Aimed at promoting independent watchmaking, the competition was open to independent designers, artisans, and watchmaking entrepreneurs from all around the world. The prize comprised not only a financial grant and a year of coaching by multidisciplinary professionals, but also, as the five finalists mentioned on stage, an incredible global spotlight on their small-scale activities.
Over a thousand entries arrived at the Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, which had set extremely precise criteria: Design and aesthetics, creativity and audacity, technical innovation, details and finishing, and complexity. Around 100 entries were shortlisted and then analyzed by a committee of international experts, who then selected five finalists. Each finalist then defended their creations in front of a jury of five international specialists, chaired by Michael Tay, CEO of The Hour Glass group. The well-paced and convivial awards ceremony then brought together the watchmaking community at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris, crowning Raùl Pagès who was visibly moved to tears. He congratulated the other nominees: Petermann Bédat, Simon Brette, John-Mikaël Flaux, and Andreas Strehler.
With the passionate and dedicated director of Louis Vuitton Horlogerie, Jean Arnault unveiling the prize, a new chapter is opening up for this new activity launched by the luxury giant and its highly creative Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, which is associated with the initiative. This paradigm shift was illustrated last year by the radical move upmarket in Louis Vuitton watches and the collaboration with Akrivia. This LV Watch Prize in favour of small independents is most definitely starting to attract the attention of collectors. No doubt other initiatives are in the pipeline to amplify the momentum. Nearly two centuries ago, the young Louis Vuitton founded his brand of trunks, which his son George went on to develop spectacularly. It may well be that Jean will be to watchmaking what Georges was to Louis Vuitton’s original business and history will repeat itself.
