The prestigious French label Louis Vuitton recently unveiled the composition of the panel of experts responsible for examining applications for the first edition of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives. Organized by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton in Geneva, Switzerland, this biennial competition aims to discover and promote new talent in the watchmaking industry.
The Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives is an independent philanthropic initiative to encourage innovation, creativity and daring in watchmaking. The prize also pays tribute to technical mastery and traditional know-how. Jean Arnault, founder of the prize and Director of Louis Vuitton’s watchmaking division, emphasizes the importance of the diversity of players and their potential for innovation for the future of the watchmaking industry.
For the first edition of this event, the panel of experts brings together watchmaking enthusiasts from around the world, including craftsmen, specialists, journalists and collectors, as well as creative minds from the worlds of entertainment, fashion and gastronomy. The jury will meet in September 2023 to review the entries and pre-select twenty semi-finalists, whose identities will be revealed online.
In December 2023, the expert commission will select five finalists based on criteria such as design, creativity, innovation, craftsmanship and technical complexity. The winner, who combines the best ideas in terms of design and technical know-how, will be announced at a ceremony hosted by Louis Vuitton in Paris in January 2024.
The winner will receive an endowment of 150,000 euros and exceptional mentoring at La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton. This one-year support will be tailored to the needs of the project, and a dedicated team will also advise on various aspects such as communication, copyright, legal aspects, marketing, industrial strategy and the financial management of a brand.
The panel includes such names as Ariel Adams, Hajime Asaoka, George Bamford, Enrico Barbasini, Cara Barrett, Carol Besler, Antonio Calce, Austen Chu, Ben Clymer, Adam Craniotes, Frank Declerck, Elizabeth Doerr, James Dowling, Philippe Dufour, Denis Flageollet, Carole Forsestier Kasapi, Jack Forster, Nick Foulkes, Jeffery Fowler, Maxime Frédéric, Frank Geelen, Frank Gehry, Evelyne Genta, Rémi Guillemin, Sam Hines, Kim Jones, Wei Koh, Eric Ku, Carine Maillard, Shawn Mehta, Auro Montanari, Tim Mosso, Michel Navas, Marc New Newson, François-Xavier Overstake, Laurent Picciotto, Anita Porchet, Justin Reis, Rexhep Rexhepi, Mike Shanlikian, Dick Steenman, Jiaxian Su, Michael Tay, Kari Voutilainen and Suzanne Wong.
La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, inaugurated in 2014, is an exceptional place where creativity and technology are placed at the service of innovative timepieces. Creative independence and cutting-edge innovation are the watchwords of this Swiss watch manufacturer located in Meyrin, which covers 4,000 m2 of open, bright spaces. La Fabrique du Temps brings together master watchmakers, engineers and designers who create Louis Vuitton timepieces, reinforcing its prestigious “Swiss Made” label.
Since 1854, Louis Vuitton has been synonymous with unique creations, where technical innovation and exacting style combine to offer the highest quality while respecting biodiversity. The House has invested in new fields of expression, such as ready-to-wear, shoes, accessories, watches, jewelry and perfume, and continues to collaborate with renowned architects, artists and designers.
With the creation of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives, the Maison Louis Vuitton marks a new stage in its quest for excellence and its support for emerging talent in the watchmaking industry.
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