 50-hour power reserve.
"We believe the tradition of watchmaking is not only about fine craftsmanship, but also about the spirit of invention - creating new mechanics that respond to everyday needs."
On March 24t, 2026, the five finalists will present their timepiece projects to a panel of five jury members at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris.
About the Jury
The five jury members for the 2025-2026 edition of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives were nominated by their peers in the Committee of Experts.
They are (in alphabetical order):
- President of the Jury, Carole Forestier-Kasapi, Haute Horlogerie and Movements Strategy Director at Tag Heuer.
- 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.
- Kari Voutilainen, Master Watchmaker & owner of the Voutilainen workshops.
About la Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton
Maison Louis Vuitton began making watches in 2002 with the Tambour and has since pursued a constant quest for excellence in an area that resonates powerfully with the House's passion for travel.
In October 2014, the Maison inaugurated its new watch manufacture, a state-of-the-art facility on the cusp of creativity and technology for innovative timepieces, in Meyrin, Switzerland. La Fabrique du Temps - literally
"the time factory" - is home to all the different specialized skills required to make Louis Vuitton watches.
Creative independence and groundbreaking innovation define the La Fabrique du Temps, 4,000 square meters of luminous open space equipped with both traditional artisanal tools and the latest digital technologies.
The master watchmakers, engineers and designers who craft Louis Vuitton watches enjoy an exceptional setting that consolidates their prestigious "Swiss Made" label.
About Louis Vuitton
Since 1854, Louis Vuitton has brought unique designs to the world, combining innovation with style, always aiming for the finest quality and preserving biodiversity.
Today, the House remains faithful to the spirit of its founder, Louis Vuitton, who invented a genuine
"Art of Travel" through luggage, bags and accessories which were as creative as they were elegant and practical. Since then, audacity has shaped the story of Louis Vuitton.
Faithful to its heritage, Louis Vuitton has opened its doors to architects, artists and designers across the years, all the while developing disciplines such as ready-to-wear, shoes, accessories, watches, jewellery, and fragrance.
These carefully created products are testament to Louis Vuitton's commitment to fine craftsmanship.
For further information:
louisvuittonwatchprize.com
