Louis Vuitton is continuing to make a stronger statement in the world of high watchmaking.
The Maison has announced that three Louis Vuitton creations have been selected for the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève 2026, alongside a creation from DANIEL ROTH. Often considered one of the most important awards in contemporary watchmaking, the GPHG celebrates exceptional design, mechanical innovation and traditional craftsmanship.
The Escale Worldtime Flying Tourbillon has been nominated in the Tourbillon category, while the Tambour Taiko Arty Automata has been selected in Artistic Crafts. The LVDB-03 Sympathique Louis Varius, created with independent Swiss watchmaker De Bethune, has also been nominated in the Mechanical Clock category.
But one of the most interesting names on the list is DANIEL ROTH.
Founded in 1988 by master watchmaker Daniel Roth, the Maison is considered an important pioneer of modern independent watchmaking. Roth became particularly known for his love of the tourbillon and for creating the brand’s distinctive double-ellipse case, a shape that combined traditional watchmaking with a highly recognisable design identity.
After a period away from the spotlight, DANIEL ROTH was revived in 2023 with the support of La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, the watchmaking manufacture behind Louis Vuitton’s high-horology creations. The revival has focused on preserving the original spirit of the Maison: discreet design, traditional craftsmanship and serious mechanical watchmaking.
For the 2026 GPHG, the DANIEL ROTH Extra Plat Rose Gold Skeleton has been nominated in the Essential category. The watch represents the newer chapter of the Maison, combining its signature double-ellipse form with an open, skeletonised movement.
Together, these four nominations show something bigger than a fashion Maison simply making watches.
Louis Vuitton is building a wider world around high watchmaking, bringing together technical complications, artistic craftsmanship, mechanical objects and the heritage of independent watchmakers.
For a brand once primarily associated with trunks and travel, that evolution is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
By Shubham Kumar
