Hazemann & Monnin, the Swiss independent watchmaking atelier founded by Alexandre Hazemann and Victor Monnin, has been named the winner of the second edition of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives, one of the most prestigious and forward-looking awards in contemporary horology. The prize was presented on March 26, 2026, at a ceremony held at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris, attended by a distinguished community of timepiece experts, collectors, and enthusiasts.
A Prize Built to Champion Independent Watchmaking
The Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives was launched in 2022 by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, the Maison’s dedicated high watchmaking atelier. The prize was created to celebrate daring, innovation, and exceptional savoir faire in watchmaking, with a specific focus on supporting independent watchmakers, artisans, and entrepreneurs who are pushing the boundaries of the craft rather than operating within established industry frameworks.
In a moment rich with symbolism, the award was formally presented to Hazemann & Monnin by Raúl Pagès, the first edition’s laureate, creating what Louis Vuitton described as “an unforgettable moment of transmission” between two generations of independent horology. The gesture underlines the prize’s philosophy: that excellence in watchmaking is not a destination but a living, evolving conversation passed between practitioners.
Five Finalists, One Winner
Hazemann & Monnin was selected from a distinguished shortlist of five internationally renowned watchmakers. The other four finalists were Daizoh Makihara Watchcraft Japan (Japan), Fam Al Hut, Lederer, and Quiet Club, a group that collectively reflects the true geographic and creative breadth of independent watchmaking today. The selection of Hazemann & Monnin as the winner signals the jury’s conviction that the Swiss duo’s approach, spanning the full spectrum from movement conception to the decoration of every individual component, represents one of the most complete and coherent visions in independent horology.
What the Recognition Means
Alexandre Hazemann and Victor Monnin said, “Winning this second edition of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize represents a profound recognition of what our atelier is and what we want it to become. From the conception of movements to the decoration of every component, this honor affirms an approach we believe in. It also gives us the means to go further: to strengthen an independent house and pass on new ideas about watchmaking to those who will carry it forward tomorrow.”
For a small independent atelier, the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize provides not just recognition but resources, visibility, and a platform that can meaningfully accelerate what would otherwise be a slow, painstaking path through an industry dominated by large conglomerates. For Louis Vuitton, the prize reinforces the Maison’s identity as a genuine patron of craft, one that uses its platform to elevate the watchmaking ecosystem rather than simply competing within it.
Why Independent Watchmaking Is Having a Moment
The timing of this prize edition resonates with a broader cultural shift in how collectors and enthusiasts are engaging with horology. Independent watchmakers are increasingly seen as the creative vanguard of the industry, producing timepieces that carry a level of individual vision, hand-executed craft, and philosophical depth that large-scale manufacture cannot easily replicate. Louis Vuitton‘s decision to sustain and grow this prize is a sophisticated positioning move, aligning the Maison with the values of craft autonomy and creative courage at a moment when those values carry growing weight among the world’s most discerning collectors.
