n Paris, the Fondation Louis Vuitton resonated with the rhythm of watchmaking excellence as Hazemann & Monnin was named the winner of the prestigious second edition of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives. The evening ceremony and cocktail reception in Paris, attended by an esteemed community of experts, enthusiasts and iconic figures from the global watchmaking scene, celebrated a pivotal new chapter in the history of independent creativity.

Chosen from a distinguished group of five independent watchmakers from around the world, Hazemann & Monnin took home the second edition of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives. The prize was presented during a ceremony and cocktail reception at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris, attended by many of the world’s leading watchmaking experts and enthusiasts. An evening suspended in time culminated in à standout performance by Canadian singer-songwriter Charlotte Day Wilson.

“Winning the 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 transmit new ideas about watchmaking to those who will carry it forward after us” said Alexandre Hazemann and Victor Monnin of Hazemann & Monnin, Switzerland.

Hazemann & Monnin is an independent watchmaking company based in Switzerland. It was founded by Victor Monnin and Alexandre Hazemann, whose workshop has been officially operating since 2024. Their partnership, however, took root a decade earlier in the watchmaking program at the Edgar Faure high school in Morteau, France.

Since establishing their company, the two watchmakers have gradually expanded their in-house capabilities in design, prototyping, machining, finishing and assembly, with the aim of achieving true technical independence. Their first creation, the School Watch, features a movement with an instantaneous jumping hour and a passing chime, and comes in two distinct interpretations that each reflect the sensibility of its creator.

Hazemann’s version emphasizes technical expression with blue accents, while Monnin’s interpretation explores a more artistic approach, notably through the use of natural stone dials such as malachite and opal. “We wanted to create finishes that had real import, so that people can take the time to appreciate the entire mechanism,” notes Hazemann. Their upcoming timepiece will feature both names on the dial, affirming the identity of the house.

Launched in 2022, the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives is much more than an award: it embodies the House’s passion for excellence in savoirfaire. Organized and supported by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, the Prize is designed to support independent watchmakers, artisans and entrepreneurs as they open bold new horizons in watchmaking.

The second edition of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize drew a remarkable number of submissions from around the world, confirming the truly international dimension of this initiative. Freed of geographic boundaries, the Prize reaches beyond traditional centers of the craft to recognize independent watchmaking wherever it is practiced with distinction, regardless of nationality, origin or number of years’ experience.

A selection of 20 semifinalists was reviewed by a Committee of Experts comprised of 65 watch enthusiasts, experts and collectors from around the world. Candidates’ timepieces were evaluated according to five criteria: Design, Creativity, Innovation, Craftsmanship and Technical Complexity. Five finalists were selected to present their timepieces to the final jury on the morning of the ceremony. Louis Vuitton plays no role in selecting the winner; the decision rests solely with the independent jury.

In a deeply emotional gesture symbolizing the spirit of transmission at the heart of the Prize, Raûl Pagès, winner of the inaugural Louis Vuitton Watch Prize (2024), personally handed over the trophy to the new laureates, Alexandre Hazemann and Victor Monnin. The moment captured the gratitude and commitment of past winners to illuminate the path for those who follow. "Winning the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize in 2024 accelerated my path and gave me recognition for which | will forever be grateful,” said Raûl Pagès. “Awarding this trophy in turn is an equally great privilege, living proof that the Prize represents a vibrant community of independent watchmakers who support and illuminate one another.”

This edition’s five finalists — Xinyan Dai (Fam Al Hut, China), Alexandre Hazemann and Victor Monnin (Hazemann & Monnin, Switzerland), Bernhard Lederer (Lederer, Switzerland), Daizoh Makihara (Daizoh Makihara Watchcraft Japan, Japan) and Norifumi Seki (Quiet Club, Japan) — represent the remarkable diversity and creative vitality of contemporary watchmaking.

Their innovations range from Bernhard Lederer’s four decades of escapement mastery to the groundbreaking work of the fledgling Xinyan Dai, whose first submission arrived within a year of founding his brand. These diverse talents also brilliantly bridge centuries-old traditions, exemplified by Daizoh Makihara’s exquisite Japanese cutglass techniques, the intricate chimes crafted by Alexandre Hazemann and Victor Monnin, and Norifumi Seki’s innovative alarm system. Each submission was entirely its maker’s invention; a timepiece built to singular and exacting standards.

As the distinguished winner of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives, Hazemann & Monnin is awarded a scaled-down replica of the trophy, a grant of 150,000 euros and a comprehensive one-year personalized mentorship program. This tailormade mentorship, provided by expert watchmakers at La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton in Meyrin, Switzerland, and the team at Louis Vuitton, is carsfully structured to address the laureate’s individual needs. It also grants access to a dedicated network of specialists committed to fostering the winner’s ongoing development.

Thanks to the shared enthusiasm and collaborative spirit of independent watchmakers, the Prize has evolved into a vibrant community, with Louis Vuitton proudly serving as both facilitator and passionate patron. This biennial Prize is primarily sustained by Louis Vuitton’s ongoing collaborations with the renowned independent watchmakers on the Committee of Experts. Introduced by Jean Arnault in 2023, this series of limited editions forms a virtuous circle, allowing Louis Vuitton to spotlight their vision and celebrate the universe of independent watchmaking.

At the ceremony on March 24, Hazemann & Monnin received a graceful, spira-shaped silver-finish trophy, its rise a metaphor for the ascension of independent watchmaking. Inspired by the balance wheel, the essential component for precision in a timepiece, the trophy is a work of art in its own right. Hazemann & Monnin becomes the second watchmaker to have his name engraved on the trophy, which was presented in a specially designed trophy case in Monogram canvas, handmade by the artisans at the historic Louis Vuitton ateliers in Asnières, near Paris.

The winner was selected by a panel of five jury members, nominated by their peers in the Committee of Experts (in alphabetical order):

• Jury president>: Carole Forestier-Kasapi, Haute Horlogerie and Movements Strategy Director at TAG Heuer.
• Frank Geelen, CFO, executive editor and publisher of Monochrome Watches.
• Matthieu Hegi, Artistic Director of La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton.
• François-Xavier Overstake, founder and editor of Equation du Temps.
• Kari Voutilainen, owner and director of Artisan d’Horlogerie d’Art Voutilainen and administrator at Comblémine, a specialist in diakmaking and surface treatments.