Louis Vuitton Watch Prize
Louis Vuitton Watch Prize
Drawing the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize's first edition to a close, an exclusive award ceremony brought together the candidates, the jury, and the Committee of Experts for the grand reveal of this year's winner amongst prestigious guests at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris on February 6th, 2024. Celebrating creative talent, savoir-faire, and innovation, this exclusive award seeks to encourage artisans and entrepreneurs to strive as the future generations of watchmakers.
The Winner
Meet Raúl Pagès, the winner of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize's first edition with the exceptional RP1 - Régulateur à détente. Based in a small village in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, Raúl Pagès learned his trade as a restorer of watchmaking masterpieces before setting up his own business as an independent watchmaker in 2012.
A Customized Mentorship
Tailored to support his distinct endeavor, the year-long mentorship is a unique opportunity for Louis Vuitton Watch Prize winner Raúl Pagès to be accompanied by a dedicated team of experts from La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, enriched with the Maison's fields of expertise and watchmaking savoir-faire.
The Trophy
Echoing the exceptional savoir-faire performed in independent watchmaking, the trophy's unique form was inspired by a balance-spring — the essential component of the timepiece for precision. The sterling silver creation was hand-crafted in England and personalized with the winning watchmaker's name during the closing ceremony by a master engraver of La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton.
The Jury
Responsible for assessing the creations of the five finalists, a jury of five passionate representatives, elected by the Committee of Experts, took part in the final round of the contest — determining the winner of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize 2023-2024. Evaluating the finalists' creations against meticulous criteria, from design creativity to technical complexity, the jury selected the winning contestant based upon their unique aesthetic, skillful precision, and uncompromising savoir-faire.
The Ceremony
In attendance of the exclusive event, some of the world's leading watchmaking experts and industry representatives were welcomed at the award ceremony – with an outstanding musical performance from French pianist, Sofiane Pamart.
