time-business


Louis Vuitton: a new Watch Prize for Independent Creatives

Français
December 2022


Louis Vuitton: a new Watch Prize for Independent Creatives

The Prize, to be awarded on a biennial basis, is open to all: watchmakers, designers, entrepreneurs, recent graduates, creatives from all around the world. Candidates may submit their creative projects from beginning of 2023 through the end of May 2023. The winner will be offered a grant as well as a one-year mentorship.

L

ouis Vuitton has announced the establishment of the “Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives”, to be awarded on a biennial basis.

Organized by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton in Geneva, the prize is founded on values inherent in the watchmaker’s passion for innovation and constant quest for excellence. Through this initiative, La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton intends to celebrate the creative talent, savoir-faire, and audacity of the independent watchmaking industry, to support and encourage artisans and entrepreneurs, and accompany future generations.

“Watchmaking is not a dormant industry; it is not inaccessible. Young generations of watch enthusiasts are passionate and want to see new innovations on the market. That is why we want to create this initiative at La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton,” said prize founder Jean Arnault, Director of Watches at Louis Vuitton. “This is a philanthropic and independent initiative to encourage watchmaking innovation and reward the best ideas in term of technical innovation and avant-garde but also the traditional savoir-faire.”

La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton preserves a unique approach to watchmaking and continues to operate like an independent manufacture. Built on a taste for innovation, audacity and savoir-faire, it is led by a team of master watchmakers who bring exceptional timepieces to life one by one, from beginning to end. It is in this ambition that La Fabrique du Temps has created Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creative.

Louis Vuitton: a new Watch Prize for Independent Creatives

The Prize is open to all: watchmakers, designers, entrepreneurs, recent graduates, creatives from all around the world. To evaluate their submissions, Louis Vuitton has convened a committee of 50 industry experts who share a passion for watchmaking innovation and creativity. The committee includes specialized journalists and experts, artisans, artists and collectors.

Candidates may register online on the dedicated Louis Vuitton Watch Prize website and submit their creative projects from beginning of 2023 through the end of May 2023.

In September 2023, Louis Vuitton organizers and a commission of international and independent watch experts will establish a shortlist of twenty semi-finalists, who will be revealed online.

In December 2023, the expert committee will select five finalists based on the following criteria: Design, Creativity, Innovation, Craftmanship and Technical complexity. They will also designate a five-member Jury among themselves to perform the final round of judging.

In January 2024, all five finalists for the Louis Vuitton Prize for Independent Creatives will be auditioned by the Jury in Paris. The winner will be announced at a special reception hosted by Louis Vuitton in their honor.

The winner of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives is offered a grant as well as a one-year mentorship by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, tailored to the needs of their creative project. A dedicated team will support the winner in multiple aspects, including communication, copyright and corporate legal aspects, as well as marketing, industrial strategy, and the financial management of a brand.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

The Europa Star Newsletter