ad Kozh is a Geneva based non-profit association whose mission is to preserve and pass on watchmaking savoir-faire. At the heart of this mission lies a simple conviction: the watchmaking of tomorrow is being built today, with the people who will bring it to life. The Tad Kozh New Talent Award was created for them. It is open to young independent watchmakers and offers them what is often most lacking when starting out: tools, guidance and visibility.

The organisers readily admit that they were very pleasantly surprised. The Tad Kozh New Talent Award had only just been launched when the applications started coming in. In total, 16 young watchmakers submitted their application, representing no fewer than 11 different nationalities.

Six of these nationalities reached the final: a Belgian, a Frenchman, an Englishman, an American, a Hongkonger and a Finn. Six paths, six horizons, one shared passion. A fine reminder, if one were needed, that the love of watchmaking knows no borders.

The finalists:

• Thibault Claeys, Belgium
• Arthur Kallmeyer, France
• Michael Rose, United States
• Alexander Downing, England
• Reima Koivukoski, Finland
• Tsz San Lam, Hong Kong

A final at the workbench

After carefully reviewing the application files, the organisers felt it was essential to see the finalists at work. However rich an application may be, it never tells the whole story. On 3 October, five of the six finalists therefore sat down at the workbench for a full day of technical tests: a decoration test, followed by the disassembly, adjustment and reassembly of a movement. All of these tests were carried out on the Sellita SW200 movement. Reima Koivukoski was unfortunately unable to attend. The organisers send him their warmest thoughts and look forward to seeing him again very soon.

These tests allowed the members of the jury present to assess each finalist’s technical mastery, but also something more subtle: the way they conduct themselves at the bench. Precision of gesture, organisation, patience, composure in the face of difficulty. All qualities that make a watchmaker, and that no application file can fully reveal. This final is thus the natural and necessary counterpart to the selection based on application files.

Alongside Marc-André Deschoux, President of the jury, were Roy Davidoff and Emilien Reverchon, joined by Sébastien Billières of Genus, as well as Tiffany To and Didier Bretin. The latter two represented, by proxy, the members of the jury who were unfortunately unable to attend the final.

“For its first edition, the Tad Kozh initiative has succeeded in bringing together a panel of young watchmakers from all four corners of the world, which perfectly reflects the enthusiasm of the new generations for this mechanical art that we are so passionate about. Being able to reward them with means that will help them in their development can only be applauded, and we wish them all every success in their respective endeavours.” Marc-André Deschoux, President of the jury

The 2026 winners:

• Michael Rose, United States
• Thibault Claeys, Belgium

Each of the two winners receives a Schaublin 70 lathe and a Hauser jig borer, two benchmark machines for an independent watchmaker’s workshop; two weeks of training on these machines with Luc Monnet; the guidance of two mentors, Jean-François Mojon on the technical side and Pietro Tomajer on the business side; the opportunity to present their project to the collectors who support Tad Kozh.

More than a prize, Tad Kozh wishes to offer its winners a complete environment: the right tools, the knowledge to use them, experienced eyes to guide them, and enthusiasts ready to believe in their work.

“When we launched the New Talent Award, we were hoping for a few applications. We received sixteen, from eleven countries. Seeing these young watchmakers gathered at the workbench, focused and generous in their craft, was a true moment of wonder for us. Tad Kozh exists for them.” Baudouin van Es, Co-founder and Director of Tad Kozh