Louis Vuitton has revealed the five finalists and the jury panel for the 2025–26 edition of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives, an award celebrating innovation and craftsmanship in independent watchmaking. The finalists will compete for the top prize at a ceremony on March 24, 2026, in Paris

The five shortlisted watchmakers were selected from a global field of 20 semi-finalists judged by a Committee of Experts. Their creations combine traditional techniques with fresh design and technical ingenuity, highlighting the creativity found outside established watch

Finalists include Daizoh Makihara of Daizoh Makihara Watchcraft Japan with his nature-inspired “Beauties of Nature” timepiece, Fam Al Hut’s Xinyan Dai with the compact bi-axis tourbillon “Möbius,” and the Swiss duo Hazemann & Monnin for their “School Watch,” among others.

Also in the running are Bernhard Lederer with his dual detent escapement “CIC 39 mm Racing Green” and Quiet Club’s Norifumi Seki for his “Fading Hours” design, which prioritises everyday functionality alongside innovation.

The jury is led by Carole Forestier-Kasapi, haute horlogerie and movements strategy director at TAG Heuer, and includes journalist Frank Geelen, Louis Vuitton artistic director Matthieu Hegi, watch enthusiast François-Xavier Overstake and master watchmaker Kari Voutilainen.

The winner will receive €150,000 and a one-year tailored mentorship with experts from La Fabrique du Temps and Louis Vuitton, aimed at helping them develop their craft and grow their independent practice.

The Watch Prize underscores Louis Vuitton’s commitment to promoting independent talent and pushing boundaries in contemporary horology.