Louis Vuitton Watch Prize jury revealed

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
Apr 18, 2023

The Louis Vuitton Watch Prize has revealed the composition of its jury, a wide ranging group that includes architect Frank Gehry and designers Kim Jones and Marc Newson.

The jury – or committee of experts - in the debut prize of the watch award features artisans, specialists, journalists, collectors, fashion insiders and even a chef - Maxime Frédéric, pastry chef of the Cheval Blanc Paris. It even ranges to noted editors and watch enthusiasts like Nick Foulkes and Wei Koh. Their common denominator - the passion of watches. 
 
These experts will convene in September 2023 to review submissions for the Prize and establish a shortlist of 20 semi-finalists, which will be revealed online. All told, there were some 700 applicants for the inaugural LVMH Watch Prize. Half as many as the applicants for the long-running LVMH Prize for fashion talent, but an impressive figure nonetheless.

Subsequently, in December 2023, the experts will select five finalists based on the following criteria: design, creativity, innovation, craftmanship and technical complexity, according to a release.
 
“They will decide on who has the best ideas both for design and for technical craftmanship,” said Prize founder Jean Arnault, the fourth son of Bernard Arnault, CEO and controlling shareholder of LVMH, the world’s largest luxury conglomerate. 
 
The debut list of experts also includes master engraver Dick Steenman; master enameller Anita Porchet; two master watchmakers Philippe Dufour and Denis Flageollet; and Evelyne Genta, who is listed as the ambassador of the principality of Monaco to the UK and to the Republic of Kazakhstan.
 
LVMH plan to stage the Prize competition on a biennial basis starting this year. Its long-term goal is to celebrate emerging talents. The competition is organized by La Fabrique du Temps – or Time Factory - Louis Vuitton, based in Switzerland.
 
“Tomorrow’s watchmaking industry will be built upon the diversity of actors and their innovative power: independent watchmaking will be key to challenging the rules of the game and opening new frontiers,” added Jean Arnault, director of watches at Louis Vuitton.
 
They will also designate a five-member jury from their ranks to perform the final round of judging. 
 
The winner will be announced at a ceremony hosted by Louis Vuitton in Paris in January 2024 and offered a grant of 150,000 euros as well as a year’s tailored-made mentorship by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton. Covering advice from professionals in communications, copyright, corporate legal aspects, marketing, industrial strategy, and financial management.