t the heart of the watchmaking region, the Cartier Watchmaking Talents of Tomorrow Prize Ceremony, celebrated the excellence and creativity of seven young watchmaking apprentices and technicians hailing from France, Switzerland and Belgium.

For the 2024 edition – the 27^th of this trailblazing contest – applicants were invited to reinterpret the movement of the carriage clock, an emblematic creation of Cartier, on the theme of Magic of the Senses. After an initial selection, based on sketches, texts and presentation videos, the eleven selected finalists had eighty hours over a period of two months to complete their watchmaking project, with support from their mentor. Their talent resulted in some unique creations, illustrating technical prowess and creative audacity that brought to mind nature, automated figures and elevated everyday items. The ceremony, hosted by journalist, Cristina d’Agostino, took p

La Reine du Temps, by Marta Maziers

The ceremony, hosted by journalist, Cristina d’Agostino, took place at the prestigious Musée international d’horlogerie in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. On the night, six winners took home awards in the contest’s two categories: Apprentices and Technicians.

Marta Maziers, from the IATA in Namur, Belgium, won the first prize in the Apprentice category for her project entitled, La Reine du Temps; a watchmaking creation shining a light on the universe of bees and awakening all the senses.

Hugo Mandrillon, from the Lycée Edgar Faure in Morteau, France, won the first prize in the Technicians category for his creation, Œil du Temps, a telescope that draws inspiration from the sixth sense and plays with optical effects.

L’Oeil du Temps, by Hugo Mandrillon

For the first time, a Special Jury’s Prize was given to the edition’s top pick. Valentine Gredzynski, from the Lycée Edgar Faure in Morteau received the accolade for Tree, a strikingly real creation.

Each winner received a Cartier watch and will be invited to explore the Maison’s universe. The two first prize-winners have also been offered an internship.

The jury members took it in turn to present the awards; explaining their choices: Nathalie Marielloni, Assistant Curator of the Musée international d’horlogerie; Roy Davidoff, specialist in collection watches and co-founder of Roy & Sacha Davidoff SA; Pascal Ravessoud, Vice- President of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, specialist watchmaker and collector, Pascale Lepeu, Director of the Cartier Collection and Kari Voutilainen, an independent watchmaker.

Karim Drici, Cartier Manufacturing Director, stated: “this pioneering Prize, created in 1995 by the Cartier Watchmaking Institute, demonstrates the Maison’s commitment to stand alongside the men and women who wish to enter this compelling profession, and who will form the next generation of watchmakers” . The audience was then invited to meet the young, talented individuals and to discover their creations, that were on display for the occasion.

Tree, by Valentine Gredzynski

About the Prize

The Cartier Prize for Watchmaking Talents of Tomorrow was created in 1995 at the request of the Cartier Watchmaking Institute. Each year, the remarkable contest invites young, talented watchmakers to transform a movement based on a given theme, and rewards both technical and creative flair.

Originally open to third and fourth-year watchmaking students, in 2024 the award opened to a new applicant category, microtechnology students and first and second-year vocational training students. This year, Belgian students were also invited to apply alongside their Swiss, French and German counterparts. At the end of the prize-giving ceremony, three winners per category receive a prize. The call for applications for the 2025 edition of the contest will open next autumn.

Apprentice winners

• 1st prize: Marta Maziers, La Reine du Temps (IATA Namur)

Marta Maziers

• 2nd prize: Yann Mayer, Inverso (Hublot Training Centre)

Yann Mayer

Inverso, by Yann Mayer

• 3rd prize: Coline Riondet, Présentoir à Parfum (Lycée Edgar Faure de Morteau)

Coline Riondet

Le Présentoir à Parfum, by Coline Riondet

Technician winners

• 1st prize: Hugo Mandrillon, Œil du temps (Lycée Edgar Faure de Morteau)

Hugo Mandrillon

L’Oeil du Temps, by Hugo Mandrillon

• 2nd prize: Samuel Pauly, Nefertum (Lycée Jean Jaurès de Rennes)

Samuel Pauly

Nefertum, by Samuel Pauly

• 3rd prize: Simon Girard, Ballet Floral (Lycée Jean Jaurès de Rennes)

Simon Girard

Ballet Floral, by Simon Girard

Special Jury’s Prize for Creativity

• Valentine Gredzynski, Tree (Lycée Edgar Faure de Morteau)

Valentine Gredzynski

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