In its first year, the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives has been awarded to Raúl Pagès and his RP1 Régulateur à Détente. Selected by a five-person jury, the RP1 triumphed over five finalists, including Andreas Strehler with his Tischkalender Sympathique and Petermann Bedat and its Reference 2941 split-seconds chronograph.

A watchmaker, restorer, and automaton maker, Mr Pagès’ winning entry is a time-only wristwatch with a regulator-style display, and more importantly, a movement of his own design with a detent escapement.

Historically found in precision marine chronometers, detent escapements are highly accurate but typically not shock resistant, a problem Mr Pagès solved by taking inspiration from a 19th century escapement design. As a result, his escapement is shock resistant enough for everyday use in a wristwatch.

Besides technical features, the RP1 movement also boasts a high level of decoration that is artisanal in nature and accomplished by hand. The finishing, architecture, and construction are all classical in style, reflecting Mr Pagès experience as a restorer, most notably at Parmigiani, perhaps the most respected restoration workshop in Switzerland.

A drawing a traditional detent escapement (left), and the RP1 detent escapement

Tearing up as he gave his acceptance speech, Mr Pagès’ win is a milestone in a career that actually started over a decade ago. His skill and dedication were recognised by the jury, made up of Carole Forestier-Kasapi, head of movement development at TAG Heuer; collector and author Auro Montanari; watchmaker Rexhep Rexhepi; our founder Jiaxian Su; and jury president Michael Tay of The Hour Glass.

Mr Pages with the spiral trophy of the LV Watch Prize. Image – Louis Vuitton

As the winner, Mr Pagès receives a grant from Louis Vuitton, along with a one-year mentorship at La Fabrique du Temps, the Geneva manufacture owed by the luxury goods giant. He spoke of utilising the mentorship to further develop his brand, particularly since he will soon launch a wristwatch model powered by an all-new calibre.

The second Louis Vuitton Watch Prize will take place in 2026.