Louis Vuitton Celebrates Independent Watchmaking: Raúl Pagès Wins Inaugural Watch Prize
In a commendable effort to promote and support the art of independent watchmaking, Louis Vuitton has announced Raúl Pagès as the winner of its first-ever Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives. The prestigious biennial award, established to recognize innovation, audacity, and savoir-faire in independent watchmaking, was presented in a grand ceremony on February 6th, 2024, at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris.
Swiss watchmaker Raúl Pagès, from Neuchâtel, Switzerland, emerged victorious with his RP1 – Régulateur à détente. The winning timepiece, a manual-winding wristwatch crafted in stainless steel, demonstrates Pagès’ profound skill and dedication to the craft. Notably, he constructs around four watches annually, meticulously handling every aspect from design to assembly.
The prize, initiated by Jean Arnault, Director of Watches at Louis Vuitton, aims to spotlight the excellence in watchmaking and savoir-faire. Backed by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, this initiative is a beacon for the future generation of watchmakers. The competition welcomed nearly 1,000 submissions globally, judged by an international committee of watch experts on criteria including design, creativity, technical innovation, and complexity.
Raúl Pagès was honored with a spiral-shaped silver trophy, symbolizing the ascent of independent watchmaking, accompanied by a Louis Vuitton trophy trunk. This unique recognition not only highlights Pagès’ remarkable craftsmanship but also grants him a year-long mentorship by experts at La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, providing an unparalleled opportunity for creative and commercial growth in the realm of independent watchmaking.
