By The Fashion Editorial Team
Louis Vuitton announces the highly anticipated twenty semi-finalists for its second edition of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives. The prize, established in collaboration with La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, celebrates the next generation of independent watchmakers from around the world. Last season, Raúl Pagès, was awarded the Prize for his innovative RP1 and so now the Committee returns to spotlight more exceptional talent in the world of horology. With hundreds of candidates considered, the twenty semi-finalists were determined by an expert panel who evaluate based on how independent watchmakers transform a singular vision into mechanical artistry.
"This new generation of watchmakers is remarkable not only for their talent, but above all for daring to create truly original instruments of precision that are also works of art. The bold creations of the semi-finalists for the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize are a testament to this spirit. In their hands, watchmaking becomes an expression of pure creativity, each timepiece a testament to uncompromising craftsmanship and unique vision,” expressed, Jean Arnault, Louis Vuitton Watch Director.
In the fall, the Prize's Committee of sixty-five experts will convene to evaluate submissions based on the timepiece's design, creativity and audacity, details and finishes, complexity, and technical innovation. The Committee will also select five finalists for the Jury. The five member Jury as well as the five finalists for the Prize will be announced on December 15.
Next year, on March 24, the finalists will appear in Paris to present their masterpieces to the final Jury members who will interview finalists and ultimately determine the winner of the Prize's second edition. The winner will be announced in the evening at a ceremony at La Fondation Louis Vuitton. The Prize includes a grant of 150,000 euros and one year of mentorship tailored to the need of their creative project by experts from La Fabrique du Temps and Louis Vuitton.
The twenty semi-finalists and their submitted creations for the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives are as follows (in alphabetical order, by brand name):
Anton Suhanov - St. Petersburg Easter Egg Tourbillon Clock
JN Shapiro - Resurgence
Auffret Paris - Giverny « Blue Train »
David Candaux - DC6 Titanium
Lederer - CIC 39mm Racing Green
Fam Al Hut - Mobiüs
Hazemann & Monnin - Hazemann & Monnin School Watch
Kallinich Claeys - Einser Central Seconds "Hong Kong Edition"
Fabian Pellet - Essentiel
Kudoke - KUDOKE 5
Behrens - KUNG FU
Quiet Club - Fading Hours
Reuben Schoots - Series Two
Tasaki - Face Of Tasaki "Black Mother Of Pearl"
Daizoh Makihara - Beauties Of Nature
Masa & Co. - SOHKOKU
Mgraver - Ventrallis
Mineroci - RD002
Petermann Bédat - Seconde Morte
Winnerl - The Tremblage Dial