Raúl Pagès emerged as the victor in the highly anticipated Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives, a prestigious award ceremony held at the Frank Gehry-designed art foundation on the outskirts of Paris. The event was attended by renowned watchmakers and top executives from LVMH, including chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault. Pagès was awarded a prize of €150,000 and a distinctive silver trophy presented in a Vuitton monogram print box.
Pagès impressed the judges with his creation, the RP1 – Régulateur à Détente, a manual-winding wristwatch made with stainless steel and featuring an in-house caliber. The watch embodies a unique blend of contemporary aesthetics and Brutalist design elements. Overwhelmed with emotion, Pagès expressed his gratitude to Louis Vuitton, Jean Arnault, and the other finalists. He also took a moment to profess his love for his wife, Nathalie.
The other finalists also showcased exceptional timepieces. Gaël Petermann and Florian Bédat presented the Petermann Bédat, demonstrating their prowess as independent watchmakers since 2017. Simon Brette’s Chronometre Artisans seamlessly combined neo-classical and art nouveau influences. John-Mikaël Flaux presented L’Abeille Mécanique, an astonishing silver and gold mechanical bee that featured a one-of-a-kind figurative mechanism and a poetic hours indicator in the shape of a “stinger.” Andreas Strehler and Enrico Santoni impressed with their mechanical perpetual desk calendar, Tischkalender Sympathique, adorned with lapis lazuli on a gilded brass frame.
Given the fierce competition, many were surprised by the victory of Pagès’ unassuming RPI watch. The director of watches at Louis Vuitton, Jean Arnault, revealed that over 1,000 applicants applied for the prize, with only 20 making it to the second round of selection. The finalists were assessed by a smaller jury based on design, creativity, innovation, craftsmanship, and technical complexity.
The distinguished jury panel consisted of notable figures such as Kim Jones, Marc Newson, Dick Steenman, Anita Porchet, Philippe Dufour, Denis Flageollet, and Evelyne Genta. The chosen timepieces were showcased in the grand lobby of Gehry’s architectural masterpiece, with Gehry himself participating as a member of the semi-finalist jury, which comprised 45 experts.
The award ceremony was hosted by Wei Koh, a well-known watch editor and enthusiast, who praised Jean Arnault for his transformative leadership in the industry. Koh expressed gratitude for the focus on watches in the award, rather than leather goods or fragrances. LVMH plans to host the Prize biennially, with the long-term vision of celebrating emerging talents. The competition is organized by La Fabrique du Temps, a division of Louis Vuitton based in Switzerland.
As the winner, Pagès will receive a year-long mentorship from La Fabrique du Temps, covering various aspects such as communications, copyright, corporate legal matters, marketing, industrial strategy, and financial management. Jean Arnault, the youngest child of LVMH Chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault, oversees the luxury conglomerate and holds the title of Europe’s wealthiest individual.
Useful links:
– Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives
– Frank Gehry-designed art foundation
