Finalist of the
Louis Vuitton Watch Prize
2025-2026
louis vuitton watch prize
Being named a finalist for the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize marks a defining milestone in Bernhard Lederer’s independent journey.
This distinction places Lederer among the most forward-thinking creators in contemporary watchmaking, recognizing a relentless commitment to innovation, integrity, and chronometric performance.
CIC 39 Racing Green
The CIC 39 mm represents a bridge between three centuries of horological science.
Inspired by Breguet and George Daniels, Bernhard Lederer brings to life the first fully functional Dual Detent Escapement in a wristwatch.
Refined in size yet uncompromising in performance, the CIC 39 mm embodies elegance on the outside and radical innovation within.
The CIC 39 mm represents a bridge between three centuries of horological science. Inspired by Breguet and George Daniels, Bernhard Lederer brings to life the first fully functional Dual Detent Escapement in a wristwatch. Refined in size yet uncompromising in performance, the CIC 39 mm embodies elegance on the outside and radical innovation within.
Bernhard Lederer has been developing for over 40 years an experimental approach to watchmaking, where each creation is based on a rigorous analysis of mechanical laws, horological history, and chrono-metric principles. He stands out through a constant commitment to reconciling historical knowledge with innovation, implementing an engineer-researcher methodology while honoring the foundations laid by master watchmakers such as Abraham-Louis Breguet and George Daniels.
At the heart of the CIC 39 mm lies Lederer’s patented Dual Detent Escapement with two remontoirs d’égalité. Composed of 212 hand-finished components, the calibre reveals its double gear trains and constant-force mechanisms through the open caseback. Each detail is polished, beveled, and decorated by hand, reflecting a pursuit of precision rarely achieved in modern watchmaking.
Entirely crafted in-house, the dial of the CIC 39 mm embodies the philosophy of LEDERER : discretion, precision, and elegance. Its design is defined by a single, meticulously executed aperture, offering a refined glimpse into the patented escapement, a window into the watch’s mechanical soul. The layered architecture of the overlapping sub-dials, with their inverted seconds, introduces both technical intrigue and poetic rhythm, allowing time to be read as much as it is felt.
Available in Deep Blue, Nordic Silver, Black Rhodium, or Racing Green, the CIC 39 mm offers a spectrum of personalities. Nordic Silver embodies purity and light, Black Rhodium conveys contemporary depth, Racing Green radiates bold vibrancy, while Deep Blue reflects serenity and timeless elegance. Far beyond mere color variations, these expressions reveal multiple identities of the same timepiece, each a distinct reflection of LEDERER’s artistry and horological mastery.
As the refined sibling of the CIC 44 mm, it preserves the elegance and artistry of its predecessor while offering a more compact and sophisticated expression.
Measuring 39 mm in diameter and only 10.75 mm thick, the case harmonizes graceful proportions with durability. Available in 5N rose gold, it features domed sapphire crystals on both sides, treated with double anti-reflective coating. These curved surfaces invite the eye to linger on the beauty of the dial and the intricacy of the movement, transforming every glance into an experience of discovery.
Sleek, comfortable, and versatile, the CIC 39 mm case not only safeguards its groundbreaking movement, but also ensures timeless wearability, embodying LEDERER’s philosophy of elegance in every detail.
LEDERER | Louis Vuitton Prize Semi-Finalist
Among hundreds of entries from around the world, LEDERER has been named one of the 20 semi-finalists for the prestigious Louis Vuitton Watch Prize.
This recognition highlights our dedication to pushing the boundaries of independent watchmaking, where innovation, craftsmanship, and artistic vision converge.
Member of the AHCI since 1985
Since 1985, LEDERER has been proud to be part of the Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI), an institution that brings together some of the world’s most visionary master watchmakers. This longstanding affiliation reflects our deep commitment to excellence, independence, and innovation in watchmaking.
LEDERER JOINS THE FONDATION DE LA HAUTE HORLOGERIE
Becoming a member of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH) marks a defining moment in the history of LEDERER. It is a recognition that transcends prestige, a moment that encapsulates 40 years of passion, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to authentic, independent watchmaking.
Timepieces
Each creation reflects the essence of LEDERER : mechanical ingenuity, timeless design,
and a deep respect for traditional watchmaking.
More than instruments of time, our timepieces are expressions of precision, elegance,
and innovation, crafted to be experienced, not just worn.
Meet the master
Press Voices
Manufacture
Nestled in the heart of Neuchâtel, our manufacture is more than a workshop, it is the birthplace of every LEDERER timepiece. Here, nearly every component, from the dial and hands to the indexes, and escapement, is crafted in-house with uncompromising attention to detail.
This rare level of vertical integration, 98% made entirely under our roof, allows us to push the boundaries of chronometric innovation while preserving the soul of traditional Swiss watchmaking.
Step inside our world, where precision meets poetry, and discover how each timepiece begins its life : not on an assembly line, but at the hands of artisans driven by excellence.
Chapter 1 :
CENTRAL IMPULSE CHRONOMETER
Every great story in watchmaking begins with a bold idea, and the Central Impulse Chronometer (CIC) is exactly that.
A mechanical revolution born from decades of research, the CIC is the spiritual and technical continuation of the work begun by Abraham-Louis Breguet and later refined by George Daniels. But where history left off, Bernhard Lederer pushed further, giving birth to an escapement unlike any other in modern horology.
Crowned with the GPHG Innovation Prize in 2021 and the Chronometry Prize in 2024, the CIC marks a defining first chapter in the LEDERER legacy. A movement that doesn’t just measure time, but rewrites its rules.
Bernhard Lederer
Behind every LEDERER timepiece stands a man whose lifelong pursuit has shaped some of the most refined innovations in modern watchmaking.
For over 40 years, Bernhard Lederer has navigated the vast seas of horological history and engineering, guided by a singular compass: the quest for mechanical truth. From his earliest creations to the award-winning Central Impulse Chronometer, his career is a testament to independent thinking, technical mastery, and a deep respect for time itself.
Widely regarded as the Master of Escapements, Bernhard Lederer is a visionary watchmaker, a tireless researcher, and a creator of future classics. He is not just building watches, he is building legacies.
Services
Returns and warranty
Every LEDERER is built to the highest standards of precision and durability. Should you ever need assistance, our return policy and international warranty ensure that your experience remains seamless and worry-free, from the first moment to every moment after.
After sales service
Each timepiece is built to last for generations, and so is our commitment to you. Whether for a simple adjustment or a full restoration, our dedicated watchmakers ensure that every creation receives the same level of care and precision as on its very first day.
Bespoke pieces
For those who seek something truly personal, we offer the possibility to create a unique piece, a watch that reflects your vision, your story, and your sense of time.
Manufacture visit
Some stories are best experienced in person. We welcome collectors, partners, and friends of the brand to our workshop in Neuchâtel, a place where time is not only measured, but crafted.
Retailers
There is nothing quite like discovering a LEDERER timepiece in person, feeling the weight, observing the movement, and listening to the rhythm of its escapement as it pulses with life.
Our carefully selected retail partners share our commitment to excellence and offer the perfect setting to experience our creations.